[Kaylee05]

Hello everyone,
I do apologize I know a few topics relating to bitless bridles have been posted lately. However I am still debating about switching my horse to a bitless bridle (the sidepull option to be exact). I bought my horse about a year ago, he was ridden western in a hack and did very well in it. I however mostly do english ridding and he has shown lots of talent in jumping which is what I want to do with him. However he doesn't take very well to the bit, which is a snaffle. He fights the bit constantly and just seems generally uncomfortable in it. I thought maybe since he did well and was more relaxed in a hack he would do well in a bitless bridle. What are your thoughts? I also would be open to switching bits as well but to be honest I am a first time horse owner and I am a bit lost. Also my horse is an Arab and im worried about it fitting his face correctly! Thank you in advance for any advice!

 

[InexcessiveThings]

I think bitless can certainly be a great option for horses that are difficult to bit, but if you ever want to show you will likely need to find a bit that works for him because in most English disciplines bitless bridles and hackamores of all sorts are illegal. If you are just riding casually, I don't see why you couldn't transition him. Riding in a sidepull is rather like riding in a halter, actually. Many horses will transition easily to one but some also don't like that much pressure on their face. I don't see why you would have trouble with fitting a bitless bridle to him just because he's an arab. Whatever size English bridle he goes in will likely be correct in size for him in a bitless. Sizing and fitting are pretty straightforward for them, really.

If he's very resistant to the bit, that probably means he just doesn't like it and you are likely right that he is uncomfortable. It's quite possible what he's in just doesn't work for him but another type of bit could. What type of snaffle have you been riding him in? Have you tried any other bits at all with him?

 

[Allison Finch]

I have two student who ride bitless. One was a dressage student, but English dressage still doesn't recognize bitless. So, she has switched to western dressage. I now have three western dressage students, and we are having a blast. I really have much more fun with the western tests.

 

[horselovinguy]

Although not the norm...bitless can be done in English riding.
There are several styles of English hackamores already on the market I've seen used in show situations.
I have not seen a Dr. Cooks used or that style of bitless though.
They may indeed be used but I just have not seen it...

Here are a few from a site many have given positive reviews of the company...
www.horseloverz.com/english-horse-tack/english-bits/hackamore

Another site {better pictures} who offers what you want....
This is what I have seen more than anything else...
www.marystack.com/zilco-flower-hackamore/

I would strongly suggest if you are planning on showing you check the particular rules of your governing organization that you are permitted to ride bitless in shows and exactly which bitless combinations they allow.
There are very different rules for equitation, hunters and jumper classes and divisions.
To the discretion of the show committee & stewards how closely they are enforced too.
:runninghorse2:....
jmo....