Comments on: Bitless Bridle

By: Ramsey

Ramsey — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 05:17:33 +0000

i used to ride my horse in a bit. He had no problem with it. But one day at a show a little incident happened, nothing serious. But my trainer put a hackamore on my horse. And let me tell you it made all the difference. And I know not all horses can be ridden without a bit.

By: Ramsey

Ramsey — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 05:10:26 +0000

couldnt agree more

By: Diana

Diana — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 19:35:08 +0000

Bit or bitless, the horse needs to be properly trained using natural horsemanship methods. I have a friend who rides bitless because she is “too heavy handed” ….. she needs to learn not to be heavy handed. You can inflict pain with bitless bridles & rope halters with heavy hands too!

By: louisa esterhuizen

louisa esterhuizen — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 20:41:47 +0000

I have a arab, she is 4 yrs old. She is not broken yet. I have a very good solid bond with her, I would like to try and ride her bitless. Where do I start, or shall I say how?

By: FranR

FranR — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 23:07:37 +0000

Hi to all.
Just some observations from my own personal experience. I have ridden with the simple snaffle,thru a port with my open jumper, a Bosel with a QH, a rubber bit with a 3yr old Missouri Fox Trotter, to bareback with nothing in cheyene’s mouth.
I believe each horse is different and their needs and comfort come first. That said, I believe that too many people who claim to care about horses want the McDonalds quick fix so they can get the blue ribbon and be the star. Those people shouldn’t own a pet rock
I had an English trainer for 11 years-my TB was the Open jumper champ for 5 years-I rode him on a port- but I have SOFT hands, thus he never was hurt or in pain from me.I can’t say the same about some of my competors.
I ride my Morgan bareback with a halter and 2 lead lines-he gets my cues from my touches, my legs and my voice-we are one.
I had my Gypsy Vanner trained by voice, touch , leg and weight shift. At 6 yrs old, he is the best!
Each rider and horse is different-we all are learning each day-it still takes time and patience to attain our goals.
I believe both types of headgear have a place in the horse world as long as the hands holding the reins are soft.
Good riding!

By: jules

jules — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 02:00:55 +0000

In reply to Ross. Thank you Ross for saying the truth about control of our equine friends. It is in the brain and not the mouth.

By: Susan Wolfson

Susan Wolfson — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 21:21:19 +0000

In reply to Samantha. :roll: A bit doesn't make you safe. A trained horse is the difference. Sometimes the horse is running away from the bit. Many of us have had this happen and had a transformation when we take away the bit and use a bosal, a rope halter, or a bitless bridle. The disaster is that some people do not understand this. Its your loss and the loss for any horse that needs to go bitless that you might encounter. :roll:

By: Susan Wolfson

Susan Wolfson — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 21:18:11 +0000

In reply to resa62004. She should back with you on the ground first. You should work her in a rope halter, doing lots of ground work. Then you should try riding her in the rope halter. There are videos on the internet showing how to do this and the progression of training.

By: Susan Wolfson

Susan Wolfson — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 21:15:59 +0000

At 16 my Dad bought me a running quarter horse. He had been use as a pace horse for the track. His deal was he ran away with everyone and would dump them off. The cowboys at the barn where we boarded (military base) had me use a snaffle bit and draw reins to manage him. He never threw me but I NEVER let him get faster than a slow canter He always felt like he wanted to run away and did with several others. One guy taking care of him while I was away, put a harsher bit in his mouth and got thrown into the barn wall and hospitalized. I don’t know why I kept this horse but it was all I had and he and I bonded. I could ride him and manage him even if no one else could. Then, a guy showed up, looking for a horse to ride occasionally and offered training and lessons in exchange. I made the deal. This was back in mid 1970s and this guy was training natural horsemanship. He took off the snaffle and draw reins, I had been using for over 4 years. He put on a bosal with a mecate and worked with my horse getting him over his fears. The horse was a different animal. I could ride him anywhere, he didn’t try to run away with me or this other guy. Then we started riding him in a tom thumb for shows as bosals were not allowed and a kimberwick for English. This horse went on to be a long term great ride and eventually a horse I taught lessons on. I still have the bosal and have found only one horse that couldn’t be ridden in it. She was tramatized and injured by a trainer using one to tie her head down and I couldn’t even get it on her. Point is, the bit is not what stops the horse. A bit can cause problems and bad habits can develop in the horse and rider. The horse stops because they respect the rider.

By: Lea

Lea — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 15:30:33 +0000

In reply to Samantha.

I find it so very interesting how pro-bit folks will often say that being bitless in an emergency situation is so irresponsible, while in the same breath insisting “if you have soft hands…” How does one control a panicked horse with “soft hands”, pray tell…?! No way around it but to crank up the heat through their mouth if they’re relying on the bit to control the horse in an emergency situation. In my 48 years, I’ve never been on or witnessed a panicked horse that responded well to added pain. Especially in the sensitive bars or roof of their mouth. ‘Nuff said.