Bitless bridles??

[dianneS]

I'm thinking of changing my mares bit. I thought I might just try a bitless bridle too. I ended up buying a type of hackamore/bosal attachment for my english bridle that works a lot like a bitless bridle. The only difference is that it doesn't apply pressure to the poll like the Dr. Cooks or Nutural.

I wanted to try riding bitless before investing in a bitless bridle and then finding out it doesn't work for us.

Well, so far the bitless attachment is working great! (Basically its like an indian hackamore, but leather for an english bridle) We were both really pleased with it. I may invest in a Nutural bitless bridle, but before I do I wanted to know if anyone had any advice, tips, or just experiences with bitless bridles??

 

[big brown horse]

I have tried them and they worked fine for me. Actually I really liked it. I'm not a professional rider though. I mainly do trails, and some "extreme riding" (my own term for short distance endurance-type riding). I prefer this type of "hacamore" to any of the other shanked-type hacamores hands down.

There was a lady at my stables that rode English with her bitless bridle, but I can't speak for her nor her riding skills as she rode at different times than me.

Do you have a friend who has one that you can borrow? They are quite expensive. Maybe they have a money back guarantee?

 

[Countrymom]

Have you tried riding your horse in a halter with reins attached? I have a hackamore that is a great decoration in my tack room. LOL Honestly I feel like I can communicate with a horse just as well if not better in a good old sturdy halter. If the horse is trained right and able to ride from seat and leg pressure you really do not need anything major on their face or in their mouth. I would not recommend a halter for riding unless your horse has some good training and you have a seat to ride like that.

 

[big brown horse]

(LOL CountryMom, that is the only way I ride my horse these days!)

 

[FarmerChick]

All my horses ride in hackamores.

I love the ones with the fat big strip of leather across the nose.

I don't like the hard wrapped rubber types and small bands.

Give me the wide leather every time.

I love hackamores and all my horses did wonderful in them.

When I bought my last horse I would put on the hackamore and she would always open her mouth, thinking a bit was coming..lol...fooled her for many years. Then after about 3 years she finally stopped opening her mouth...duh, she finally got it....that this bridle meant no bit..HA HA

 

[big brown horse]

They are such creatures of habit aren't they?!

 

[FarmerChick]

oh yes, LOL

it amused me she opened her mouth for so long!!

she was trained well, Tony trained her when I didn't know him. I ended up buying this horse from a friend and when Tony told me he trained her it was so funny.

He did a fab job training horses.

 

[dianneS]

Do you have a friend who has one that you can borrow? They are quite expensive. Maybe they have a money back guarantee?

There is actually someone in my area that has three bitless bridles for sale right now, barely used and more than $100 less than a new one! I may look into it.

I'm beginning to think that maybe I should just stick with what I've got for now, since it does seem to be working. If it aint broke, don't fix it! But I may want to take advantage of that bargain of a bridle before they're gone too! Can't let a steal like that get away!

 

[bibliophile birds]

all of our good horses use hackamores. they are all neck-reined so bits have always simply been for control of unruly horses. for us, when we are out working cattle all day long, hackamores are wonderful. it's easy to cause mouth sores with a bit when you are paying more attention to keeping steers out of the woods than you are to your horse...

 

[big brown horse]

Do you have a friend who has one that you can borrow? They are quite expensive. Maybe they have a money back guarantee?

There is actually someone in my area that has three bitless bridles for sale right now, barely used and more than $100 less than a new one! I may look into it.

I'm beginning to think that maybe I should just stick with what I've got for now, since it does seem to be working. If it aint broke, don't fix it! But I may want to take advantage of that bargain of a bridle before they're gone too! Can't let a steal like that get away!

Ask that person if you can test it out. (Maybe leave your drivers license as a deposit.) I really liked the one my sister has. As I said, a halter and reins works for my horse, heck I could ride him in a hay string, but if I needed something that looks nice and I wanted to spend the money, I would get one. The only other thing I ride with is a simple snaffel...but like I said, I rarely use it cuz I'm lazy. (And I also kind of like to show off when I ride my big fast mighty horse in just a simple leather halter... )

(Also ask them why they are selling it. They may have had issues with it.)