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Discussion on Bitless Bridle 2007
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Member:
leilani
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Posted on Monday, Aug 20, 2007 - 12:38 am:
Aloha all,
I recently borrowed a Dr. Cook's Bitless Bridle to see how Anuhea would respond. I tried it today and she was actually more responsive than when I ride her with a snaffle. No blind studies so...
Do any of you still use the BB? Thanks.
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Monday, Aug 20, 2007 - 11:29 am:
Leilani, please keep the coming in as to how it goes with the bitless bridle. My MFT has a small mouth and even the small bit my arab uses is big so was thinking bitless might be best for her! Thanks Cindy
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New Member:
jlaurits
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Posted on Monday, Aug 20, 2007 - 6:43 pm:
Hi Cindy & Leilani -- Coincidentally, I'd just posted this on another website, but I thought what I'd shared about my experience with a bitless bridle might be appropriate here. So, I'm taking the liberty of "copying" my own text:
I switched to Dr. Cook's bitless bridle 2-3 years ago with my aged TB gelding. Bridling, even with a soft snaffle, had been an issue for
some time with his resisting and then twisting his head after I got the bit into his mouth, apparently trying to seat it more comfortably. (His teeth have had *good* regular care since I bought him 14 years ago, but he came with some pretty poor dentition, so it was an on-going effort.) Even so, he'd typically settle into the bit and be fairly calm once he started to work.
When I saw an ad for the bridle, I decided it was worth a try as several issues that Dr. Cook claims the bitless bridle addresses were apparent resistances with him, including leaning on one rein, messy canter depart, etc. And, of course, his dentition figured into the equation as well.
The bridle was an instant success! Of course, Doc was already solidly schooled to about 2nd level dressage (thanks to my daughter). He moved easily off the leg and seat, was forward, and came readily onto the bit, etc. Although he could be opinionated and sassy, he was kind and responsive and rarely continued to resist.
As willing as he was, what was *immediately* apparent with the bitless was that he didn't need to be reminded not to lean on the left rein and his canter departs in both directions were bang-on...no hesitation or resistance, no taking the wrong lead. They were just there! And there he was -- on the bit -- with nothing at all in his mouth except his teeth ;-) .
Bridling remained a bit of a game -- probably because it had been uncomfortable for him for so long -- but the resistance became more playful than determined -- and at 16.2hh, he could make himself VERY tall when he was really determined ;-)! After that first ride in it, he never had a bit in his mouth again -- even when my daughter took him out for gallops!
That said, Doc was already a well-schooled horse by the time I discovered the bitless bridle. I've tried to use it a few times on my little QH mare, but find she tends to lean on it. As she has some physical problems I'm hoping we can overcome that cause her to resist moving forward, I'm hoping to try her in it again -- IF I can get her sound.
I really loved using the bitless bridle on my TB. I had to euthanize him here about a month ago, and I'm so glad that in the last 2-3 years of his life we'd found something that really improved not only his way of going, but how he felt about his job. It was really thrilling to watch!
Jeanette
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Member:
leilani
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Posted on Monday, Aug 20, 2007 - 7:36 pm:
Thank you Jeanette. This all started when I hopped on Anuhea for the first time bareback. I wasn't prepared so we rode in her halter. I was talking to my friend about looking into bosals and she suggested me borrowing a BB from the lady who owns the barn she boards at.
I tried it yesterday with saddle and it was amazing. She was wonderful, responsive, etc. Today we'll try it bareback.
This is all so much fun. I rode my older mare bareback everywhere, but used a snaffle. Don't know where I'm going with this: she's barefoot, bareback and bit-less.
Leilani
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New Member:
cdhale
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 21, 2007 - 10:36 am:
I bought Dr. Cook's bridles for our 2 horses 6 months ago. The boys (8 yr old OTTB and 13 yr old quarter) are very happy with them. The thoroughbred has a short mouth and low palate, I read that it's hard to bit that kind of mouth, but I couldn't find much info on what to use and tried 4 different bits. He tends to resist and toss his head. A lack of knowledge on my part has made this very frustrating. My instructor told me he was being disrespectful, but whenever I've had a problem with him, I've found that it was discomfort of some kind and we've been able to fix it. The bitless is perfect, they are both responsive to it. I don't know if it's coincidence but the quarterhorse moves out better than he used to. I'm not a very experienced rider, so I'll bet that the horses are happiest about the lack of any accidental pulling or banging. We were having a gallop with another horse and he came right back down to a trot with a gentle ask, I wasn't sure of what kind of stop I would get when he was excited. I've read posts about it being ineffective with bucking. The quarterhorse put his head down in a canter and started to buck, I was able to bring his head up and it stopped, granted, he probably wasn't putting a big effort into it. Anyway, I feel secure with the bitless bridles and I'm thrilled that It's working for all of us.
Carole
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 21, 2007 - 11:08 am:
Jeanette and Carole, Thank you for info it all sounds great in fact Carole your horses mouth sounds like my MFT mare! Think will give it a try! Cindy
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 22, 2007 - 7:51 am:
Cindy have you ever tried a sidepull on your mare?
I also researched the bitless bridle when I was having bit problems with Hank (my bad hands). I thought before I invested in the bitless bridle, I would try the sidepull. He went so well in the sidepull, I didn't need to buy the BB. I have loaned my side pull to quite a few people having bit problems and they all have gone to one.
I have one I can send you if you don't have access to one if you'd like to try one out.
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 22, 2007 - 11:27 am:
My husband uses those on Zarr and Whiskey but have not found one to fit Ellie, they hang down to her nostrils and Pest has trouble with fit also but they sure work for the guys! Cindy
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Member:
alarson
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 22, 2007 - 1:33 pm:
My 7 year old son took an interest in riding and brought my 27 year old mare out of retirement. For the last 25 years, she's been neck-reined only. After a few lessons with her in a french-link snaffle bit, I could see his beginners hands were a bit too heavy for her even with the gentle bit - both horse and rider were frustrated. On the advice of our local tack store owner, I invested in Dr. Cook's Bitless Bridle (she doesn't sell them in her store, but promotes them anyway!) My mare is much happier. Even when he forgets to neck rein and direct reins instead, she doesn't get agitated. Because of the design of the bridle, when he does direct rein instead of neck rein, she still understands what he is asking and will respond correctly but with a bit of a delay. After he spent some time riding her in a controlled area with the bitless, I was confident they were communicating well enough to go trail riding. He's been on a couple of successful trail rides in the bitless. My mare is so happy to be out of retirement and back on the trail again! Her ground manners go out the window when she sees the trailer - she'll drag you to the trailer for fear of being left behind - she's ready to go!
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Member:
erika
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 - 10:38 am:
I LOVE my Dr. Cook's Bitless Bridles!
We've had several threads on it and most who have tried it love it. I use mine for trail and hunter paces on my trained horses.
Cleo, the greenhorn, gets it on the trail with company, but I still practice with a snaffle so she can go in a bit when necessary.
For general riding around, nothing beats it for comfort and ease. I suppose with higher learning a bit would be better, but my horses are very comfy and responsive to it.
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Member:
ilona
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Posted on Saturday, Aug 25, 2007 - 4:09 pm:
I have switched to Bitless Bridles exclusively. Every single one of my horses is happier with this tool. Horses that used to fight the bit, were head shy, head tossers etc all now help me put on their bridles!, seriously. I will never go back to a bit My gaited horses all gait better and to the horse are responsive to a lighter hand. I cannot speak highly enough of the product and its results.
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Member:
lilo
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 26, 2007 - 12:49 pm:
Ilona - do you think it would make my "trotty" Rocky Mountain gelding gait better. He does gait - but is not smooth (I actually like his trot better).
All these good testimonials make me rethink my stance - I do get somewhat turned off by the website that claims that bits are practically torture instruments and inhibit a horse's breathing etc. etc. (this is from memory - I have not been to the website in a long while).
I am thinking of my grandson (9 years old) who is starting to ride the gelding and obviously has a ways to go before he develops an independent hand.
Lilo
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Member:
ilona
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Posted on Monday, Aug 27, 2007 - 12:30 pm:
Lilo,
Yes I do believe it will make a difference, especially with a young rider. The way I explain to people how the bridle works is to gently push the side of the humans face from behind in the direction I would be wanting the horse to go. To demonstrate the function of the stop I gently squeeze both sides of the humans face simultaneously. People really understand with that demonstration and then tend to have more responsive hands when in the saddle. I hope this helps.
In addition one of the struggles gaited horses have is with the trees of saddles. They tend to interfere with the rounding of the back that is needed for a good gait. Horses tend to hollow out to avoid the discomfort or even the pain that the rigidity of the tree inflicts. In doing this they raise their head which in combination of the hollowed back inhibits gait significantly. That is why I use treeless saddles. I have to tell you, that the first time I rode my big TWH both treeless and bitless I could swear he was laughing with joy. I will never ever forget that ride. It was a trail route we had taken so often before and he was truly joyful that time, it was so markedly different.
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Member:
lilo
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Posted on Monday, Aug 27, 2007 - 2:08 pm:
Ilona,
Thanks for your response. I really thought I was through spending money on tack. I do have a wide tree saddle for the gelding that was checked by the saddle fitter and he does seem comfortable in it.
I am using a short shank Tennessee Walking Horse bit at this time - but just tried him with a full cheek linked snaffle (Myler Bit) and I think he will be controllable with that. He does quite well with the Walking Horse bit as far as being comfortable.
I might have to save up for the bitless bridle ....
Which treeless saddle do you like? How I wish I could come to the September HA vacation - I could see all this firsthand!
Lilo
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Member:
kthorse
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Posted on Monday, Aug 27, 2007 - 7:27 pm:
I love this bridle. I have soooooooo many friends converted that will never go back to a bit. Not good for a bucker though. Best invention ever I think.
Katrina
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Member:
ilona
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 28, 2007 - 10:38 am:
Lilo,
I use Bob Marshall saddles. I get them off Ebay, lightly used. Saves a lot of money. There are other treeless saddles around, if you Google "treeless saddle sale" you will find many manufacturers in all different price ranges. What I like is that I can fit the human to the saddle size knowing that the saddle will fit any horse well. That's a BIG plus for me.
When you are next in Roswell, come and spend a couple of days here with me, its an open invitation.
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New Member:
lizgo
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Posted on Tuesday, Feb 5, 2008 - 9:27 pm:
I guess I'm the sole dissenter. I tried the Bitless Bridle on my gelding because he has a low palate and a thick tongue, making many bits uncomfortable. He hated it! The bridle exerts pressure on the poll and that caused my horse to try and rear. I tried both the nylon and the leather versions, thinking that maybe the nylon wasn't releasing properly.
Last year I tried the LG bridle which is a circle-shaped hackamore and that seems to be the ticket. You can use it in several configurations -- as a simple side pull, with mild mechanical hackamore action, or by adding shanks you can make a more traditional hackamore. My horse goes wonderfully in this. I even foxhunt in it!
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Member:
chrism
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Posted on Wednesday, Feb 6, 2008 - 9:01 am:
I had one for my older horse and wasn't wild about it. She will go bridleless in the ring and in a sidepull, though normally she is in a conventional bridle and solid, somewhat thin, fulmer bit. I didn't see anything special with the bitless (thought it was over sold) and sold mine on.
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