For those who believe in the comfort and physical/psychological health of their horse, a bitless bridle is a natural choice.
One hundred or more behavioral problems in the horse are bit-induced. Bits are a common cause of bone spurs on the bars of the mouth and head shaking (facial neuralgia) along with many behavioral problems such as bolting, rearing, teeth grinding, head tossing, and being hard to bridle.
A bitless bridle can provide better communication than a bit or natural hackamore/rope halter, and more reliable brakes and backup than a bit. Freedom from pain results in calmness and confidence and this can even translate to a better stride and improved movement, including improved hoof function.
A Bitless Bridle is a wonderful tool for starting young horses under saddle as it allows them to focus on learning the aids instead of worrying about the discomfort and strange new feeling in their mouth from a bit. And there are plenty of riders who have taken horses to high levels of education bitless proving that good education can replace the bit or any other piece of equipment we use on the horse to control it.
Many entrepreneurial riders have now manufactured bitless bridles to give us plenty of choices to suit different horses and disciplines. The styles and types now available vary widely from those with overall head-hugging pressure, to leverage, to simple nose pressure. These are available in a large range of materials from rope to leather and synthetic and can be either a full bridle or a noseband attachment.
For example, my contribution to the bitless revolution is the LightRider Bitless Bridle (one style pictured here) that horses love for its gentle action and comfort, and riders love for its good looks. “We can use a bit of steel and pain (or the threat of it) to control our horse OR we can use a bit of education and understanding – which do you choose?” The articles below will help you understand more about the different bitless bridles and how they work.
Bitless Science
The science around riding bitless is limited but here are some helpful articles and sources. Both of these articles have… Read More
More articles for more detailed information:
- Tradition or Science of bitting: Which do we follow? By Dr R. Cook
- Is the bit really so cruel? Many more articles by Dr R. Cook
- Why a LightRider Bridle and their benefits
- To Bit or Not To Bit – by Janene Clemence This article details the damage bits can cause to horses.
Click here for more Bitless Resources
A list of insurance companies, instructors, clubs, associations and breed groups that allow the use of bitless bridles.
Hi I’m after the bitless nose part converter that attaches to my bridle . I would like black leather in warmblood size. I live in NZ the South Island and it looks like you can still post to here. Thanks Fiona
Hi Fiona,
Yes we can post to New Zealand and here’s the page to purchase the LightRider Bitless Noseband: https://www.naturalhorseworldstore.com/categories/Bitless-Bridles/
Cheers, Cynthia.
I want to buy a dr cook bitless bridle but no one will post to Australia!!!!!!!
You could try https://www.happyhorsesbitless.com/ – I’m sure they sell the Dr Cook bridles in Australia.
Hi I am looking for a kind Bitless bridle for our rescue he is shire boy who is approx 17.2 hh please
Wonderful to hear you’re going bitless with your Shire gelding.
I’d highly recommend the https://www.naturalhorseworldstore.com/products/LightRider-Bitless-Bridle-Rope-Performer.html which we do in a warmblood/draft size that should fit him but it always pays to check your horse’s measurements and compare on the chart here: https://www.naturalhorseworldstore.com/buying/buying-guides/bitless-bridle-sizing-guide/