Bitless bridle??

Anyone ever used a bitless bridle like this one, and what did you think of it? As effective as a bit, or not?

The Bitless Bridle by Dr. Robert Cook, FRCVS, Ph.D.

One of the horses at my barn uses that; they are GREAT. I always recommend them to people if they are searching for a good bitless. It works really well.

Really?? I'm seriously considering it...Sandie HATES the bit, chomps on it a LOT all throughout the ride and sometimes she's so obsessed with it that it's hard to get her to pay attention to what I'm asking...which then leads her to start spooking at really stupid things (that aren't even there most of the time lol).

I know most people would say that she just needs more time and she'll get used to it, and she probably will...but I would LOVE something that she would accept more readily right now, as long as it still works as well as the bit.

Does your friend in the barn say anything about bitless vs. bit when the horse is acting up? Is it harder to get control of the horse with a bitless? Do you use one yourself??

It's the only thing I use on my older gelding, and I use it also on my older mare at times.

My gelding used to have some dental issues, so that might be where it started with him not liking the bit.

I finally found a someone that could help his teeth, but, have just continued on with the Dr Cook. There is no need to go back to the bit with him as far as I'm concerned.

When he "acts" up, it's no harder to get him back than with the bit.

Sandie's been getting kind of "spooky" lately, not very relaxed in the ring anymore...and she just constantly chomps on her bit all the time. I'm afraid to ride her half the time because she spooked and threw me a couple weeks ago, and she bolts now...this website said it can stop them from being so spooky/bolting, that those are things sometimes caused by the bit.

Have either of you found any of that to be true? I'm just concerned, I don't want to buy a bitless if it's not going to give me any control and she's going to run off with me! Lol

Double post

Hi Hoofprints in the Sand,

I replied to your question on the other thread, but just wanted to let you know that I actually feel safer with the Bitless Bridle than with a bit. With a bit, if the horse spooks and you pull on their mouth, their just going to get more scared because of the pain. Then, they just bolt and run through it.

I feel like I have more control with the Bitless, because it doesn't cause pain (making the horse more scared), but yet the horse can't get away from the pressure. Therefore, allowing me to stop the horse, turn, etc. whatever I need to do at the time.

You should really give the Bitless Bridle a try. Hey... if it doesn't work, just send it back!
You can buy it and try it for 30 days, and if you're not satisfied, you can send it back for a full refund.

I think both you and Sandie will be very happy with the Bridle.

I'll end this post with a quote from Joe Camp (creator of the Benji movies) “Forget the no-more-metal rhetoric, forget the pain, forget the cruelty – all of which are true – the darned thing just works better than a bit!”

Thanks royalhorse!! I wasn't aware there was a 30-day trial??! That's awesome! I think I may give it a try (and is the 30-day trial through your website too? I might as well buy from you if I'm going to, since you gave me the idea really!)

Also -- I know the reins are sold separately...do you have to buy the reins for the system to work, or would they work with the plain old English reins I am using right now with my regular bridle?

Yes, we offer the 30-day trial too. You can use any type of reins on the Bitless bridle.

Thanks, we would really appreciate your business!

I have used that one and a Nurtural No-Bit bridle. I really enjoy them! No, you don't have as much control as a bit IMO, but most horses still respond well. There's usually not much learning curve if your horse gives to pressure on the halter.

I will recommend that you use your own reins if you go with a Biothane or Nylon bridle. The synthetic reins are just funky and the biothane a "slippery" IME. I just use my own English reins (flat with hand-stops) or cotton braided reins.

I use mine for trail riding, hacking, and when friends ride my mare. She has a nice soft mouth and is very responsive. With the BB, I don't have to worry about noisy hands or accidental yanks on the reins.