from www.thehorse.com Previous studies evaluating the behavioural responses of horses to different types of bridles found that horses perform at least as well, if not better, with a bitless bridle than a jointed snaffle. To probe deeper into the issue, Robert Cook, FRCVS, PhD, and Daniel Mills, BVSc, PhD, IL […]
Bitless Bridles Seen as Safer Alternative for Horses in New Study Read More »
by Cynthia Cooper Over the past 5 or 6 years bitless bridles have increased in popularity and so have the number of available styles. Like bits, they can have very different actions and levels of comfort for the horse, so choosing a bitless bridle comes down to knowing how the
Choosing the Best Bitless Bridle Read More »
Until a few years ago there used to be very few choices if you wanted to ride without a bit in your horse’s mouth. There was the western style bosal, the mechanical hackamore or the rope halter, mostly used by western riders, showjumpers and endurance riders in that order. But
Bitless Bridles – What’s the Difference? Read More »
by Josepha at Dressage In Hand Q: How do I get connection with my horse without a bit? A: First of all, I ask the question to each person what ‘connection’ is according to them. What people mostly say is the following: “The rider energises the horse with the legs (impulsion),
Getting a Bitless Connection Read More »
By Cynthia Cooper The term ‘on the bit’ has become commonplace and used to denote a certain frame or level of head carriage and collection of the horse. But what happens when you don’t have a bit in your horse’s mouth? Can your horse still collect and if they do,
Riding Bitless – ‘On the Bridle’ Read More »
By Cynthia Cooper © There’s a saying – “Go shoe-less but not clue-less” so here’s another – “Go bit-less but not wit-less”. (I’m sure it’s been said before)! So you’ve decided to listen to your horse and get rid of the bit. You may have read about or heard of
How to transition to a Bitless Bridle Read More »
by Philip Nye What is disengagement? Firstly, it’s the opposite of engagement or full power as a disengaged horse has relaxed and yielded all its power. It has released its power to the hindquarters mainly but also softened and released its shoulders, head, and neck. The horse overall is relaxed,
Disengagement is a Powerful Control Read More »
by Liz Mitten-Ryan I feel strongly about this topic as I have a herd of fourteen warmbloods that have lived without bits and shoes. They are as God made them, living on 320 acres, of meadows, hills and rocky terrain, enormous, well fed, 1500 pound animals who are joyous and
Barefoot and Bridle-less Read More »
Insurance or lack of it is a big issue at the moment for many horse riding activities so if you’re lucky enough to be covered, it may pay to check what activities you’re covered for. You may also like to check if there are any exclusions such as no coverage
Insurance Issues for Bitless Bridles or No Helmet. Read More »
Is bitless riding the same as with a bit? When riding with a bitless bridle, there are some perceived, and a couple of real differences to riding with a bit that will help with your transition and training. Confident riders and well educated horses who have a good basic foundation
Bitless Riding Differences Read More »
At Equitana in Sydney, 61 people took part in the ‘Lucky Straw Draw’ – experiencing how it feels to hold a plastic drink straw in their mouth like a bit, for as long as possible. Some barely managed 2 minutes, others did it for 20 minutes! Here’s what they felt…..
The Straw Experiment Read More »
© Glenn Wilson July 2011 A look at some reasons why a person chooses to ride their horse bitless. These may be reasons that are not immediately apparent. The decision by some horse riders to go bitless brings many of them face to face with more controversy, more issues, more
Bitless – Challenges and Solutions Read More »
