Should I go Bitless?

Question

Wanted you opinions on bitless bridles (dr cook), do they work, I've got a 16.1 id who's in a french link snaffle and shes fine in it but I can't help thinking that she'd be happier without a bit shoved in her gob.

Also got 2 young geldings and was thinking of going bitless with them too. what's your thoughts??

Answer 1

i dont find a bitless bridle at all helpful, especially for steering or jumping. If the horse is quite happy in a bit then leave her in it. Although i say i hate bitless bridles, i do compete a very headstrong IDxTB in a dr bristol bit, and a hackamore, and so i can use the bit for steering and the hackamore for brakes. As for the youngster, start them off in bits as you may find it hard to sell them if they are not used to bits. You could aways ride in a straight bar vulcanite or happy mouth snaffle.

Answer 2

Try a hackamore do it in a safe secure setting like a riding arena with someone with you just incase your horse has too much freedom.  a Hackamore is ALL BREAKS, if you dont know how to fit it please have someone that knows what their doing. I saw a horse get a broken nose due to ill use of a hackamore.. :(  if a hackamore works then try a bitless bridle (its actually a real hackamore)

Answer 3

if she works well for you in a bit keep with it, maybe like someone else said try riding with a halter and lead ropes.

as for the geldings maybe try a training bit, or flexi bit, pee-wee bit.

pee-wee bit: http://www.shop4bits.com/item--The-Pee-W...

flexi bits: http://www.horseland.com.au/EMail/Docume...

or maybe use a hackmore :

http://www.shop4bits.com/cat--Hackamores...

GOOD LUCK

Answer 4

Hackamores do not work! Use a bit! You have more control!

Answer 5

I find it easier to conrtol with a bit

But maybe with just your mare at the moment try ride her in a halter and attatch reins, and try her, in an arena

with the young geldings i would use the bit.

Answer 6

Hackamores (bitless bridles) can be far more severe than a snaffle bit in the wrong hands.  I am not suggesting that you have bad hands, I have not seen you riding!  Steering can also be a problem.

I would leave the gueldings in bits too, especially as they are so young.

Answer 7

I ride most(I have 28) of mine bitless. Not the Cook one. But a Vosal, they work off the chin bone. Not by squezzing the horses head or nose. Here is the one I use. Most of my horses love it!!!

& Arab Filly has NO IDEA what she is talking about!!!! Hackamores do work! Some work on some horses & some don't! Don't let someone tell you it's not going to work because it didn't work for their horse. All horses are different!

http://www.smithbrothers.com/vosal/p/X3-...

*****edit*****

These people you need more "control"...... Do NOT understand the concepts of training then! Because the bit is not to "control" you horse, it is for direction. I am not going to try to control my horses. I train mine so I don't have to, & I ask my horses unstead of "controling" it.

***shanking head****

Answer 8

The Dr. Cook's are pretty expensive, but I have heard good things about them.  If you think you might like to try something like that but at a lower price you might try looking at the Freedom Bridles by Moss Rock Endurance.  The prices are unbelievably affordable and can be customized for you. I have a gelding that has some issues with taking a bit (abuse) and I use a hackamore on him and it works great, but I believe it depends on the individual horse.  Here is a web address to look at the Moss Rock Endurance stuff.  Good luck with your horses.

www.mossrockendurance.com/view_categor...

Answer 9

I've used Cook's Bitless bridle on several horses -  12 or more, and I really like it.

It's not for every horse, but most horses love it and respond really well.  Especially good for horses whose mouths have been abused.  I've used it on horses who tend to buck, with no problem, to my surprise (I mean, I was able to keep their head up!).

If the french link is working well, there's no big rush to switch, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to try, if you're curious.  I use it on several horses just for fun sometimes, just for a change.  I usually ride each horse bareback with the Dr. Cook's once a week.  Only a handful have not gone well in the bitless: the heavy-on-the-forehand-type who want to carry their heads really low.

I think it's great to start horses without a bit, then move to a snaffle.  My advice is go ahead and try one, if you don't mind the expense.  You can get them used, sometimes Cook's website, or opt for the biothane one.  I have 2 leather headstalls and I use rubber grip reins.

Answer 10

try her in a halter and reins first see how shes goes but with your young geldings i would use a bit even if its mild, you could train them both ways, but you will need to mouth your geldings and get them used to bits cause if you ever sell them, the buyer might want to ride in a bit and if your horse isnt mouthed it can put the price down

Answer 11

If she is fine with a bit I'd stick with one- I've found they offer a lot more control. As for the young geldings, same thing- if they are alright with a bit then use one. Good luck!

Answer 12

I think that if you are able to control the horse without one then I would not use one either.  I found that the bit kept the ornery horses in check while riding.

Answer 13

I use the dr Cook and love it.  I still would use bits if I were keeping them fresh to show, only because shows require bits.  But the bitless bridle is wonderful and you can do anything with it that can be done in a bit...I say yes...unless your geldings will show...then they need bit training as well, so do a combination.

EDIT...for those who don't do their homework, the Dr. Cook is nothing like a hackamore, sidepull, halter, or other stuff you are comparing it to.  Read about it before you give dumb answers.

Also, we need to get the rules changed so showing bitless is accepted...what possible reason is there not to allow it?????

Answer 14

I like my Dr. Cooks.

the concept is that it puts pressure on the side of the face and then the poll. The second you let off the pressure the pressure on these areas are also released thus rewarding the horse for doing the right thing.

It's a great training tool if you just need to get out of the mouth and concentrate on other areas.

It's also great for those that a little head shy and need to work through it.

There was NEVER an issue of control.  If you can only control a horse with a bit then I guess we wouldn't have halters....right?  Everyone would be leading their horses around with a bridle on.

I don't use the Dr. Cooks daily but I do enjoy having it when I just want to do a light ride or some footwork training.

Wonderful for greenies!  

My Dr. Cooks cost $80 for the synthetic bridle and I attached my own reins.  Not sure what the cost is now but it can't be much more than that.

Answer 15

Is that the same as topless??  Just kidding.  I think that is totally up to you.  If your present bit is working then it is kind of like why fix what is not broke.

Answer 16

IF your horse is realy well trained and a good riding horse i would. Somtimes the only i use when i ride is a halter and lead and it works just fine

Answer 17

My friend LOVES her Dr Cook bridle and is trying to convert the world to them. I am sticking with my old fashion bits however. She has a mare that was started in a bit, she then changed to the bitless and I must say that mare is happier without a bit. She does endurance trail riding. They are expensive. If you can borrow one try it out before spending the money. Then if you like it get one.

Answer 18

you could try them in one, just to see if they are better with it or not.

Answer 19

If she is fine with her current bit, then I wouldn't bother changing it. A bitless bridle can put a lot of pressure onto the horses nose, which she might be more sensitive on then her mouth. For the geldings you could do either or eventually both, but we find it easier to just start with a mild snaffle bit.