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Milotkha
Gold Member
535 Posts |
 Posted - 10 Jun 2011 : 8:36:48 PM
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Hello..
I am considering trying a bitless bridle, so I have a few questions. If you could help that would be great and would like opinions please.
1) Do they hurt a Horses nose over time? has anyone ever had experience of a horse becoming sensitive in that area due to it being ridden in a bit less?
2) Can they be used in all disciplines?
I want to give it a go but I dont want to use one if, over time, my horse will become 'nose shy'.... if you know what I mean.
Thanks
Kim
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taranstorm
Gold Member
Wales
952 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2011 : 9:10:03 PM
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yes can be used in any disciplines! as i ride my mare in bitless for endurance,slow and fast work! would never ever go back to metal bits! bitless so so much kinder and all mine are lot happier in it!  |
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Fee
Platinum Member
2601 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2011 : 9:51:20 PM
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I suspect you are considering a traditional bridle type of bitless bridle? I don't use and never have used them but I do use a rope halter, and bosal, however, I won't bore you with the info unless you want it as they are both very different from the traditional bridle with having a knot under the chin with both reins coming from this. The rope halter is probably the 'lightest' bridle you can use. So much so if your horse isn't uber light and responsive they can run through it. Oops I said no info unless you were considering this type of bridle! Slap wrist! 
Fee
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sab2
Platinum Member
8467 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2011 : 9:53:34 PM
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| Good luck with the bitless, you cannot go bitless in Dressage . |
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Pasch
Platinum Member
2277 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2011 : 10:09:38 PM
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| As sab2 said,you cannot use them in dressage,as for your fear of making your horse nose-shy,that could be more of a risk with a hackamore,(still depends on your hand though!)than with bitless bridles which usually act more on pressure points and poll,like rope halters,or all around the head like the Cook. |
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2011 : 10:13:15 PM
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Like fee I use a rope halter. They don't get sore because you don't need to put pressure on. Some of the bitless use a curb, some horses object to this. I realise it is more difficult when you need to comply with competition regulation, but if you start in a halter you can use any type of bitless as it is all in the training. Echoing fee, sorry if this is not helpful.
Once they are light in a halter, they should be very light in a bit because you don'thave to pull. |
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Milotkha
Gold Member
535 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2011 : 10:18:00 PM
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Thanks All.
Easy-Trek have treeless saddles and bitless bridles that I am considering.
Will give it a whirl - the bridles are only £30 so it wont break the bank.
Thanks
xx
Edited to say.... just been on you tube looking at people riding in bitless bridles and there is a dressage video on there, they must have changed the rules. |
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Edited by - Milotkha on 10 Jun 2011 10:28:23 PM |
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sab2
Platinum Member
8467 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2011 : 08:46:07 AM
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| No rule change i am afraid, maybe they were doing a demo, anything run under BD rules or according to has to wear a bit, only certain bits are dressage legal, i was talking to my trainer last week about this and she is a BD judge, so you would think she would know, i think the same applies to British Eventing, i know it did when i was running my horse.What kinds are you looking at i tried one once it was nylon i think and crossed behind the jaw, horse hated it but that was about 10yrs ago and there are some better ones out there, i have often fancied starting the babies off in them. |
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littlearabians
Gold Member
1323 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2011 : 11:05:54 AM
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I dont know the rules over here, But in Denmark you are not allowed to compeate in anything but endurance with those bitles bridles... any way we talked about most of the things yesterday on the phone, as you know Im old school and prefer hackamore or ropehalter for a happy hack, never owened a bitless and never will xxx
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www.littlearabians.com
Classic Polish Arabians
Worcester based
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Milotkha
Gold Member
535 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jun 2011 : 08:34:28 AM
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Ah ok, thanks Sab2 - must have been a demo then. I am thinking of a DR Cooks? I am going to give it a whirl and see how we get on - then if we dont like it we wont continue with it. I will try anything once..!!
Hehe Jane you do make me laugh see you in a few weeks xxxx |
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Etoile
Silver Member
275 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jun 2011 : 3:06:55 PM
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Good luck with the Dr Cooks. Never given either of my boys nose problems and Senj has had one for over three years. Do have to be very gentle with it as it has an awful lot of stopping power.
Senj "got it" immediately and loved it from day one. Can only use hacking or endurance much to Senj's relief. Very irritating as he goes really well in it with my instructor, who thinks it is just like a snaffle to school in, but not dressage legal. Also, use it on Ziad who took a lot longer to adjust to it - he was older and more set in his ways - spent ages going up and down the paces and doing semi circles down bridleways to "explain" it to him but now he's got it he in his quiet way seems very happy with it. But not for all as my third, Salad, didn't like it. |
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Kelly
Platinum Member
England
1571 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2011 : 1:18:38 PM
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Hello
Where in the country are you? Someone might have a Dr Cooks you can borrow before buying - if you're within driving distance of West Yorkshire you're welcome to try mine. I'd have to clean it first though........ |
Kelly
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Milotkha
Gold Member
535 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2011 : 1:54:30 PM
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Thanks Both.
I am in Leicester Kelly so a little bit of a drive - but thanks anyway.
I have seen one for £30 so I will get one and if its not for us, I will pop it on ebay.
I am excited to try it out. Mila is backed and I have ridden her about 10 times I would say, so I guess she will adjust ok to the new bridle as she hasnt had a lot of riding in a bit.
Kim |
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MinHe
Platinum Member
England
2927 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2011 : 4:06:40 PM
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Rode my old mare in an English hackamore for many years with no problems - she was quite happy in it.
Keren |
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Patriot
Bronze Member
USA
77 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2011 : 4:39:12 PM
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I switched my 19 yr old gelding from a snaffle to a Dr Cooks, and after a couple of rides(and him trying to take the mickey and go where he liked ) he was fine and we've used it ever since. Hes definately happier. Good luck with the Dr Cooks, i hope it works out for you  |
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Topic |
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Bitless Bridles
