Comment

Comment by Cathy McK on August 30, 2009 at 9:15am

Hi everyone, made the big leap from the over 40.... to the over 50 club(not that I just turned five - 0, but.
Haven't been around much since the good weather arrived. Work, work and play at the barn takes up my day.
Hey Eileen, been doing lots of trail riding this season???

Comment by Linda White on August 29, 2009 at 11:45am

Hee hee, Gail. Had to laugh at you emptying everything 4 times and it was there all the time. Story of my life. Rather than take it as proof that I'm disorganized or getting old, I have chosen to blame the manufacturers who make everything in dark colours. Now I own a bright red wallet, a bright red carrying case for my cell phone. If I could only buy a florescent crop, I'd probably be able to have only one instead of 6 because I'd be able to find it!

Comment by Gail Morse on August 29, 2009 at 10:55am

Coopersmom: I might suggest that you have the horse's teeth by an equine dentist if you have not already. That can be a real source of not liking a bit. How old is he? He could be shedding caps and getting new teeth in. I went through that when my horse was 2-3 and he went from ok with the bit to running backwards when I was trying to put it on. Turns out his new front teeth were coming and I was bumping them. Felt bad. Gail.

Comment by Gail Morse on August 29, 2009 at 10:52am

Again, so much feedback from starting topics that other people have already tried. Tomorrow I will be trying the Nutural one. The instructions look fairly clear on the packaging. I will keep in touch with you guys to let you know how it went and if it was difficult to adjust. I know the crown piece is more like a regular bridle . I have only used the rope hackamores so it should be interesting. Does anyone else have the problem that I have where you buy something and put it where you are sure you can find it. 7 large tubs of blankets later and emptying whole back of the van 4 times and there it was. I have issues about the rope hackamores ie are there any that have a leather breakaway anywhere. The ones I have used are all nylon incuding the reins and that worries me. Any ideas? Gail.

Comment by Coopersmom_1958 on August 28, 2009 at 10:25pm

Hi Gail and everyone!
I purchased a Nurtural bitless bridle last summer. I have only tried it on my boy a few times. I am still unsure on how to use it. I am not riding him yet, still doing groundwork. :)
I have had a bit in his mouth and never worked from it, but last weekend I lunged him from a bit. I could tell he didn't like it, his ears were back almost the whole session.
He is so comfortable and relaxed in the natural rope halter. I am thinking that I should just keep up with the natural training and teach with the rope halter then the rope hackamore after.
Then from there go into the Nurtural, I want to learn how to use this Nutural Bitless correctly.

Comment by Linda White on August 28, 2009 at 3:36pm

I've been longing to return to a bitless bridle - started my older mare that way, but stupidly switched to show. My only concern is that my mare's only vice (I swear) is her desire to lunch as we go along the trail. I can keep her from dipping her head down - hands anchored to the saddle cues her in quickly - but wouldn't she be more likely to munch on the bushes that line the trails if she was bitless??

Comment by Jackie Cochran on August 28, 2009 at 2:28pm

Hi Gail,
I've been using Nurtural bitless bridles for around 3 1/2 years, as well as other bitless bridles. I ride mostly in the ring (because of my MS), but I have ridden 6 or 7 horses in Nurturals, from a 13.2 British Riding Pony to a 18.2 half Dutch Draft. I think I have more control with the Nurtural (and the Dr. Cook bitless) than with the other bitless options, and I much prefer having a "discussion" with a horse using the Nurtural rather than a bit, especially with the 18.2 hander.
Do not take a death grip on the reins with any bitless, give and takes works a lot better.

Comment by Karen T on August 28, 2009 at 2:17pm

Hi Gail
I use a bitless bridle (side pull). I began to look into them after I created a situation for myself. My husband and I planned to meet a group of friends on a wilderness trail ride. We were running late, arrived at the trail head to find almost everyone tacked up and waiting. We hurried to get horses untrailered, saddled up, put boots and helmets on - went into the trailer to get the bridles and found that 'oops' left them hanging on the fence beside the where the trailer was parked at home...... :(. After a quick panic, dissapointment and comment to the ride organizer that I guess we wouldn't be joining them after all - I was asked if the horses neckreined and of course they did, he suggested that I use two leadshanks attached to the halter and come along.
My husband has only been riding a couple of years so I let him make the choice - do we try it or not. His comment was "do you think I can do it?" and my response was 'if any of the five horses we own would be okay, the two we had with us were the ones to be ok" so we decided to give it a try with the idea if he got stressed or unsure, we would turn back.
Needless to say, we had a wonderful successful 2 hour ride in the back country with his horse leading most of the way.
We had been talking about and looking into 'bitless bridles' prior to this ride and it convinced us that we should get serious about it. There are many options for various control levels. For his older mare we purchased the 'side-pull' that has very little nose pressure and looks like a halter with little pressure on her nose when you pull back. She works great on the trail with it - the only difficulty it presents is when an inexperienced rider in riding in the arena with her. She doesn't like to spend too much time going in circles so once she is bored she walks herself to the gate and doesn't want to continue. The young riders then get frustrated.

Comment by Gail Morse on August 28, 2009 at 1:59pm

Had some much fun and learned so much from the helmet topic I am going to start another one. Who has used a Nutural bitless bridle and how did it go? I just found mine this afternoon in the back of my car and thought I would try it on Sunday. Feedback? Gail.

Comment by Gail Morse on August 28, 2009 at 1:57pm

The regulation for the stables in Ontario is kids 18 and under have to wear them I believe. Whoever thinks that after 18 something will change needs a reality check. I board at a trail riding place for the summer. None of the guides wear them . They are over 18 but I think it sets a bad example for the adult trail riders who see the guides without. Most of the clients have never been on a horse before. The horses are good but let's face it, they are flight or prey animals.

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