[XxHunterJumperxX]

Okay, lets first adress the reason why I need a bitless bridle:

My horse has been gifted with a previous rider... with hard hands. So, when you wiggle your fingers to drop his head, he "roots" or pulls down against the bit, pulling me forward. We have tried up to a mild pelham, and down to a halter. Of course, I was dumb, and didn't try the halter first. Later to discover that he was an angel in the halter and lead... One problem... You can't show in c+b class Arabian shows... In a halter!!

So thus, the solution was a bitless bridle.

Now, with the information above, I was hoping I could get opinions. Not about how I need to stop Natural Horsemanship, but what I should use!!


Now, let's discuss why on earth I posted this!

I need to descide between:

English Hackamore:

http://www.horsetackinternational.com/images/212092-english-hackamore.jpg

Jumping Hackamore (yes, I will be doing schooling shows over fences):

http://images.auctionants.com/5-170460.jpg

Nurtural:

http://www.happyhorsebacksaddles.ca/slides//bitless_bridle_2.jpg

Bitless "bit":

http://enlightenedhorsemanship.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/liz-bitless-bridle.jpg

Now that I have finished... Please look through all of them, or tell me what you use.
When you post your opinion, please post reasoning, and make sense

Thank you times a trillion.
-XxhjxX

 

[Wallaby]

Have you considered an "Indian Hackamore"?

Indian Bosal Hackamore Colors FREE SHIPPING - eBay (item 220313502158 end time Feb-09-10 12:08:20 PST)

I have one on Lacey and she adores it. I can neck rein and direct rein in it with no issues. She actually goes out of her way to put her nose into it (which, in the year I rode her in a snaffle, I always had to stick my fingers in her mouth to get her open up for the bit). If you get a colorful one it might not be so english-y but if you got one that's solidly black or brown, it'll look totally fine.
There are also some SUPER cheap ones on ebay. I got mine for $15 with free shipping.

I've never used any of those other bridle dealios so I can't help you out very much.

 

[XxHunterJumperxX]

Thank you Wallaby, that helps a lot!

They do make them for English, but my shows guidelines wouldn't allow them.

They would need to be in leather for me to show with them.

 

[trIplEcrOwngIrl]

hmm, I the english hackamoore look good. Have you also considered Dr. Cooks Bittles Bridle? that also looks pretty good, but expensive. I am just posting from what I have read about the products so other people may have better answers.

 

[Beau Baby]

i actually own a nurtural. my horse responded very very well to it and was better with it then a bit. they come in leather and nylon and have cob, pony and horse sizes. you can also mix and match, horse sized face and pony nose. that sort of thing. i am very fond of them.

 

[Sghorselover]

My trainer uses a English hacamore (sp?) for one f te horses and it works quite well I dont know if i would use it for jumping though it does not look as good as the others you were looking at. i like the third one you posted the best

 

[horsea]

I LOVE Dr. Cooks Bitless Bridle! It is absolutely amazing! My horses go fine with bits but I tried a B.B. one and they did great with it! I jump, trail, and do low level dressage with it! My western horse even neck reins with it.

 

[horsea]

Actually, the natural bridle looks a lot like the Bitless Bridle. I think it might be the same kind

 

[SeWHC]

I've got a Nurtual... It's great. I bought the "havana" version of the synthetic... it looks just like leather though.

I'd be willing to sell it if you are interested!

 

[dressagexlee]

If he goes good in a halter, I'd go for the nurtural or jumping hackamore as the first thing to try.

To be quite honest, people often misunderstand that mechanical (english) hackamores (or the LG/Bitless "bit", for that matter. The "glorified", but less "harsh" version of an english hackamore) can be very "heavy" bits and put a lot of pressure on a horse's face. If he's sensitive to lots of face pressure, then it wouldn't be my first choice.
There's no reason why you shouldn't experiment with the bridles you have looked at (maybe ask a trainer or fellow rider if they have one of those bridles that you can borrow), because he may end up, say, hating the nurtural, go okay in the english hackamore, and go best in the bosal or any variation of this.