Collection without bit?

Question

My horse cannot have a bit in his mouth, what can I do to get him collected and round? What type of headgear can I use such as hackamore,etc. I tried a bitless bridle attachment on him and I hated it. I dont know if the real ones are any more effective. He goes good in the jim warner hackamore but I need something to get him collected/round. This is what i bought for the bitless bridle:

http://cgi.ebay.com/HORSE-BITLESS-BRIDLE-ROPE-HACKAMORE-BOSAL-BLACK-PINK_W0QQitemZ370066142412QQihZ024QQcategoryZ3177QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Answer 1

I love the idea of horses having 'a round outline' in the hackamore..........beacause horses are not 'forced not the bit .......therefore a more relaxed horse.... more responsive to your aids.

Think about your seat, a horse cannot be expected to be balanced if you have a bad seat.

So, I am attaching this link as I feel it explains the process I would use to gain a 'classical feel' to my horse!

http://www.artofriding.com/articles/onth...

Have fun........and well done for not trying all the 'gagets' used nowadays for forcing horses into these outlines!

Answer 2

Collection comes from behind, not from headgear.  And it takes a lot of time and work.  He can learn collection in anything, a halter, bitless bridle, etc, but he isn't going to learn it if you are trying to just hold his head in.  Try transitions, they work really well to get him using his hindquarters and collecting.

Answer 3

Why don't you try a bosal.  Here is some info on it.  I tried one on my horse, it was functional and I liked using it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosal

http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_...

http://www.horses-and-horse-information....

I hope this helps!

Answer 4

Why can't he have a bit?? Teeth? Tongue? Injury? Just curious.....

Whether finding the right bit or hackamore/bitless bridle, it takes time & trials. Did he become collected/round with a bit? If yes, then it'll most likely take up to several rides in the new bridle w/o bit for the two of you to work out the communication gap. Take the time, don't push too hard.

Answer 5

The Dr Cook bitless bridle is best, and you can get good collection with it (but you can also do that with other bitless bridles). the Dr Cook is better since it distributes pressure painlessly over the whole head.

Collection is about your seat and legs....if you know how to sit deep and leg your horse forward, as long as you can keep him from breaking gait, you can achieve collection to the degree that your horse's build will allow. Lateral work helps to develop collection and that can be accomplished with the Dr. Cook better than with other bitless gear, but a lot depends on your skill.

Answer 6

well hackamores are generaly only used in gaming or just playing around. if you want your horse round (collected) you wont be able to use a hackamore or bitless bridle in shows and competitions. it sound to me that if the bit causes him irritation you should go to the vet and see if there is some reason that bits are a problem.

hope i could help

Answer 7

Try a leather bitless with a chain over and under the nose to act as an outer bit. Just don't pull the reins that much. To get him collected. This is what i learned, keep your rib cage down, sit down on your but, shoulders back, and use your knees as if you were lifting the saddle up with you. Keep your thighs squeezing down on the saddle as well  use these aids and you horse is going to get collected for sure. To check if your using the aids right apply them one by one, watch his ears. Hope that helped

Answer 8

My daughter uses an English hackamore on her pony and he works "on the bit" without the bit if you get my drift.

http://www.horselovers-tackapparel.com/c...

http://www.plasequestrian.co.uk/images/e...