Can anyone tell me the difference between a bitless bridle and a side pull.?

Question

I know a bitless is much more expensive so if I can get away with a side pull, I would prefer that. Thanks.

Answer 1

well, from what I've figured out a side pull is very much like putting reins on a halter and riding.. (so just nose pressure for stopping and turning)

while a bit less bridle is fancy, using pressure points and being designed to fit a horses head perfectly..

i think..

sorry, I'm not much help..

Answer 2

Some of the other answers are in line relative to difference.  However, the bitless will give you improved ability to communicate and control as it allows for this to happen in a more complete manner -  all around the head and face and muzzle.  Also, if you just look around, you can find these now at a very reasonable price.  Works well and gives the horse's mouth and your hands a break and time to learn how to communicate better.  Go for the bitless bridle.

Answer 3

A sidepull is a bitless bridle which allows the reins to be attached to the headstall on the side of the horse's face -thus its "side pull" designation. Most sidepulls have a lariat rope or narrow nylon rope as the over-the-nose piece to give the rider a way to exert some directional and stopping pressure on the horse's nose.

The Bitless Bridle works on an entirely different concept from all other types of bridles. A bitted bridle enables the rider to communicate by applying pressure on the exquisitely sensitive mouth. The traditional bitless bridles (i.e., the Hackamores, bosals and sidepulls) work primarily through pressure on the nose. All these methods, the bit method and the traditional bitless methods, are potentially painful. The Bitless Bridle™, on the other hand, allows the rider to communicate by painless pressure that is distributed around the whole of the head. Whereas a bit often applies harsh pressure to the mouth, over a small area, The Bitless Bridle™ distributes its gentle pressure to far less sensitive tissues and distributes even this amount of pressure over a wide area. It does this through two loops, one over the poll and one over the nose. Essentially, it gives the rider an inoffensive and benevolent method of communication by applying a nudge to one half of the head (for steering) or a hug to the whole of the head (for stopping). Because The Bitless Bridle™ exerts minimal pressure and spreads this over a large and less critical area, it is more humane than a bit. It provides better communication, promotes a true partnership between horse and rider, and does not interfere with either breathing or striding. As a result, performance is improved.

I wasn't exactly sure of the differences other than the obvious (Side pull- reins attached to the sides great for turning/bitless bridle works off of pole and nose pressure, etc..) so I did a little research for ya....

Answer 4

I'm not 100% sure but i advise against the use of a bitless bridle. This is because of where the 'noseband' sits. The noseband (where the pressure is applied for the use of control) sits right on a nerve. This is uncomfortable for the horse and has been known to cause breathing issues in sensitive horses. They find it very uncomfortable. Goodluck XD

Answer 5

A sidepull works off pressure on the muzzle, and a Dr. Cook bitless bridle distributes pressure over the whole head.

if the pressure on the muzzle is okay, then it should be fine...it's a matter of preference.  I have the Dr. Cook and I love it...I've used mild hackemores and bosals in the past...I wouldn't use a hackemore again, maybe a bosal.  I never tried a sidepull.