The Bitless Bridle!

I would never put a mechancial hackamore on my horse. Just imagine what that must feel like... :roll:

Think of it this way: Halters can break horses' noses, so it's feasable that a crossover bitless bridle can break a horse's jaw. I'm pretty sure my trainer wouldn't have lied about this. I'm just concerned that something could happen if your horse stepped on the reins. I wouldn't want to take that chance, personally.
If I were going bitless (I prefer getting a horse used to a bit, but I'm looking at starting my new training project in a bitless of some sort) I'd recommend a hackamore, bosal or side pull. They might be a little "more harsh" than a crossover bitless bridle, but I personally think they're safer, and more useful.

But what about the consequences if the horse stood on the reins wearing a hackamore? Would be pretty bad to, I would think?

Im not dissing them, because I use a english hackamore on one of my horses, but also use a crossover on my other one. Just intreaged about opinions on this.

One of the reasons I went crossover on my TB was because he felt way to sensitive in the hackamore, like he wanted to avoid it a bit. But once I put him in a bitless crossover he was great. I put the hackamore on my other boy and he went exellent it in, love using it on him.
Used to use a ropehalter which I attached reins to but found at the faster paces ( canter, gallop ) it started to ride up the face a bit.

I tried a side pull a couple times in the past on my teachers horse ( ages ago ) . I quite liked them, but as far as I know they arnt that good for a horse that are tricky on stoping, hence were a hackamore would work better.

Havent tried a bosal. Would bee keen to tho at some point.

Kitten_Val that sounds like it would have been neat to go to. I have only ever been to one horse expo and it was really small, not much there. But was still cool. Very much enjoyed the massage demo for horses.

I think the bridle we use really-really depends on horse. Then on rider hands. Some love bitless, some hate pressure on nose in all ways (like my paint).

I did use mechanical hackamores on other people horses, which were trained for it and the hackamore was given to me by the horse owner. Never had problems with it. However I'd never use one on my own horse. What really scares me when people (the beginners) buy those huge-shanked mechanical hackamores to ride their horses thinking they are doing a favor to the horse by removing the bit (and, c'mon, it's look cool for other beginners that horse has no bit!).

I have read through all these replys and found them interesting, but I am going to go back to Feathers and her horse. It seems this horse is strong headed. It is not really going to matter that much what you use for a bit if the work is done to teach this horse to respond to pressure, whether it be halter or bit. I would want this horse responding on the ground before ever riding it. I think what you said about more training is the first step. Safety first! Horses that respond to pressure are sure less apt to hurt them selves if say they step on a rein, because they will stop and not fight the pressure.

Yes, I do agree. I need to work with my mare more if I want her to 'really' improve. Yes, she is very head strong (physically and mentally). If she wants to go somewhere else, it is quite a battle getting her to do otherwise. I just thought that the bitless bridle would aid me without causing extra pain that a bit might give. I use a full cheek snaffle bit, I can't use a lot of other bits as she has a habit of letting the bit slide in and through her mouth (she has a big mouth). When I drive, I use a french link butterfly (always on it's easiest setting).

However, keep in mind that she is a turning 23 year old Clydesdale mare who's main focus has always been a driving horse in harness. Her riding training is so basic...I am lucky she is even broke to ride. Now, she is very gentle in nature and I would never expect her to rear or buck, or do something horribly ill under saddle. It is not in her nature...I do not believe she is very familiar with a lot of leg pressure, it does help me to turn her sometimes though... I, myself, am no expert rider or trainer. What I am trying to say is that she is not a typical riding horse...

She is so much different under harness...I can take her anywhere. Under saddle, wow, she turns into a sour head. It helps a lot when I ride with blinders.

I think regular riding and working her will help me with her. Although, I like to drive more than ride. However, I think I will still get the bitless bridle and see if it does help me... I will post my results with it. :)

A freind of mine uses the bitless bridal on her Mare who's a 20 yr old. Arabian Horse. She can really run if you let her. She seems to do well with it. I think it might also depend on how well your horse is trained, not sure though. I know this lady doesn't have alot of experience riding and it work for her. She had a choice to get the training bridal, which isn't real leather or the other she chose the training. I'm not sure if it's really called that but for lack of knowing what to call it that's what I picked.