Does anyone here use a bitless bridle? Do you like it? I'm thinking of ordering Dr. cooks but not sure.

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I don't have a Dr. Cooks, but belong to a training group that has had more discussions about it than you can shake a stick at over the last couple of years. Some people swear by it and others think it is actually harsher than a snaffle bit, because it tightens when you apply pressure on the reins and doesn't release as immediately when you let go. That being said, if you are a person who rides with a contact that is stronger than an ounce or two, you should be aware that people have been doing autopsies and finding "changes" in horses' jaws from the bit. I think that's a euphism for compresion fractures.

I do ride with a few bitless alternatives, one is a rope halter with reins and then I have one each English and western halter on which I have just shortened the cheek pieces and attached a noseband with rings to attach the reins to, where the bit is supposed to attach. Maybe my horse is weird, but I find she actually seems happier and more confident in the snaffle ( I am very steady and gentle with the reins.) I use the alternatives when I am hacking out somewhere and want her to be able to eat a lot of grass (a little is okay with the bit) and when I go team penning because I'm afraid that in my excitement at cows changing direction I might inadvertantly be too rough with the reins.
I have seen a lot of people useing the bitless bridles and they seem happy with them. I have used them when riding someone elses horse and they were fine. I say it is a personal preference between the horse and rider. What ever works.
Personally, I want to have that "just in case" mechanism when out on the trail. A freind of mine did complain about the reins not releasing right away. I ride all over, mountains, pastures with cattle, water crossings, climbs, road sides, deer and moose areas, etc etc. I have met up with gators, bears, moose mountain sheep, and the most dreaded, cars, atvs and bicycles, you name it, I can see if you are in the back 50 or in the arena and in a save sure surrounding (is there any such thing with a horse) but like I said, I have lived and survived some scarey moments that I am sure was partly because I had quick and complete control of a frightend, excited bolting horse. To each their own I say.
My coach has a bitless bridle that she uses for hacking and she swears by it. I went to a mini session on using the parelli rope halter, and her bridle is like taht - only with reins. I will try one in the future 9 not quite ready to go there yet).
I may be wrong, but I think William Micklem's bridle the "Micklem Bridle" can be used bitless or with a bit, and he's just written three blogs here on how it works, so if you want, you can leave him a message and I'm sure he'll be able to at least answer a bunch of your questions. I know his focus is on changing the way we use nose bands and relief of pressure on the poll. The blogs are all in the blog dropdown tab at the top of the page.
Thanks Barbara :-)
O.k...so I have been comparing micklem's vs.cooks & then I found the nurtural bridle! Whew! Anyway, I don't think that the micklem comes in draft sizes & I like the way the nurtural sits higher on the nose, (than cooks) is canadian & seems easy to find( either online or lots of tack shops).Do you know of anyone currently using this one?

thanks gang.
Hi, I'm new in here. I use the Nurtural bitless on my horse. Zoe, the lady who developed the bridle, is a wonderful person, and very helpful.

When the breeder was saddle training my horse two years ago, she started with a bit. I had planned to go bitless, so I asked her if she knew anything about the Nurtural. She didn't, so she checked out the website, and ended up ordering one! She said that my mare LOVED it, and she was really pleased with it. My mare has been bitless ever since. She responds very well to it, with the slightest cues.

One thing I am always hearing is that whether you use a bit or choose to go bitless, it's not about "control", but it's how well your horse is trained on the ground. What you put on their head shouldn't make a difference. There are a lot of areas that I still have to work on with my horse, but I'm taking my time and making it fun for both of us :o)
I have used both over the years .

I was wondering if someone was going to bring up the fact that it isn't about the bit but about what you do with it. I have seen people do damage with both a bit and bitless so in the wrong hands they both can be wrong and bad for your horse.

I myself am a work in progress. LOL

I have trained dogs for years. Some feel that a pinch collar is harsh . I try to explain that it isn't the tool but how it is used. I myself have never had to use one but I do see the purpose in some to need it. A example is I have a friend that has Sheppard's, she doesn't have any strength left in her left arm she used a pinch collar to make up for that weakness. there was a need for it in her case. Right tool for the job as you would say.
This is the same thing here. Use the tool that will give you the control you need with the minimal amount of contact.
I totally agree with you Stephanie!!! It's definitely not about the tools we use but the hands that use the tools. We must train our hands to be barely there so to speak and use the rest of our body to communicate to the horse, for example body weight for stopping and backing up, leg aids and neck rein for turning with barely a touch on the bit. All this takes training of the horse, hands and body. We don't need to yank or slam, we need to whisper right from the beginning stages so it is Important to make sure our trainers understand what we want done with our horses and how we want them trained. When I was showing at reining I would use one spur instead of two (more about spurs later) because my left hip was so weak I couldn't mount form the ground (still can't) or give a clear leg aid the way the horse understood (heavy) to do the maneuver. About spurs and whips, they are tools too in the right hands or feet and are weapons in the wrong hands or feet. Right on for mentioning this it is so important! I also use bosals from time to time, the ultimate bitless bridle.
I have a Nurtural Bitless Bridle also. My Standardbred Gelding who race for 9 of his 11 years when I got him, had a habit of lip twisting and being very busy with a bit in his mouth. It was suggested to use a hackamore or Side Pull (Lindel Bridle) on him to relieve this 'stress' or 'habit' that he seemed to have with a bit in his mouth. He love the bitless bridle! I think he thought 'what is she doing, I don't have all my tack on, where is that metal thing in my mouth that I can play with!' I love now that he is so much more comfortable and he can relax his mouth and it seems a little more focused on me and not the bit! We are also a work in progress!
Oops looks like I already replied to this thread! Oh Well, just a friendly reminder to those that haven't heard of this bitless bridle before!

Happy Trails Everyone!
Thanks for all of your advice everyone! I've gotta log off now & go play! Maybe I'll take some more horrible pictures ;)

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