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Bit-less bridle

4K views 20 replies 8 participants last post by  pkelchner 
#1 ·
Does anybody know where I can purchase a bit-less bridle with reins that is cheap? I have been looking and the ones I found cost almost $100! I need it for a thoroughbred.
Thanks,
Pattie
 
#2 ·
$100 is actually a quite reasonable price for a well made bitless bridle. You have to understand that unlike a headstall, which comes seperate from a bit- bitless bridles must come with a control mechanism as well as the headstall- or it would simply be a halter.

What is the specific purpose of needing a bitless for your thoroughbred? I might be able to find you a discout, but you need to know your problem, what you want 'fixed' and what type of bitless you need for this reason. Bitless bridles can be just as dangerous if not more dangerous than bitted bridles, and I always advise in getting a trainer to teach you to control the horse with a bitless before you put it on your horse.
 
#5 · (Edited)
If you aren't looking for something show quality, there are lots of things out there. However, if you want something leather and fancy looking, it'll be $100+.

I won't state my opinions about bitless in depth, but just know that it's VERY hard to get or keep a horse light in a bitless bridle. I've ridden bitless with my mare for the last 4 years and I've just recently been forced to find a bit that she likes to be ridden in. She had started running through the bitless thing on a regular basis because she had discovered she could. There was nothing I could have done differently, she just figured it out and once that happens, you can't go back.
To my mind, bitless is not the most gentle since you have to be so much more "hands-y" with the horse to get a message across. I think a bit is much gentler when the horse is correctly trained to accept one, the rider has gentle hands, and the bit is chosen for it's clarity of signal.

Anyway, here are some options for you:

This is the kind that my mare learned to run right through. It's very gentle but since it does tighten around the nose when pressure is applied, it's a little harsher than just a sidepull of some sort.

BITLESS BRIDLE Indian Hackamore Bosal Black w TURQUOISE Nose Band | eBay

Same thing with a little more "bite"

Rope Bitless Bridle Hackamore-Indian Bosal/Side Pull | eBay

I currently have this one (in the first style) for when I want to ride bitless or when I'm giving lessons. My mare respects it better because of the knots and it doesn't have the tightening action of the first 2 options.

Side Pull Rope Hackamore Bitless Bridle Attachment | eBay

There are a lot more options than just those but those are the ones I've tried and liked. They all need you to have a bridle, reins, and for the last one a curb chain, but buying all that will probably only run about $60-70 if you buy everything brand new.

People are probably going to suggest a hackamore (a bitless attachment that relies on leverage, all my links say hackamore in the name but they aren't true hackamores since there is no leverage involved) eventually but I'd strongly advise against one. You can do SO much damage with a hackamore, completely unintentionally, and that scares me.
 
#7 ·
Wallaby,
You say your mare "ran through" a bit-less halter? What do you mean by that anyway?
I'm not going to be showing her or anything, I am just using it for riding purposes only for me. I have tried using a rope halter and lead rope but she doesn't respond to it very very well. I don't want to use a bit at all if I don't have to but will start off using a rubber one till I get her to use the bit-less one. A friend of mine is letting me use his rubber bit till I train her to use the other.
Thanks for the links as well.
Pattie
 
#9 ·
'Running through' is a common term for a horse learning to ignore your aids and doing whatever they feel like doing. It can be quite dangerous if said horse learns to take advantage of you like this, and a bit is often one of the only options.
 
#12 ·
Bitless Bridle

I own 2 Dr Cook's bitless bridles, but found they were just too much pressure. The straps under the chin wouldn't release and if horses learn from the release of pressure not the pressure itself this was a troublesome problem. The vice grip from the poll to the chin was also a terrible issue as my horse would toss her head trying to get release. I prefer the All-In-One Bitless Bridle now which only has the slightest pressure and instant release when my horse gives to that pressure. I also can warm up my horse, snap on the reins and go instead of changing out the halter to a bridle. You get more information and make purchases at www.MissyWryn.com website.
 
#14 ·
I prefer the All-In-One Bitless Bridle now which only has the slightest pressure and instant release when my horse gives to that pressure. I also can warm up my horse, snap on the reins and go instead of changing out the halter to a bridle. You get more information and make purchases at www.MissyWryn.com website.
That is literally just a rope halter with a browband snapped on (unnecessarily, I might add, as it serve no function). Way overpriced for what it is. A $5 rope halter from TSC will do the exact same thing....
 
#20 ·
#21 ·
Thank you to all who have given me ideas for a bit-less bridle. I have been looking at them and I just afford some of the prices that they have at this time. I will still have to use a rope halter until I can afford one and who knows how long that will be.
I am still looking for work but have found nothing. :(
 
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