I have a horse who would really benefit from bitless riding. She’s the first horse I’ve ever ridden that I am sure she just abhors a bit in her mouth…sensitive little soul. Any word on whether that is something that may be an option for us in the future?
There are people trying by writing etc.
You may have to change the judging, as how a horse performs by working into the hand by accepting contact thru the bit in a very specific manner is part of what is being judged today.
Can be done, is it traditional enough for today’s dressage?
The powers that be would have to decide that.
In bitless classes maybe. More likely in “Western dressage”.
I believe it is allowed in Western dressage already and there are schooling shows out there that allow it.
For “real” dressage it would mean a complete turnaround on what acceptance of the bit / acceptance of the contact means. The bit plays such a key role in this fundamental concept, I don’t see how bitless could be considered acceptable.
It would require a major rewriting of the rules.
I don’t see it happening. The bit is part of dressage rules for competition.
There is absolutely nothing preventing you from riding your horse bitless and doing as much dressage as you want. You just can’t show in USEF or most other competitions.
It sure might change. They have. With the move where a lot of people want to do this, it is something that might be in the future.
It used to be illegal to show a blind horse. Luckily for me, they changed the rules.
Rules change all of the time. It might not be in time for you and your horse, though.
Try Working Equitation…bitless allowed and they have a dressage phase.
You could always ride hors concours.
Bitless dressage is like jumping classes without jumps. Total nonsense.
One cannot have correct contact without a bit, so I certainly hope traditional dressage never accepts bitless bridles.
There are so many misconceptions about the bitless movement. They are no more inherently kind to a horse than a bit as the kindness of everything depends on the hands that hold it.
The key is to find the right bit.
[QUOTE=Equibrit;8861182]
Bitless dressage is like jumping classes without jumps. Total nonsense.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Dressagelvr;8861187]One cannot have correct contact without a bit, so I certainly hope traditional dressage never accepts bitless bridles.
…
The key is to find the right bit.[/QUOTE]
Why not tell that to Uta Gräf…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5XUq56P_I0
[QUOTE=Foxtail;8860809]
You could always ride hors concours.[/QUOTE]
Not at any show following USEF rules. Hors concours simply means the score is not posted or recorded. All other USEF rules (saddlery, drugs, etc) must still be followed.
Uta Graf’s horse was trained in the conventional way, and is then, once at an advanced level already, ridden bitless while schooling.
Personally I love the feeling of a made mouth, but can see when there has been damage that bitless might work.
Compared to heavy handed riding off the curb rein, there can be more pleasurable rides bitless, as long as it is light in the bridle.
I see lots of options for the future. If you can get her working well without a bit, by all means do so! Maybe at some point when she matures she’ll accept something very minimal in her mouth (the metals like Neue Schule makes? something in soft rubber?) that will satisfy the judges.
(I like the vid of Alizée Froment someone posted a while back, where she rides a dressage test to completion, then removes the bridle altogether and rides it again, every movement the same as the first time.)
(Also there’s one where P. Torres rides a WE without bridle or neckband, arms folded across his middle).
[QUOTE=pluvinel;8861210]
Why not tell that to Uta Gräf…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5XUq56P_I0[/QUOTE]
She’s not doing a dressage test.
[QUOTE=alicen;8861994]
She’s not doing a dressage test.[/QUOTE]
So apparently dressage only happens while doing a dressage test?
I think for most riders bit less dressage would not be a good idea. Bitless bridle wear can be very severe. Hackamores have quite a bit of leverage, and certain popular bit less brides right now don’t release pressure fast enough when using them. On top of this, the pressure of the bit less bridle moves from the mouth to the poll and nose, which can give a false contact, and leverage isn’t allowed at the lower levels of dressage.
There is only one design of bit less bridle I could see possibly working, but the bridle has a small poll pressure, which would not be allowed to the lower levels. I just can’t really see how it would work out.
And that is coming from someone who also does jumpers in a hackamore 
I ride in a bit because I show and have to. I’ve been through dozens and dozens of bits and she’ll ride in one beautifully because she’s obedient but she’s never 100% comfortable in one. She’s got a funny shaped mouth and she prefers to be bitless. I had never ridden bitless before, I’m not a “bitless advocate” and I’m not a mushy “bits are cruel” person either. I think for most horses bits are just fine. But honestly, aside from the fussing with the bit in her mouth periodically she rides exactly the same with it or without it. She’s on the aids, up over her back, in self carriage and there is zero difference. She can collect and extend with ease. She’s light in my hand and responsive to the slightest half halts. She’s in a side pull so there is no leverage. As someone who can ride either way I seriously can’t find a single reason they are required other than a technical term “on the bit” I believe is taken entirely too literally. On the aids is a much better way to describe what should be going on when you’re doing dressage. If a piece of metal in the mouth is a necessity for a horse to be round and working up over their back then, honestly, I think you’re doing it wrong. The bit should just be there to help communicate and channel energy back to the hind legs. The exact same thing can be accomplished without it. I can’t find a single thing in trying it both ways that has swayed my opinion on that. I think bits should be optional. If you prefer a bit, great! Have at it! If your horse prefers bitless, by all means, if you can do the test and the movements good on you. I couldn’t care less. But I can’t find one reason why they are a requirement. Leverage hackamores, like leverage bits, of course shouldn’t be allowed, but regular bitless bridles should be perfectly legal in my opinion. I know my pony would be thrilled. And until I come across something that requires a piece of metal in her mouth to accomplish where we are at in dressage I will stand firmly by my opinion. But I don’t think I’m ever going to find something that we can’t do bitless. I will certainly report back if I do.
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[QUOTE=pluvinel;8862145]
So apparently dressage only happens while doing a dressage test?[/QUOTE]
This thread is about competition, not the fabulous moments we have in our backyards.
