Bitless bridles pros and cons? Well they have gained popularity as an alternative to traditional bridles with bits, offering a more humane approach to communication between horse and rider.
Yes bitless bridles come with their advantages, but thier are downsides too. It’s essential to consider both the pros and cons of bitless bridles because of every horse is different.
Bitless bridle pros and cons – the pros:
- Comfort for the Horse:One of the primary advantages of bitless bridles is the potential for increased comfort for the horse. Bitless bridles eliminate the pressure and potential pain associated with a bit in the horse’s mouth, providing a more natural and less restrictive experience.
- Clear Communication: Bitless bridles rely on cues from the nose, jaw, and poll areas, promoting clearer communication between the rider and the horse. This can be especially beneficial for riders who prioritize a responsive and intuitive connection with their horses.
- Less Risk of Mouth Injuries: Traditional bits can cause mouth injuries, including cuts, bruises, and abrasions. Bitless bridles eliminate this risk, offering a more gentle option for horses with sensitive mouths or those prone to mouth issues.
- Suitable for Certain Riding Disciplines: Bitless bridles are often favored in disciplines such as trail riding, natural horsemanship, and endurance riding. They can provide better control in situations where riders need to communicate effectively with their horses without the potential discomfort associated with bits.
- Enhanced Trust and Bond: Some horse owners and trainers believe that using bitless bridles can foster a stronger bond and trust between the rider and the horse. Without the discomfort of a bit, horses may associate riding with a more positive experience.
Bitless bridle pros and cons – the cons:
- Different Learning Curve: Riders and horses accustomed to traditional bridles with bits may experience a learning curve when transitioning to bitless bridles. Adjusting to new cues and signals can take time for both parties.
- Limited Control in Certain Situations: Bitless bridles may offer less precise control in specific situations, such as high-intensity sports like show jumping or dressage, where fine-tuned communication is crucial. Riders should carefully assess the specific demands of their chosen discipline.
- Not Universally Accepted: Bitless bridles may not be allowed in certain competitive equestrian disciplines, as many organizations have specific rules requiring the use of traditional bridles with bits. Riders intending to compete should check the rules of their chosen discipline.
- Potential for Miscommunication: While bitless bridles aim to enhance communication, some horses may find the cues confusing or unclear. Riders must be knowledgeable about the specific mechanics of the bitless bridle they choose and be skilled in using it effectively.
- Limited Availability and Options: Depending on the location and equestrian community, riders may find limited availability of bitless bridle options compared to traditional bridles. This can make it challenging to find the right fit for a particular horse.
The choice depends on the individual horse, rider preferences, and the intended use. Careful consideration of the pros and cons, as well as an understanding of the horse’s needs and your skill level will help you decide.
Seth”
A big thanks to Seth for sharing – please do leave a comment below if you can add to the bitless bridle pros and cons – it’s a very popular topic on the blog.
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Actually, a bit should not inflict pain if used correctly. Contact with the mouth should be light, steady and elastic, not pulling on the mouth, and should encourage the horse to reach forwards and take the bit. Downward transitions and cues to slow down are dominated by the seat, not the hands of the rider. This means that to achieve a slower pace the seat is used mainly instead of yanking the mouth. And steering is mainly in the legs; the reins are an aid for balancing and bending. Yes, a bitless bridle may help and yes, a bit can be used to inflict pain. But the point is, a bit is not a terribly horrible and inhumane torture device used to abuse horses like you make it sound.
@Lena…This is true, but it takes an experienced rider to know how much pressure to use and to have this kind of knowledge about proper use of the bit.
But, there are thousands of people that think “hey I should buy a horse!” without knowing anything about horses and riding. And they unknowingly cause pain out of ignorance/lazy riding because they don’t know any better.
In the right hands a bit can be useful, but a bitless bridle can be just as effective.
I have a handful of horses, I used to ride with a bit, but after switching to a bitless bridle (with proper training to do the switch, and a tree-less saddle) my horses are now more sensitive to light touch and are extremely easily manouverable.
Plus they are happier due to no pain at all, and are much more willing to do whatever!
I use a bitless bridle on my horse, but I also believe in a soft bit as well. They respond quicker with a bit, but some horses don’t need them. If I were an inventer I would create a bit that had some type of a hard rubber bit, not steel, just hard enough to send him the signal to respond to what you are asking him to do. Also, if you use a bitless bridle they still have to be taught to respect you, they need to be taught it doesn’t give them the okay to do what ever they wish to do. Words are the best comand signals plus a little nudge with you foot. My horse does fine with his bitless, but I have had other horses that tested me every time I rode. All in all, I think it really depends on the horse.
I agree with Lena. Jerking or pulling to quickly may cause the horse to dislike the bit, but if used along with leg, seat, or voice commands the bit will not hurt a horse. Also, what if your horse doesn’t stop when you use a bitless bridle? Should you try with a bit?
Hi yes bits can be used “nicley” in the right hands but how many bad hands is there out there? millions! every jumping day pony club day ect is full of yanking pulling see sawing on horses mouths. I have a dr cook bit less bridle and love my arab took to it straight away and for any one worried i have the same amount of control as i did with a bit as i do now. my horse collects up beautifully in it no problems at all. People always stop me saying oh you dont have a bit and he is going so well . um yes my horse is happy so of course he goes well. give it a try please every one. Why do we need double bridles in dressage and showing is my big question ? is one bit not enough just so cruel then you often see a blue tongue sticking out the side that cant be nice.
Of course there are ‘bad hands’ out there, and I am most definitely NOT against bitless bridles. I do think they are a wonderful idea; however, I am not against bits either. I personally do not believe that there is any need whatsoever for stronger bits, and the same effects can (and should) be achieved with a simple snaffle as could be achieved with a strong dressage bit. My point is simply that I do not think the bit itself is cruel, it is the hands of the rider that can be cruel. And I quote, “It’s a crude method of control that inflicts pain”… this I do not agree with. Used correctly, a bit should not inflict pain at all. If it did, why do well trained horses learn to seek contact 100% willingly?
The bit is only hurting the horse because her reins are way to short. If she would have a softer hand and give the horse a little more rein the horse would be fine.I think the bitless is a good idea but they both feel okay to the horse in the right hands.
Well in the video you can tell right away that the rider has their reins to short & could have been using their body more to cue the horse. I am 14 & have broke three horses befor using a bit & leg cues. I have never had a problem with them throwing their heads or anything. I have a bit less bridle that I use on my Reining horse but my Working horse hates it. But the many thing is bits aren’t as bad as you make them to be & in the right hands are not harsh at all to the horse.
Are you even allowed to show your horse in a bitless bridle? I don’t think you are, & that’d be a huge concern for me switching to bitless..
I’m interested in endurance. What do you think about going with a hackamore? ❓ Any tips on training? My horse never saw a bit in her life! I don’t want to mess her up with introducing it, so I thought to go without it. She is a very trustworthy, no nonsense filly.
What a setup! poorly trained horse and rider.
I don’t ride that short to jump, therefore the rider has no!! seat and is a hand reliant rider.
stumbled apon your website awesome ! can you direct me to more of your info on bitless.the things i see being said make a lot of good sense. we have a fantastic horse who is a pleasure to ride…looks like things are about to get better !
That has way more to do with that horse not knowing how to flex than anything. But i agree my off the track quarter horse would always put the bit under her tounge, she hated it. As soon as i switched her to a Hackmore she completely changed. She would also put her head down init on her own she liked it so much! I also ride my stallion with a Bosal and he is great, put a bit in his mouth though and he will throw a fit. 😉
I’m trying to decide if i should switch to a bitless bridle, but i keep hearing different things- I have hear that it can break a horses nose and do damage and that bitless bridles can be just as harsh as bits. also I want to do barrel racing- would i be alloed to with a bitless bridle and would it still work for the sport?
I care about my horse and dont want to hurt him…
if a bitless bridle is a good idea, what type/brand is a good, safe option?
bit less bridles can be cruel, at my old stable i was unlucky enough to see a horse ridden bit less by a cruel rider. the horse didn’t stop when the rider asked so after she forced the gelding to a halt she tightened the bridle. this continued going for over an hour the horse was in deep pain when i became to horrified to watch. later walking by the horses stall i stopped to see if he was OK. i could see where the bridle was, in dried blood.
be careful when using any bridle on your horse
I think that a bitless bridle works with some horses not with others, I have several horses, only a few I could safely say are great with or with out a bit, however I have a few, OTT’s, that are way too headstrong to be able to ride safely with a bitless bridle, one spooks and would bolt easily away on me with a bitless bridle, the other is just a very determined gentleman that would walk all over my son if there were not a bit in his mouths. A bit should not inflict pain on a horse but rather be used as a guidance. I wish all my horses were educated enough to understand leg cues and voice commands easily so that were the only guidance they needed and I did not have to use a bit, but not all horses come to us in such a manner, especially if they’re OTT’s.
Obviously the rider and horse with the bit are poorly trained in that video, which proves nothing about a bit. A horse tossing its head like that was never trained properly, showing a complete lack of trust in the rider!!! You can make any video prove any point YOU might think is valid, but that doesn’t make it right . Alot of miscues and useful info in this video.
I use a bitless bridle on our farm stallion as he prefers it to a bitted one especially on cold days!I have found that a bitless bridle has excellent braking and stopping power.It is less effective for turning and cornering on an evasive and smart horse as our stallion is!I use both depending on what kind of riding I am doing.Our farm stallion is a thoroughbred who is bred to race and for soundness to be passed on to his progeny with great speed! Fred
I just started leasing a national show horse and the owner uses this kind of bridle. it was a complete failure the horse would pull constantly and even darted out into oncoming traffic on a busy road, he pulled so hard that it rubbed him almost raw and pulled his head up when i tried to stop. i switched to a gentle fat copper snaffle and it works great , to the point where he is a different horse , very relaxed and i can be very gentle with my hands .
I used to be a strong believer in a bit but I have changed my mind when I tried the BB Bridle, unless the horse does not like the bit I will never again use a bitted bridle. It was the best thing that I have ever done. I have much better control and my horses are happy! If you havnt tried a BB Bit the I don’t see why you should comment because you have nothing to compare with.
I’ve returned to riding after many years being horseless and after studying learning theory. Most trainers (of horses) have no understanding of learning theory, so they frankly ‘make it up as they go along’ and/or franchise their ‘methods’ to make money. But Learning theory is just the cost of one or two books, or a good website; it is not ‘owned’ by anyone.
I still can’t see why anyone would want to hammer nails into a horses’ feet, or put lumps of metal in there mouths as a default practice. Lena, (first post above) actually makes the case for NOT having a bit. If as she says, downward transitions are mainly by the seat and the legs are used for steering, then why have a bit at all? We can do all our “balancing and bending” without a bit anyway, so why have one? What’s the advasntage to the horse of havig a bit?
The problem with a bit is *anyone* can (and does) use it. So some pain will always be inflicted on some horses, by some riders using the bit, as the mouth is so delicate and sensitive to pain. Also, I think bits are often dangerous as they risk the horse getting behind them, and not being able to breathe or even swallow at will; this induces stress. Stress increases the risk of your loss of control as the rider and this is dangerous. But a horse cannot ‘get behind’ a Dr Cooks bridle. So, if the horse is trained bitless, using habituation, positive reinforcement and minimal negative reinforcement, then they are far more reliable bitless, as stress levels are reduced.
My 4yo Arab is recently backed, bitless and barefoot. He’s a pleasure to ride already!
I do think bits belong in the dark ages where they were ‘perfected’ to inflict painful wounds if the horse resisted an aid. They are used by default by many rather than byintention. New risers like me were told to ‘get one’; like shoeing, I asked why? and no one came up with a convincing case for either practice.
Greg.
I started using Dr. Cook’s bitless bridle after I got him and he seemed uncomfortable with his bit. He is a 5 year old reg. Tennessee Walking Horse. I could not believe the way he relaxed and worked so much better with the bitless bridle. As far as I could see he did not act any different, as far as control. He just was a happier big guy! I am still thrilled. No more bits for my horse. A happy horse makes me happy!
Cooks is good but for a horse with bad habits or needing more control try something like a Royal King Rawhide Double Rope Side Pull and cross leather straps under the chin from the upper rings through the rings near the mouth. Still just as gentle as a halter when riding but if necessary you can jerk on it or shake the reins for instant control with virtually no pain (much less than using a crop), but psychologically they don’t know how to fight it. Also horses that pull and break halters when tied won’t pull against this, even though they could. Must be something about feeling pressure all over the head.
Just love your horse and treat him as you would like to be treated. Make a best friend bond with him, and see If that helps him do as you ask. Also, Ground work is very important. Just like Trust.
I ride my horse in a SOFT straight,rubber snaffle and find this works well. But saying that, He is well enough behaved to ride in just a HALTER which I do when riding alone. Only when in a party of riders do I use the soft rubber snaffle in case of over-excitement. 😀
Its ok saying a bit shouldnt hurt the horses mouth but how many horse owners know what size their horses mouths are , how thick or thin the bit should be me personally I think all horses should be bitless ..how many people over bit their horses for more control instead of doing back to basics ground work
Hi, I have a rescue horse from the county of Texas. I’ve had her for 1 & half yrs. I just had her teeth flowed and to my sadness I found out that this 20 year old has her tongue ( healed), but split almost in half. She is the most gentle and sweet horse and minds most of the time. I have tried a Hackamore she does not like or takes commands with it, well. I am using a English Pelham on her right now. I just don’t want to hurt her she does ok, but is there one that is better because of her tongue. I just wished people were kinder to horses instead of letting them suffer. I would appreciate your advise. Thanks Carol
I have an 8 yr old QH/draft gelding that has only been in formal training for 1 year. I loved the idea of “iron-free” for my horse, so he is barefoot and recently tried Dr Cooks bitless bridle. He was confused by the pressure and was leaning into the pressure, so we removed the cross over straps and seems fine now, although without the pressure to his pole I am not as confident in the control I have in his forward motion. Any suggestions?
I don’t think what you put on the horse’s head or in the horse’s mouth is as important as training of the horse, the rider and saddle fit. If the horse has been correctly brought along using a method that respects the horse and properly introduced him to a bit or a bitless bridle then he is going to be reasonably willing and cooperative. No horse is 100% safe and all can be dangerous put in the right situation. If the horse has been correctly trained, my next thoughts are of the rider’s abilities. Is the rider’s seat independent so he isn’t a burden to the horse, doesn’t interfere with the horse’s movements or need the reins for balance? Has the rider learned to influence the horse by correctly apply the aids? If the answer to those questions is yes my next question would be, does the saddle truly fit this particular horse and second does it fit the rider? In many cases the answer is no. If the rider needs to improve then I believe the horse is better off without a bit in his mouth. Or better yet, the rider should stay on a longe line until his seat is independent. If the saddle doesn’t truly fit the horse and/or rider then the horse is going to suffer with or without a bit.
I use a light rider bit less bridle on my ex racehorse . He loves it . I recommend the website natural horse world. The lady who invented it lives in Australia, the brilliant thing is you can use it at the same time as having a bit- like a double rein until you feel confident. You can also buy the part that is bit less and fit it to your existing bridle. Please give it ago for your horses sake . Most people haven’t got good hands all the time and the times I’ve seen people yank at the mouth to deliver punishment. When people are learning they will pull and pull on the reins. Horses deserve better
I have to laugh when people say “bits don’t hurt…my horse is too willful to ride bitless.”
Um…
If a “willful” horse only behaves with a bit, that is telling you a whole lot. It is telling you the horse only respects your “suggested” commands when you can back them up with the “threat” of pain. Even a slight movement of metal against your teeth, can hurt quite a “bit”…if you don’t believe it, try it for yourself: stick the tip of a spoon in your mouth, then lightly tap your top teeth, then your bottom teeth. Then have a friend do it to you, too see if their idea of “gentle” is the same as yours, then swap places and do it again, this time you being gentle to your friend’s teeth.
Now, do the same exercise with a complete stranger.
Now do it with someone who is frustrated, or even angry with you. Even if they think they are being gentle in that state of frustration, it will be significantly less gentle than a dear friend who is actively thinking about not hurting you.
Just because a horse willingly takes a bit, because he has been trained (broken) to do so, does not mean it isn’t painful when moved inside the mouth.
Anyone who had ever been trained by a parent to obey, by being spanked, understands this psychological situation. Grandma used to have us pick out our own switch, then bring it to her so she could slap us with it.
Do not think for one moment of utter stupidity that the whipping hurt less because we meekly handed her the whip. We were trained. Broken. And that is why that term is used for any kind of training that involves breaking the will of someone.
If you haven’t had a bit in your own mouth, in the hands of both gentle & ungentle alike, then you frankly have no basis to argue for the continued use of them. Training with pain is always easier. Why do you think grams used a switch? Cuz she had a ranch to run, and didn’t have time to have philosophical debates with willful children. Most house trainers don’t, either.
It does not mean that just because it works, it is the right way to do it.
…also, there seems to be confusion over bitless bridles in general, and Dr. Cook’s Bitless Bridle (encouraged here on this site). His patented design differs from hackemores, sidepulls, etc. Confusing them does not make for a good argument either way, as Cook’s BB is mechanically unique. It’s worth the few moments it takes to become familiar with the differences.