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Horse Behavior and Training

To Bit or not to Bit?

By:

Nadine

Date:

2012-Aug-31 at 02:13AM

I can't decide if I want to continue riding bitless in the Dually or if I want to purchase a MR bit, and start asking her for a more refined performance. I wouldn't ride with the bit everyday, just days we have a long time together and I'm going to train. But she has always hated the bit, and she seems to be doing fine bitless, but her performance is...lackluster. I'm not planning on showing, so there is no point to get her ultra responsive...but...I don't know. I'd really like to keep her bitless, but I'd also like a better response from rein cues (sometimes she just ignores me!)
What do you guys think?

emlaw 2012-Aug-31 at 03:32AM

You could try a Dr Cook style bitless bridle - these work on a different principle to the sidepull, and are known as crossunder or crossover bridles. I personally believe that the cues that need to be given are much subtler that with a sidepull. There are actually several really good videos on YouTube of people doing dressage with bitless bridles, so it is possible to get a good performance out of the horse - and particularly as you say she is not keen on bits anyway. If you have time, I would spend a bit of time checking out those videos and also the Dr Cook website, which has a lot of explanation about the principles of the bitless bridle.
www.bitlessbridle.com
There are also other similar bridles such as the Nurtural which work on the same principal but with a slightly modified design.
I rode both my geldings in crossunder bridles and I love them - both boys seemed very happy and relaxed and they didn't take long to get used to it either.

Nadine 2012-Aug-31 at 01:58PM

I've looked at them, and they seems to expensive for me to afford.

nelliebell 2012-Sep-02 at 02:28AM

Hi Nadine, Just an idea if you are interested in bitless bridles....have you looked at Light Rider Bitless bridles?? They are extremely kind and you can buy a noseband which converts your normal bridle into a bitless. They are based in australia but ship worldwide.

http://www.naturalhorseworld.com/ Here is the link to where you can find out all about them :-)

Janelle

naomisharples 2012-Sep-02 at 01:16PM

Hello Nadine, I ride in an Orbitless and find Archie more responsive than in a bit because he seems to be happier. You can check them out online.
Naomi :)