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  Discussion on Dr. Cooks bitless bridle
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Member:
Boomer

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 12, 2006 - 2:46 pm:

I'm just wondering if anyone has experience with this type of bridle? I don't but was given one and don't know anyone who has used one..
Member:
Kthorse

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 12, 2006 - 8:45 pm:

Do a search on this site. They are absolutly wonderful in my opinion. However not great on a horse who bucks. Most horses love them and they have excellent control.
Member:
Cpacer

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 12, 2006 - 8:54 pm:

I have. I got it as a training aid for myself, not my horse--to get myself not to pull back on the reins as a natural reaction when my horse goes too fast. Don't know why, probably psychological on my part along with some really skinny flimsy reins, but I stopped doing it, and have since switched back to a regular bridle.

My trainer didn't like this bridle because it doesn't completely release pressure as quickly and my horse started resenting it during training. They mention the release "feeling" in the brochure, but I don't know if it was really addressed.

I think the bridle is fine and I may pull it out for trail rides once in a while---I loved the fact that there's no bit to clean, and my horse I'm sure liked being able to graze while on breaks.

I think it would be great to try in place of those crazy bit contraptions on a horse that's considered difficult. It does offer great control. Have you tried it yet? My horse took right to it, but I always wondered if he missed having something in his mouth to fidget with.

Not sure if that helps, let me know if you have any questions I may be able to answer. Lucky if you got it for free!
Member:
Cheryl

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 13, 2006 - 8:09 am:

I've used the Dr. Cook bridle for the past 6 years - and love it. All I do is trail riding and it allows me to assist my horse if she stumbles without gigging her mouth. It also supplies all the control I need. I can't remember the name of the material it's made of - looks and feels like leather but is totally washable. Super easy care.
Member:
Jivete

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 13, 2006 - 10:18 am:

I like it for trails, etc, but I didn't care for it for arena work. I found my mare liked to lean on it.
Member:
Boomer

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 13, 2006 - 1:37 pm:

I have a stupid question, do you handle it the same as a bit bridle? I mean steering, backing and stopping? I am mostly western pleasure and trail but have a tiny bit of english experience not much to even count really.
Member:
Erika

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 13, 2006 - 9:45 pm:

Love this bridle. I use it on all my horses for trails and hunter paces. Good for casual riding but I don't think you can show in it--English, anyway.
Yes, you use it just like any bitted bridle. I imagine you could neck rein, too.
Member:
Ilona

Posted on Sunday, Sep 17, 2006 - 6:21 pm:

I have transferred all our horses onto this bitless bridle and my only regret was that I did not do this sooner. My horses are so significantly happier and I have found that we all ride with a lighter hand. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Member:
Boomer

Posted on Monday, Sep 18, 2006 - 1:28 pm:

THANKS!I'll take your advice and try it it's got to feel better than a bit..
Member:
Calico

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 19, 2006 - 7:08 am:

I have been using Dr. Cook's bitless bridle in my training business for several years now. I start all my colts in it and use it exclusively for the first 60 days. I love it and so do the horses. Caution: It can get you in trouble with a problem horse if you trust the horse in it too quickly. I almost got killed using it on a horse with a run away problem. Of course, I was not warned that the horse had this problem. I learned the hard way and believe me it was a hard lesson.
Bottom line is, it is a great product and our association (IJA) lets us show in them, both english and western.
Member:
Djws

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 19, 2006 - 11:43 pm:

I use the Bitless Bridle on my OTT Standardbred, Biv. After years of harsh bits, overchecks, and having his tongue tied, he hated any bit I tried to use. Biv would toss his head, grind his teeth (they had been recently floated), work diligently to get his tongue over any bit, etc. I was concerned that part of his problem was from my "beginner's" hands.

After much frustration for the two of us, I ordered one of these bridles.

I can't applaud enough! I love it! Biv loves it! It was almost magical for us.

We are both so much more relaxed using this bridle. I no longer have to worry that I am being heavy handed.

Yes, you can also neck rein using this product.

I highly recommend it, and plan on using the Bitless Bridle for any future horses that I acquire.

Look at www.bitlessbridle.com for the explanation of the bridle's concept, mechanics, and tons of testimonies.

DJ
Member:
Cgby1

Posted on Saturday, Sep 23, 2006 - 11:22 pm:

I have a mare that is nearly impossible to put a bit in her mouth. When you do get it in she will try to bite down on it at the slightest pressure. I have tried happy bits but she bit through them right down to the thin cable. I am using a 3-part bit with a roller. It is jointed so that it swivels but she can't pick it up to get her teeth on it so easily. She also has been bad about bucking so I am wondering if you can do a one rein stop with this bridle. If I catch her the second that she starts then I can stop her but if she gets going I'm gone, literally. If this bridle works like a snaffle then it may be the answer I am looking for. Her mother also was sensitive but we got along great. Thanks
Member:
Kthorse

Posted on Sunday, Sep 24, 2006 - 7:30 am:

Hi Cynthia, This is my favourite bridle. However I cannot use it on my horse because he is a bucker with it. Only because he knows I can't stop the buck with this bridle. Even with the one rein. He gets his head in a position that makes it impossible to stop it. Except for the bucking he is wonderful in it. I have to use a snaffle on this horse so I dont get bucked off.
I called the company a few years back about the problem and they said to run leather from the nose peice up over the poll to the saddle. It stopped the buck but he was not able to stretch. I did not like it at all. I dont think it is a good bridle for a horse who bucks.
Katrina
Member:
Cgby1

Posted on Monday, Sep 25, 2006 - 8:30 pm:

Thanks for the info Katrina, I know what they were talking about. It is used in driving, it is called an overcheck. It was also used on children's ponies to stop them from DrOpping their head to graze. I have also used it to stop her from bucking, but you have to release it so she can drink. It also can be severe if they suddenly throw their head down. I prefer not to use it which is why I am interested in an alternative.
Member:
theresab

Posted on Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 - 2:07 pm:

I know this is an old discussion but after much reading on here, I ordered a bitless bridle today to give it a try. With a 30 day money back guarantee I figured I'd give it a shot on two of my horses.

Horse #1- 16 y/o retired 1D barrel horse. Doesn't go anywhere very fast anymore. I tried riding her in a standard snaffle as she had been thrown in a pasture for 5 years without any attention. She hated it, pulled on the bit, tossed her head, DrOpped her nose and was resistant to bitting in general. I switched her to a standard curb bit and she was much better but I can tell she's not a fan of a bit in her mouth. I can ride her with a halter and lead rope and she's as happy as can be. She's my step daughters horse though, and since she is an inexperienced rider I'm not comfortable having her ride with the halter and she's heavy handed with the bit. I envision the bitless most likely to be hers.

#2- 6 y/o green broke mare. Had 1 year of cutting training a few years prior to me buying her. Again was in pasture untouched for a year or so. I've been working with her in a standard snaffle and she fights the bit, head tossing, ear pinning, DrOpping her nose- just fighting in general. I had her teeth done 3 months ago and vet found a bit of wolf tooth that he removed-but still no improvement. I can ride her with a halter and lead rope, she moves off of leg and verbal cues nicely and doesn't fight- but once that bit is in her mouth it turns into a wrestling match. I haven't ridden her outside the round pen with the halter though and honestly I'm afraid to try. I liken it to strapping myself to a 1000 pound rocket- I'd like some sort of guidance system for her. She is fast and wants to go, but listens well to me keeping her in check. She crow hops a little with the snaffle but hasn't offered to full buck. Yesterday after only 20 minutes of walk/trot in the field I felt like I'd been lifting arm weights for hours. I don't want to show her right now, I just want to be able to peacefully ride her around the property.

I'm to blame for the snaffle problems. When I put her in the snaffle and head stall in the round pen to lunge her she tosses her head for a second or two and then settles in nicely at any gait. I've always ridden loose rein with a curb bit(over 30 years) and when I start to get nervous I don't think I'm keeping my hands in the correct spot. When I feel the rocket start tense I get tense and it sort of feeds upon itself. She pulls, I pull, she raises her head way up and makes a ton of slack in reins then DrOps her nose as far as she can. She hasn't bolted or done anything overly silly. She just moves really fast off her front end, like a cutting horse and I'm worried if I go much faster than a walk she'll move and I'll be hovering in air space for a moment before gravity kicks in.

Ideally next year we'll buy a truck and trailer and I can take lessons with her to build my confidence and hand positions in an arena with lots of deep sand. Finances don't allow for that right now though so I'm just trying to make due with what I have.

If this doesn't work I may try the curb bit to see if she settles down or work more on the ground driving. If I can scrounge up some extra cash I may send her off for a month of refresher training, if my trainer will come pick her up.

I'll post any experiences I have with the bridle good or bad.
Member:
boots

Posted on Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 - 5:12 pm:

My QH mare fairly "smiled" when I first put the Dr. Cooks bitless bridle on her. I ride her on trail and ring. She did have a 4" curb, no port. She is just as responsive and well behaved with the bitless. As a rider, I can't tell the difference. Good Luck.
Member:
theresab

Posted on Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 - 10:03 pm:

I'm hoping since this is such an old thread I'm not highjacking it.

Okay I hate to say it but in anticipation of the bitless bridle arriving on Monday, I went ahead and experimented with horse #2 (Paris). First I put the curb bit in her mouth and she was miserable. I could see it in her eyes and it didn't sit properly in her mouth. I just did the head stall and bit and she was worse than before. I went back to the snaffle and lounged her first. I paid extra attention to her head and what was going on. Sure enough she was tossing her head every so often while lunging. I saw the curb strap was hitting her in the chin and that would make her toss her head which would make her toss her head again. I was a subtle toss but once I started looking for it, I could see it. I removed the curb strap and she was much happier on the ground.

We then moved on to some ground driving and she wasn't a fan but got better with work. I would release the pressure to go when she would carry her head properly and let her slow to a walk or stop. She's very smart and catches on to things very quickly. All my gates have to be opened with two hands because anything one handed she manages to open. All of this took about 30 minutes to get to.

Finally I took her for a ride down the road. Normally we ride in the back field and work on leg cues and such. I was nervous about traffic and such but she did wonderfully. Vehicles flying by didn't even phase her. She maintained a good pace, left the herd behind with no fuss. The only time she got a little excited was on the way home when she could see the other horses running and bucking in the field. Still she was pretty good.

Finally, when I got home I inspected her mouth and lips really well. Sure enough the cheap O-ring snaffle is pinching the corners of her mouth. There was just a little bit of hair and skin pulled up, nothing is raw or even pink, but real close inspection found it. Tomorrow I'll pick up a D-ring or eggbutt snaffle to work her with in the mean time.

I had written off her head tossing as a problem from the wolf tooth. Close inspection and a sharp eye allowed me to see how wrong I was. If these few changes made such a change in her, I'm so excited to try the bitless. She may be as much fun as I hope to ride, nice and mellow when I want her to be, and still my rocket when I feel the need for speed.
Member:
lhenning

Posted on Friday, Apr 1, 2011 - 1:03 pm:

Theresa,

Good for you! A little detective work and you may have found a big solution to the problem.

However, one thing caught my eye in your previous post. You spoke about your nervous reaction, the reins, her head going up, and needing better hands. I have made the same reaction when my horse was a "rocket", and learned one very important rule. The more nervous the horse, the LOOSER the reins need to be. Sit deep in the saddle, relax your back,and let the reins DrOp when you feel her thinking about exploding. Let your body say "reeelllaaaxxx", even if you don't feel it. Think about your breathing. Take in a breath, then let it out in five short breaths so the exhale lasts longer than the inhale. Think of a song in your mind and sing it to yourself. Most of all, get both of you busy. Give her a job to do and one that you both have to think about, like leg yields or serpentines.

The more we try to hold their heads, the more excited and upset they get. Ride from the back to the front, not vise versa, even when too much "go" is the issue.
Member:
theresab

Posted on Friday, Apr 1, 2011 - 1:29 pm:

Linda, thanks for the advice, I'll try to keep that in mind. I know I sit deep and she responds to that but my instinct is to keep the reins tight. She threw a fit the other day while riding because she didn't want to go home. I started riding back down the drive way and she just stopped and started tossing her head around.
I bought a french link snaffle to try on her as well as the bitless. My bitless arrived this week but of course the weather became uncooperative. It's finally nice for the weekend so I'll post how it goes for both of them.

I looked at her papers again and she's only 5 this year, I guess I bought her as a 4 year old. Not that a year should make that much difference in her behavior but somehow it makes me feel better about it.

Theresa
Member:
theresab

Posted on Friday, Apr 1, 2011 - 8:09 pm:

Tried the Bridle tonight with the old mare. Just like I figured, she loved it. She walked faster and was more than happy to go on a long walk. You could see her eyes were softer and overall she seemed rather pleased with herself. .

Tomorrow I'll try it on Paris in the round pen. One problem with that is she always goes well in the round pen, it's when we get out in the open she starts to get silly.

Wish me luck!
Theresa
Member:
cometrdr

Posted on Monday, Apr 4, 2011 - 7:41 pm:

I have both a bitless and an English Hackamore. I prefer the english Hack and use it almost 100% of the time on my explosive horse. I agree too with Linda - the looser the rein the calmer the horse. when he does key up and i would pull in the reins he prances - and it gets geometric. he gets more nervous making me nervous. but when I make it a very concienous effort - like she said Breath in then longer out. think of your self as a wet Spagetti noodle - sit loose feel loose - become a noodle and your horse will calm down too and then the whole loose rein thing works again.
Good advice Linda -
but then again for the record - LOVE the English Hack - nothing in the mouth - just then nice loose leather nose piece and loose reins.
Member:
lynnland

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 5, 2011 - 11:28 am:

Hi Gang,

Just and addition. English hackmores are not considered a gentle bridle and often you will see some pretty extreme reaction in horses that are new to it. It requires a much softer, steadier hand than the bitless bridle. Good luck with your critters!
Member:
lynnland

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 5, 2011 - 11:32 am:

oops, forgot to mention that the amount of leverage (length of the steel piece on the sides of the mouth) play a big role in how "gentle" (or not) your hackmore is.
Member:
theresab

Posted on Monday, Apr 18, 2011 - 1:11 pm:

I finally got an opportunity to ride the young mare with the bitless bridle this weekend. I tried it on her in the round pen first, lunging and she was quiet, receptive and a much different attitude than usual. I read the instructions and was worried about the "whee I'm free" possibility with her. It went so well I rode her in the round pen after only a few circles and again, she was very mellow. Thought to myself "This is going GREAT, let's hit the road".

As long as she was in sight of the other horses she was fine we even stopped and chatted with the neighbors for bit and she let their 4 y/o little boy walk up and pet her. He shared his popcorn with her.

Once we rounded the far corner though, she through a hissy fit. It started with throwing her head around which would usually result in a single rein tug of war to keep her from bolting. When that didn't work, she started rearing to which I just kept my balance forward and hung on. Then she bucked a few times, again I just rode it out. Finally she ended her performance with a bow, literally. She stretched her front legs way out and lowered her nose to the ground, dipping her body down. I have no idea where that came from. With the bitless, I didn't get scared or nervous though. I felt like I had better control during the fit than with the bit, which she has figured out tricks to avoid. When she was done with her fit, I made her continue away from home for about about a minute then stand nicely before turning around.

Can anyone offer any opinions on how I handled her spectacle or what I should have done different? My mission was not to end up on the ground but not to let her bolt home either. I sat deep and loose to maintain my balance, when she would try to move towards home I pulled her head to the side to make her do a circle or just stand there flexed. At one point I thought we were going to end up going backwards home until she realized that wasn't working, and stomped her foot, swished her tail and moved onto something else. I'm worried about it escalating though, I don't think I let her get her way with the fit but will it be worse next time?
Member:
canter

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 - 7:25 am:

Hi Theresa,
Congratulations on handling the hissy fit! I think you probably won round #1. My guess is that she may try this a few more times, before deciding that you are more determined than she is and finally giving in.

I can think of one thing that may help. You say she was well behaved until you 'rounded the far corner'. If the footing and area is safe, think about working her hard before that far corner - anywhere near the barn/other horses, up to that corner. Lots of turns, figure 8's, serpantines, etc. Work your way to that corner, and once you go around it, let her relax. If she doesn't, go back to where you were and start up the work again, moving towards that corner. Go around it, give her the option to relax. She should soon relate crossing that corner with less work/relaxation. If she's really good, perhaps let her reach down for a nibble of grass. Once that 'boundary' is crossed with no fits, keep moving forward. If at any point, she starts getting agitated, bring her back to where the last state of relaxation was and continue the work, again with the goal of moving her farther away with the option to have a breather.

You could even start this same process from the ground, if you are more comfortable that way - working her up to that corner, crossing it and then letting her graze further and further away.

This process really worked with my mare, who had never seen anything but the inside of an arena when I bought her. She is a relatively laid back horse, but taking her outside away from the barn made her tense - but as much as I enjoy dressage, I also wanted to give us both a mental break from 4 walls (or fences) and wanted to enjoy working her outside in the fields. She now really looks forward to going beyond the arenas, either to cool out on a long rein or continue with our work.

Good luck!
Member:
tdiana

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 - 3:43 pm:

Hi Everybody,
this bridle is a wonderful tool. I am an instructor under Dr. Cooks program (called a Bitless Bridle Instructor). In case I can be of any assistance to anyone with this bridle please feel free to contact me directly at: diana@risingsunranch.org
I specialize as a trainer in horses with severe behavioral issues and have used this bridle on some cases that where so to speak "out of control" with great success. Anyway, feel free to ask. I love being a resource to anyone who cares about their horse
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