I think accusing anyone of animal cruelty is a very serious step. Especially those who adore their horse, but happen to ride with a jointed snaffle.
But then I saw this article, and more to the point, the picture that goes with it. (See Fig 3 – laceration of the tongue)
http://cdn.bitlessbridle.com/HorseRiderInteraction.pdf
Could those terrible lacerations be a result of the bit? I don’t judge anyone using the jointed snaffle. But if your horse sustains this much damage, surely it’s time to consider a new method of control?
If you read Dr. Cook’s website in full, you’ll notice he’s in a battle to bring the crossunder bitless bridle into dressage and racing.
I strongly believe it will be universally allowed before long.
Wishing him the very best of luck.
And now onto what Rob has to say.
Bitted bridles can become cruel when they are used improperly, causing pain or discomfort for the horse. A bitted bridle has a metal bit that rests in the horse’s mouth and is connected to the reins. When used correctly, a bit allows the rider to communicate gently with the horse through subtle pressure cues. However, when misused, it can lead to physical and psychological stress.
One of the most common causes of cruelty with bitted bridles is harsh or inexperienced handling. Riders who pull sharply or constantly on the reins can cause severe pain, even damaging the horse’s sensitive mouth tissues, tongue, or gums. Heavy-handed use of the bit may lead to lasting injuries and make the horse fearful or resistant. An improperly fitted bit can also be uncomfortable or even painful; if the bit is too large, it can slide and cause friction, while a too-small bit may pinch or dig into the horse’s mouth.
Another instance when bitted bridles can be cruel is with certain types of bits, especially those designed to exert stronger pressure. Curb bits or twisted-wire bits, for example, apply more intense pressure on the horse’s mouth and should be used with extreme care and only by experienced riders. For young or sensitive horses, these bits can be particularly harsh, potentially leading to trauma or behavioral issues.
Horses with dental issues, mouth injuries, or certain conformational features may also experience greater pain from bitted bridles. In these cases, even a mild bit can be uncomfortable and lead to pain over time.
Ultimately, bitted bridles become cruel when they disregard the horse’s comfort and well-being. Proper training, gentle handling, and a suitable, well-fitted bit ensure that bitted bridles remain a tool for communication, not a source of pain.
Next up
Use bitless bridles on race horses? Thats crazy & more than likely dangerous
Riders & horses both need to be trained correctly. Anything is possible with the proper time & effort.
Whether the rules will ever allow it, is a longer process. Eventually, with trainers taking the time to cross-train, you could see competent horses & jockeys, alike. It’s just not very likely, with the current “industry”.
There are no quick fixes. With correct and consistent training bitless or bitted doesnt really matter. I have seem bitless horses with chins on their chest and spurs in their ribs. Check out Philippe Karl training.
Of course you can USE A BITLESS BRIDLE ON A RACE HORSE!!! YOU CAN PRETTY MUCH USE IT ON ANY HORSE WHY IS A RACE HORSE ANY DIFFERENT ?IT ISNT. I HAVE WORKED WITH LOTS OF DIFFERENT HORSES INCLUDING RACE HORSES THEY ARE JUST HORSES THAT WILL RESPOND TO A DR COOK BITLESS BRIDLE I HAVE FOUND THAT ONE TO BE THE BEST JUST TRY IT.
BECAUSE YOU’RE TYPING IN ALL CAPS, I SEE THAT YOUR OPINION IS WELL-GROUNDED IN SOLID FACT AND I AM MORE LIKELY TO AGREE WITH YOU!!!^%$
Grow up.
Allow me to speak for Kenady as he/she was just pointing out that racehorses that have been trained to blow themselves out in a race are not going to be used to the kind of pressures introduced by a Dr. Cook’s.
Yes, with time and patience, a TB can be taught that this new pressure means slow or stop, but I am a firm believer in stopping a horse not with your reins, but with your seat, legs and core.
But really, do you think that racetrack trainers are going to take the time to use these on their horses? No. It’s all about making money as fast as possible to them.
Always remember to stop and think before you jump down someone’s throat trying to sound educated.
Hmmm – Are you a Jockey that rides in races???
Thought not!
Unless EVERY COUNTRY rides racehorses without a bit – it is not going to happen as too dangerous!!
AND FYI – any race horse I have had to retrain, is loosen the pressure on the rein to slow down, pressure is speed up! The main thing retraining TB’s is to settle down and loosen up – and retrain the bit pressure. (And yes – worked in the racing too…)
having with worked with A Grade International Polo Ponies – that “hard” looking mouthful of gear (re Gags, double Pelham’s etc.) is what the pony plays in, and the rider most of the time uses his balance. It looks cruel, but as an ex polo groom for that standard, all those ponies were well looked after – and exercised and schooled in a simple snaffle!
One polo pony ridden in a Gag in Competition, I used her to ride in a snaffle, to work young horses being led. I would tie the reins up, to handle each led horse (so no hands on Mindy) and use my balance re speed, so I could concentrate on the reluctant, learner horses!
Of course, any bit in the wrong hands are lethal! And a Hackamore should NEVER be used by an unexperienced, or heavy handed person.
I have no idea what you just said can’t we all just get along:-)
My ex racer used to head toss and grind his teeth when out riding. I, against the advice of the rest of the yard put him in a side-pull bitless bridle. WOW what a change, he is a much happier horse and still stops when asked. For all those saying its crazy to try on race horses, you want to try it. Its the best thing I have done!!
Bitless bridles are not a substitite for training. Taking a green horse and slapping it into a bitless bridle is just as vicious and dangerous as a bitted bridle.All bridles have pressure somewhere. Having said that if an unskilled rider were to ride my horses I would rather they went bitless.My horses are trained to weight and voice aids and I ride with a jointed fulmer and slight upward pressure if needed for downward transitions. It is not in anyway cruel.
While it is so wonderful that people are trying so hard to be compassionate, it is a little misguided. I see a lack of knowledge any time I see the word “control” along with the word bit. I have been a horse owner/rider for 52 years and a professional teacher/trainer for over 25 years.
In my effort to be a well educated teacher/trainer, I have buried myself in studies and years of research on bits their effect and of their [intended] uses. There are many bits on the market that should be melted down, but for the most part a well made, properly fitted bit with WELL TRAINED hands can actually encourage relaxation and build trust because communication will be in whispers from the fingers, from the breath and seat of the rider. It is frustrating for me in my daily life as a riding instructor to see this misconception. Perhaps for uneducated hands to ride in a soft side pull would be best on a well trained horse I suppose. But in all of my years, a well educated rider is far more compassionate to a horse than just throwing a bit-less bridal on them.
There are steps in training that need to be met in setting up communication between horse and human that begin on the ground and build to the mounted horse.( I COMPLETELY agree that everyone needs to be their own trainer because horses adapt to the person they spend the most time with.)
When a horse “fights the bit” it is because the hands that have held the reins the most are poor in timing and feel.
This is the challenge of any instructor. Since we instruct people who are usually new to horses (with in several years of ownership) and the horses they acquire do not always have good training. One absolute is a good rider will improve any horse where a poor rider will “un-train” a well trained horse in no time at all.
BTW Carol I totally agree with you! I added that massively long comment to the wrong place! OOOPPPS! 🙂
I strongly disagree with anyone who thinks a bitted bridle on a horse is better than a bitless. I support this because of my own horse, we are thinking of switching him to a bitless bridle because he hates anything in his mouth and will fight the bit instead of going for a pleasant ride. It would be great if they would let you use bitless bridles in races, dressage, ect. because of the advantages it has. This is just my opinion from my own experience.
P.S. Kenady, why would it be dangerous? It’s more dangerous for the horse with a bitted bridle…
Learn to stop with your seat and weight, and maybe your horse will stop rejecting the bit.
Good call Emily!!
Learn to use your weight and balance, you won’t need the bit – or even a bitless…..
I ride with a bit – Mustering cattle, etc – I hardly need the reins. but the horse gallops up to me to saddle and bridle with bit for work.
Think some of these people are a BIT heavy handed on their horses mouths, maybe that why they up in arms, Just an observation…
One horse is not a large enough test for any sort of bridle.
Its brilliant your horse likes its bitless, but that doesn’t mean every other horse is the same. My horse dislikes western saddles. Does this mean cowboys are evil?
Onya Zoe!
Horse for courses!
TAKE NOTE PEOPLE! ZOE IS TALKING SENSE!!
OMG! See my above post!!!
Saying that – I have trained several horses bitless, does not mean they will do what you do – to someone who has no idea!!
I am a firm believer of going bitless. I can see both sides of the argument, but numbers don’t lie and neither do results.
Horses are friends and partners; they should not be treated like they are slaves or machines. If you care for horses at all, why are you not doing what is best for them? If you claim there is no difference, why not switch? Bitless is cheaper after all.
I have ridden my horses bitless all their lives and never had a single problem. One time I tried switching to a bit in hopes it would solve a couple problems, but had the opposite effect.
Here’s the deal guys. Every horse is different, every person is different, every circumstance is different. If you don’t know where to place a bridle, like the person who has ridden bitless there entire horse lives, or if you don’t know that young horses will bite on bits and try putting there tongues over them, you will feel the tug on the bit in the reins an will tug back. Hard. Without realizing it you could badly hurt your horse. It depends on who you are and who your horse is.
In the wrong hands this would still cause probs.
Dr Cooks bitless is a good thing but if you don’t pull on a bit you don’t hurt a horse.If you want to see how much you pull on the reins cross them over(put on side on the off side and off side on the on side).
like it!!
I would like to speak of the bit – and bitless bridles and hackamores. Any and all of these instruments are tools, no more or less. The right tool for the right job is all important. The photo of tongue lacerations referred to is an incredible horror show, and obviously the horse will not be wearing a bit for some time. I find it difficult to believe these were bit caused by a bit – and certainly not by a well fitting bit. I have spent about half a century bitting horses with snaffles and have never known a correctly fitted snaffle used correctly to harm a horse’s mouth. I will grant that bicycle or chain saw chains, double twisted snaffles, edged bits, elevator bits and spoon or spade bits are dangerous and extremely cruel, particularly in wrong hands. I will also add that I had to remove a bitless bridle, which was so badly adjusted that the horse had become a danger to himself and any rider or handler. Too much scissor action and too much poll action. Tools, badly used, bad results.
Someone who is behind me, (and Emily) Bitless bridles in the wrong hands cause damage! Any bit or horse equipment in the wrong hands causes damage!!
In defense of bit choices, I have been working with a wonderful trainer who had a client with a horse whose mouth looked similar to the photo in the article. The horse had had tooth surgery, a broken jaw, chewed up his own tongue and his jaw RE-broken to RE-set the original break. He opted for a bitless bridle, and for awhile had pretty ok success with it in a RIDDEN environment. However, as this horse was a DRIVING horse, there had to be a point where a bit had to be re-introduced. As can be imagined, the horse was uncomfortable with anything near his mouth – which is why the bitless was not as successful as it should have been. His driving bridle was modified to allow chiffney snaps, making it easier to put the bridle on, then snap in the bit, but as with the bitless bridle, there was some rearing happening (especially alarming with a carriage), and little faith given. Eventually, I offered up a very old, heavy, fat Boucher whose surface at the tongue was flat. Because the bit puts very little pressure on the tongue, and what pressure there was came from a smooth, flat surface, and because the bit was heavy, i.e. not moving around so much in the horse’s mouth, a couple weeks were enough to give the horse faith that the bit was his worst enemy. Again, correct tool. There is a time and place for bit or bitless, and as was mentioned above, each horse is different.
Why is using a bitless bridle on a racehorse dangerous? Because you are going 35-40 MPH with about 10-20 other horses and jockeys around you. At any moment the horse in front of you could break down, bump in to you. Your horse could shy away, break down bang into the rail. You need more control,I don’t see how not having a bit will somehow give you more control. No, racehorses aren’t like every other horse. They aren’t ANYTHING like your pet horse, or the horse at your lesson barn, these are high strung, aggressive, million dollar horses. I don’t think any owner who has spent millons on these horses would allow them in a race with a bitless bridle.
Also people have been using bits for a very long time. Native Americans used wood, I don’t think they had any horses with tongues like that. I have never seen a racehorse, riening horse, or any horse with a tongue like that. I find it very hard to believe that a bit could do that. The people in that article probably just took a tongue, cut it up, and hoped no one would see. If this is such a problem, why aren’t all the humane organizations all over the race owners, and everyone else who dares to place a bit *Gasps in Horror* in there poor horses mouth.
Dear Lyssa
I saw an article re the split horse tounge – it is to make the horse more spirited (like the cruel things some trainers do to Tennessee Walking horses etc. to make their feet pick up).
It was a con! But the poor horses they did that too…
Some natives were also cruel to their horses in many ways.
In rodeos a piece of ginger is stuck in the horses’ rectum to make them “buck” for the shows. They also put a synch on the stallions’ testicles to make them more entertaining as the Cowboys play at riding then in this horrible state. They think this is normal part of rodeos; it’s been done for ages. Has PETA been able to stop them? *gasp* Its not exactly on breaking news. Race horses have some other horror stories as well; some actually made it to the news, like the lemon grove body dumps. Remember those?
Horrible things have been done to show animals for hundreds of years. It doesn’t make it ok just because it’s a tradition, and humane organizations have had their hands full trying to help animals. Even those in slaughter houses, where the animals are going to be killed anyway, so why treat them well beforehand? Some of the most horrible things imaginable are done to animals due for slaughter. That includes old race horses as well. Humane organizations have been fighting that battle for nearly 20 years that I know of.
What do we have to show for it? There have been a few minor victories; fines can now be enforced in some states for unusually cruel treatment, but that definition also changes by state. Etc. The vast majority of current cases against slaughter houses are at a steady crawl through legal red tape–and this is for things like playing football with baby pigs, moving cattle with steel hooks, tossing unwanted chicks into rotating mulchers–LIVING animals…things that are obviously, without a doubt, HEINOUS. And progress is slow.
But.
Don’t think that just because progress is slow, that it isn’t happening. Part of humane progress is people agreeing to try gentler alternatives, and not defending practices that have been shown to cause damage.
The outright cruelty must go ASAP–and that is where the current battles are being fought. When the worst has been regulated out of practice, then they can focus on the next tier of animal injustices; things which may seem small now, but will become larger issues as collective compassion & empathy improves, along with determination to phase them out of common use.
Forgive any typos, my phone likes to auto-correct things, sometimes I don’t catch them all.
Tb are broken to race as babies, 1 to 18 months,, not schooled properly, Any horse if left to mature would be happier in a bitless. the reason for this is MONEY.Why aren’t rescue agents sorting this problem, the reason they are not is because of the rich and powerful cruel so called humans. hope this answers your questions.
And show jumpers are broken to jump as babies too.
Yes, there are selfish, greedy and cruel people in racing, there are also selfish, greedy and cruel people in showjumping, dressage, endurance, polo, barrel racing and everywhere.
Also Thoroughbreds are not ever broken/backed (Taught to accept a rider) at 1 month. No horse is every broken/backed at 1 month. Racehorses are normally backed at 1 year.
And they are schooled properly, they are schooled how to run, fast.
This still doesn’t tell me how riding bitless could provide more control. And how any horse could get a tongue like that from a bit. Only an extermly harsh bit, and an extremly inexperienced or cruel rider could produce a tongue like that.
I think the poster meant 1 year to 18 months, and forgot the *year* part.
I beg to debate re Polo Ponies in general broken in and played as babies! I worked with 4 International high grade polo players. A horse was broken in at 2yrs, turned out for a yr. 3 yrs broken in with light riding and training. Turned out and at around 4yrs, light Polo practice, maybe a game or too.
At 5 yrs playing about 8 games of Polo out of 18 games. And so on.
I worked with an International polo Player as his groom, (Top Manager of England Polo now) and he had between 8yrs to 16 yrs old polo ponies – playing International Polo!
So Stick THAT!!
I am new to all of this. So much contradiction out there. We are buying two young mares next month and I might not know much but I know this. Just because something has been done a certain way for whatever reason for how many ever years, does not mean I have to do it.
I will NOT put a bit in either of the horses and the so called experts can take a hike. Like anything else, a horse knows what it is used to. Why make it used to a bit in the first place? So what if training or backing is a little more tricky and takes longer. I have time. What I don’t however have is that sense of competition that many horse people have. Making it go faster, be robotically obedient and look pretty in a platt. Stuff that. I met a woman the other day who was busy lunging a 20 year old horse.
The horse has won “this” and “that” blah blah. She is emigrating next year and will be putting the horse to sleep before she goes. How selfish is that? She reckons no one can take care of the horse the way she can. I was horrified beyond belief. Who died and made her Ruler?
Look, I know for safety reasons the rider/handler has to be dominant, but you can still be the leader without the bit and without cruelty. Last thought – these animals are not on this earth for improving anyone’s social status nor does a trophy increase or decrease it’s value.
There is nothing wrong with allowing the horse to have a quiet painless death in peaceful familiar surroundings rather than having to adapt to change at such an old age.
Sad but very true some horses could adapt, but an owner who would put herself through that experience and pain is not being selfish by putting a 20yr old horse to sleep. I have an active 25yr old hv had since 2yrs and have traveled him far and wide and given him the best life I could. I am not in that terrible position and may never be but would face up to it if certain circumstances arose that meant I couldn’t secure guaranteed love for him as he became too frail to be useful but happy in himself.
I know I may eventually be the only one to have unconditional love and compassion for him.
Sometimes death is more merciful than a cruel life. The horse is 20, will die in probably less thab 10 years, what’s better 10 years of starvation, pain, misery and cruelty, or a quick quiet almost painless death? Not many people want an old horse, what is she supposed to do dump the horse on the side of the road?
Also bits are not cruel if used correctly, niether are whips, or spurs. If used properly they can be helpful. For thousands of years horses have been ridden in bits, even the Native Americans used wooden bits. There has been this recent trend to become ‘Natural’ and ride bareback, bitless on unshod, unsheard, unstalled ‘wild’ horses. It is supposedly the way things have been done, when throughout history bits, and whips had been used. Not too mention stables.
As a child I had a horse. The thrill of my life! My father sold him out from under me and I have wanted another one ever since. Well I am 63 and just aquired (through rescuing), a 10 yr ole sorrel mare. In fact I am in the process of getting an 18 yr old arabian mare. I’ve said all this to say, in reality, I “thought” I knew something about horses, when in fact I knew squat! This absolutely is like going back to school with the horse as the greatest teacher! But all my life I have said that I thought bits were cruel or wrong…but! I thought I was “alone” in this thinking, until I found this site. Thank you, thank you for letting me know that at least my “natural” instincts were right. The first time I tried to ride Shasta she refussed the bit and we had an awful experience. A very dumb long story. 😳 Sooo, again, thank you so much for all this info!!!!!
🙄 I have a 19 month old TW/Racking horse filly who will have her training started at about 2 1/2. I am confused about training with bits i.e. eggbut snaffles, or bitless bridles. Any suggestions anyone? Thanks for your tips!
Dear Cathy, Employ the services of a gaited horse trainer to start your filly out. You will not be sorry. Most of the back and forth about bitless bridles is hogwash. Set your filly down with a good foundation and go from there. Only a good trainer can help you with that. They are well worth the money.
I’ve too just purchased a 20 yr old stock horse after nearly 40 years of not riding (I’m 53). I hadn’t heard of a bitless bridle but will certainly look into it. How difficult would it be to train an older guy to accept one of these?
With a compliant trainer, probably not hard. Employ someone to help you, you won’t be sorry, especially after so many years off riding.
I once broke a horse with a bozo , I still don’t know how they work . but this horse was very responsive and stopped awfull fast . my father said all horses have a soft mouth so don’t pull hard on the bit , if you do you can toughen up their mouth and they will be known as hard mouth and always require a hard pull . ” You can never trust a horse untill the horse can trust you ” this was another statement from a old horsemen . If changing bridles and bits , I think I would like to be in the corral and see how much control i had before letting the horse out on the hi-way . I always say whoe and then gentaly pull back with a steady pull untill the horse responds . when using bits I have found that the chin strap seems to be a important part of the briddle effecting control .I once bought a perfect horse or so I though this horse would do evreything . come to me when i called her ,put her head in the briddle , neck rigned , easy to stop a excellent kids horse . I turned her out to pasture . latter went out with my car called ,she came a running , I did not have the briddle so i just put some twine around her neck and thought i was going for a little short bareback ride . I went for a lot longer ride than I wanted too at speeds i did not enjoy . So you do need to be able to stop the horse before you can go for a pleasureable horseback ride .
I find my horse is softer and lighter to ride in a bitless bridle, and he is more responsive. I just lift one rein and he stops from any gait. In a bitted bridle he was always heavy and on the forehand unless I did loads of transitions, but this is not the case in the bitless, and its actually a rope halter, but it is fantastic for my horse.
bits are only as harsh as the hands are sensitive.
heavy hands result in pain
Lacerations from a jointed snaffle would most likely occur from a horse being tied up with the reins and pulling back or stepping on a rein and throwing his head up. Lacerating a tongue while riding would take some special kind of stupid.
🙄
Agreed.
Just to say, I tried riding in Dr Cook’s bitless bridle, in fact I still have it in my tack room. I used it on my very spirited Arabian who was used to a snaffle. I noticed that the crossover underneath confused him a lot, I would use one rein and he wasn’t sure which way to turn his head. The main thing though was that he didn’t like the pressure on his nose… he has always hated nosebands. He would stop all right, very quickly but he started to rear at any contact from the reins, front feet off the ground, which was a first for him. (And I wasn’t yanking on it either.) I could ride him in a rope halter without that happening so I know it was the nose action he didn’t like. I now ride him in a jointed snaffle and he is a lot happier, usually we are on very little contact anyway. I guess every horse is different. Like people, sometimes what is familiar, if not used in an abusive way, is comforting – it’s all in the hands
I ride in both a bitless (rope halter) and a jointed snaffle bridle.
In my mind, each has its place. In a rope halter I find it difficult to collect my mare, and find myself often over correcting her as I cannot give the tiny vibration-of-a-finger aids I can with a bit. Because of this my arena craft (correct circles, straight lines) flops. However my bitless is useful for quiet bareback rides and she flexes laterally better in the bitless.
My bitted is brilliant for any sort of dressage or collected work, she is a very easy mare to get to reach and accept contact and when she is bitted. I give frequent tiny aids, half-halts etc practically invisible which she responds to (something I cannot do bitless, its just not a subtle enough instrument!)She also seems to be more focused mentally on me in a bitted but I suspect that is because I am often more focused on her! However we always have problems doing lateral flexing in the snaffle bit, she seems to get confused. We are working on it, I think its mostly lack of practice.
She stops off seat and energy, so no change there.
Basically, my point is, don’t knock either. They both have their places and with correct training and good hands, both work well.
Of course, it may be different for your personal horse. Use what works for you, I guess.
Love you are giving your mare quiet rides in a bitless! And get you re bit. Giving best of both sides!!
❓ 😳 6-24-13..I’ve been riding sense I was 9, good & by myself. I started earlier, but didn’t start on my own until then. I’m now 61 & as far as I’m concerned in..trouble.! I had a stroke. Now, I’m in search of a.. Well-Seasoned Horse..!! I live in the Lubbock, Texas area. I can’t drive but about 200 miles to pick one up, to buy. I MISS riding, daily when weather permits. I’m interested in “Pleasure Riding”, only.!! I miss mine, that died of a Heart Attk., while I was gone. “Bo” was my “Friend”! My Best Friend.!! I certainly miss him, but as we all know, there’s a reason for all happenings in Life. I’ve got to..Re-Learn..some things, but do recall alittle, now. I-F anyone knows of such a horse, for sale, like I’m speak’g of..PLEASE..email me at; .?? Thank you & Gods Blessings to you.! Any & all prayers, sent my way, WILL be deeply appreciated.!! Bubbles (Legal Birth Name.!)
I would be interested to hear from people using a bitless bridle for harness horses.
When I bought a love Appendix Quarter horse 11 years ago he tended to run through the bridle – not run away gallop away, just not stop when asked. After several years of riding him in different bridles including a Tom Thumb curb I bought a Dr. Cook Bitless Bridle. He loves it and does not run through it. I went through a period of riding every horse int he bitless bridle. When a 28 year old gelding i’d bred came back to me after 18 years I put in right into the bitless bridle. I’d riden him in a halter and he is quiet and easy to manage. He made it clear he’d prefer the snaffle and so that is what we ride him in. Nothing works for everyone. I too am a fan of barefoot and lots of time outside. My horses are 32, 24, 23 and 12 and rarely do people know which is which.
Not sure if this has already been mentioned as I have not read all the comments.
But riding a horse wether bitless or with the bit the damage is done by the hands at the end of the reins. Not the bit itself. We need to move away from finding blame on the equipment and look at what our hands are doing to the horses mouths. I have seen just as much damage done with a bitless bridle on the nose area as there has been in a bit. Let’s look at the hands of the rider and not the equipment we use
😀 Each horse is different, each rider is diferent. That MUST be considered in each situation. What works with one horse and rider, may not work with another. I had a horse years ago who was only happy wearing a “controler” bit. That high port and high chin strap location were his “sweet spot”. To look inside his mouth you could see why he prefered it (at least in part). He was born with a very high mouth roof (plenty of room in there). That bit was the kindest on him, a loose cheek snaffle was; to him (at least)something to fight, and gape his jaws against. I have light hands, and that bit hung relaxed in his mouth constantly. No fight, just a soft moist mouthed responsive gentleman.
My daughter’s pony mare is fine in either her ring snaffle or bitless. No battle here either.
I also had an older mare with badly worn, and missing teeth, bitless was a wonderful blessing for her. Keep up the good work Al
Any bit can be cruel if the rider is overly aggressive using it. I would rather have the bit and use gently as needed than not have a bit in the horses mouth when needed. My horse has scars over her nose from a previous owner that use a bitless bridle. My horse takes the bit without any problems. If it was hurting her I think she would let me now by not being so cooperative when being tacked up. I use a fairly aggressive bit with my 20 year old mare because it is what I have and it’s the bit she is used to. She has no mouth problems what so ever. My thoughts gentle hands on the reins unless a situation occurs and the horse needs to be brought under control quickly.
I’ve ridden for 20 years in everything from a double jointed french link snaffle, a regular snaffle, an English hackamore, a Linda Tellington Jones training bit ( curb bit with double reins…sounds like alot of hardware, but it’s the kindest set up ever. Check it out ) to the bitless bridle which I currently ride with. My horse goes lovely, round and through with the bitless, and I ride almost always with it, but it’s very difficult to control my Arab gelding with it when he gets very excited out on trail in a group… to the point where my fingers have bled and I end up separating myself from them and heading back home alone. Under those conditions, I prefer the training bit. He is calmer, more controllable and I most definitely feel safer. I offer the idea that there is no perfect bit for every horse, UNDER EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE. So much depends where you are at with the training of both horse and rider as well. Stay open and ride with kindness and awareness. Respectfully, S.B.
Why must a horse have a steel bit in his mouth? The only reason riders do not se a bitless bridle is becasue the a scared. Why/ If these wonderful instructors that twll you you need steel to control the horse, then they have no idea what they are talking about. The bit is not to stop a horse only guide it you body is what controls the speed and the movement of a horse I ride endurance horses and we do race without bits and my horse will stop before any poor horse with a hunk of steel in its mouth and its eyes wide open telling you it is in pain or uncomfortable for gods sake grow up and get with the times you do not need a bridle let alone a bit.
😆 Maggie. My mare had mouth sores and late dental work so when boarding at new place her dental exam showed 4 long teeth and sores so was so much better in her mouth and I made it a point to be softer on the bit cues..eventually went to bitless for My beautiful Adab and now after 2 mo she is more relaxed and responsive and her fall. CK-up showed a nice mouth. We Trail ride, do gr.work and at Liberty and she is one happy girl that lives in a Herd and living as a Horse should. Free of blkts, shoes and a bit in her mouth and I go to her near everyday to just be riding or hanging out and live 17mi from her board on a lovely Stable / farm where Wild Mustangs are also Trained and many live there in the Herd….
Neither the bit nor the bitless bridle is cruel – it is the rider that determines the amount of pressure that is applied. It is the rider that will cause damage and it is the rider that will create the response from the horse. A bridle, either bitted or bitless is only a tool and can be misused. I personally prefer a bit, my spouse rides bitless – each to their own.
Also one needs to remember the horse is NOT your friend, people need to stop humanising animals and remember where their natural instincts result from in the pecking order of predator/Prey.
Under what conditions can the use of a bitted bridle become harmful or cruel to a horse?
A bitted bridle becomes harmful when it’s used with excessive force, poor fitting, or inappropriate bit types. Rough handling, certain severe bits, and using bits on horses with dental issues can cause pain, injury, and fear, making it essential to prioritize gentle control and proper fit.