The more I read about bitless riding the more I like it and believe my horse would like it ,too. I have a biothane bridle I'd like to keep using without the bit. I heard about a seller on ebay called thehandmadehomestead who sells what he is calling the Indian Rope Bosal Bitless Riding Sidepull. Has anyone bought this and been happy with it? Does it release well? Do you think it will hold up? It looks sharp and the price is good, if its a good product.
I didn't buy one from that particular user but I did buy one off of ebay sometime last year and I love it! I bought mine from this guy: Bitless Bridle Indian Hackamore Bosal TEAL BLUE - eBay (item 260701853913 end time Dec-31-10 22:16:05 PST)
He'll do custom colors and designs, it's great. Mine is glow-in-the-dark. His are cheaper too.
My horse is so much more responsive to it (she has some health issues that make it so she can't feel the bit) and I've never felt like I didn't have control. I have ridden other horses in it and I didn't like a few of them responded, but not every horse likes going bitless. Also, I think that, at least the kind I bought, the nose kind of conforms to the horse's nose (it's kind of a stiffer thin plastic-y sort of rope) so it might not be the right shape for another horse.
I'm really happy with the one I have. I've even put it through the washing machine and it came out fine. I use it on an almost daily basis and I'm more satisfied with it than any bit I've ridden in (at least for my mare). I fully plan to buy another one in a year or so.
I too purchased one from that seller but I had them make it with a thinner rope and was MUCH happier with it than the first one that I received! Mine was just like this but in blue and black. It was used on trails and everything. I very highly recommend that seller!
I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience with this product. Was it the same seller?
Amarea, do you think this style is better than the similar style by a different seller that has metal rings. I thought the rings made it lay a little better, but maybe they'd rust. Thanx for the heads up about having it made out of thinner rope. Arie has a small Arab-like head and anything too bulky looks overpowering on him.
I've purchased other things from that ebay seller with no problems. You might consider trying just a rope halter and rope reins. It would give you some idea how your horse and yourself will react to less insistent ways. It would save money if you already have the halter.
The seller I listed will also make it with metal rings. Just let them know before you buy what it is that you want. Include links to the pics. The one I posted above it what I had gotten for Stiffler who is my old QH who has a babydoll head that is very Arabish. Personally I just love how easy the seller is to work with.
I did NOT like the thick one. It would not release at all! The thin one I bought did not have the metal rings and I didn't have a lot of issue with it releasing but it still would have released better with the rings I think.
The seller I listed will also make it with metal rings. Just let them know before you buy what it is that you want. Include links to the pics. The one I posted above it what I had gotten for Stiffler who is my old QH who has a babydoll head that is very Arabish. Personally I just love how easy the seller is to work with.
I did NOT like the thick one. It would not release at all! The thin one I bought did not have the metal rings and I didn't have a lot of issue with it releasing but it still would have released better with the rings I think.
this is the problem I had....it just made my arab throw her head up and reversed some training so I guess thats why im so against them now..lol. I have not tried any with metal rings so that may help. Good luck though on whatever you choose!
Once I sent it back and had her remake it with the thin rope, it was just fine. But that super thick rope is just terrible! Plus, with the way these are made, the thick rope causes the noseband to twist. It was only after asking for a refund that I discovered she will make the thinner ones if you want.
The one I got has thicker rope, but I think that works for Lacey since she doesn't want or like a huge release. It releases just enough to not just crank on her nose, but it's definitely "tight." I've never had a problem with it being overly tight though. It's usually about as tight as a bit would be, ie continual "it's there" pressure but no "what is she trying to tell me" pressure all the time. Also, I ride Lacey with basically no contact at all in it, if I want to ride with contact I use a halter, so that may have something to do with our differing results.
I'd think that the metal rings would help it release more, my one concern is that if it releases a lot, could it start sliding around on his face? Maybe not, but I thought I'd mention that.
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