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bitless bridles
I would like to start using a bitless bridle on my horse, for no other reason than I dont like putting a lump of metal in his mouth. I was very interested in the Dr Cooke bridle - until I saw the William Micklem multi bridle - does anyone have any comparisons for me please?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Barbara F. on
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Hi Janet and welcome! Did you know that William Micklem is right here on site? You can ask him any questions you like and I'm sure he'll be happy to help you - he's really nice! :)
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Permalink Reply by Janet Kane on
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Thanks for tip - I am a new member and still not sure how to contact anyone!
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Lol, no problem! Just click on the Members tab at the top of the page and type in William Micklem. :)
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Permalink Reply by Jackie Cochran on
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Hi Janet,
I have been using bitless bridles off and on since I got my English Jumping Cavesson bridle over 35 years ago. I have also used--Nurtural cross-under, Dr. Cook cross-under, Light Rider bitless, LG bridle (briefly), and the Micklem multibridle. I ride hunt seat with both contact and loose reins as needed.
NOTHING bitless can replace the subtle conversation a rider and horse can have through the bit and reins.
The one with the best contact is my old Jumping Cavesson bridle, however an excited strong horse can easily "go through" this bridle, necessitating strong arms for control. On the other hand I can get finger-tip control with an unexcited horse. If a horse is resistant to turning you need some strong arm muscles.
The next best contact is from the Light Rider Bitless Bridle, which is a modified Scawbrig. I use their Stock horse model. The horses mostly seem to like it and I can keep decent contact with it for a while, then the horse appreciates some loose rein riding. Some difficulties in keeping the chin strap centered. Since I have MS I have not had to control an excited and strong going horse in one, but I suspect that I would have a chance of controlling such a horse if I didn't just pull on the reins and never let up. I can also get the finger-tip control on an unexcited horse with this bridle. This is the bridle in my little picture.
The Nurtural bitless bridle, a modified cross-under, works very well for me. I actually went ahead and got every size they make (except mini), as I am reasonable confident that in an emergency, or if I were on an excited horse I would have a chance of getting the horse's attention. I have controlled a very resistant 18.2 hand half draft horse in this bridle. If I was going to ride a strange horse bitless this is the one I would pick. Again I have not tried this one out at speed, but using give and take rein actions I am sure that the horse would listen. Do not hang on to your reins all the time. This bridle takes VERY light contact. The main reason I tried this bridle out is that it looked like the most fool-proof of the cross-unders, and I am pleased with it. Great finger-tip control.
Dr. Cook's Bitless Bridle is quite good for riders with good hands. This isn't quite as fool-proof as the Nurtural, and I have to use even lighter contact that with the Nurtural. Properly fitted, and with the hair on the jaw trimmed, with a good rider, this is a wonderful bridle. Decent finger-tip control.
I think that the main difference between Dr. Cook's and the Nurtural, is that Dr. Cook was designing his bridle for use by more advanced riders, while the Nurtural was developed to be used more by beginners.
I haven't used the LG bridle much. As far as I can tell it was not developed to be used with constant contact. I think the reason I had difficulties is that I ride other people's horses and I can't afford to get all the horses' teeth done. I am sure that it is a very interesting and effective bitless alternative for horses up on their dental work.
The LG bridle was developed by a rider of Baroque dressage.
I love riding in the Micklem Multi bridle WITH A BIT, especially using the bit clips. The horses seem to like it, I feel a lot more secure, that if I lose it with my hands my horse's mouth is somewhat protected from the bit. The only reason I am keeping my regular bridles is that I like to play at riding with a double bridle occasionally. I have gotten the most wonderful contact with a bit using the Micklem Multibridle than I ever had before in my 38 years of riding.
However, using the bitless options with the multi-bridle, I had trouble with the bridle shifting on the head. I am sure that if I did not have MS that I would not have this problem. Specifically, if there is resistance to ONE rein, or if I have to reapply the rein frequently, the bridle tends to slip.
Right now I am using the Light Rider the most.
I hope this helps.
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Permalink Reply by Gail Morse on
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Very good information in that last post Jackie! I bought the Nutural one a few months back and have not tried it as yet. Gail Morse.
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Gail--I have had absolutely no problems in switching a horse to the Nurtural bridle. Of course do the first ride in an arena or a small field that the horse knows. You may want to lunge your horse first if he is extra frisky or the wind is blowing. After you put it on show the horse how it is used--right rein turns right, left rein turns left, walk your horse and stop him with both reins (with immediate release). Praise each correct response, then get up & ride. I usually do this when I'm walking from the barn to the ring.
I think that it is just as important not to continually hang on the reins with any bitless bridle as it is with a bitted bridle.
I feel just as safe in the ring with a Nurtural bridle as I do with a bitted bridle. If anything I feel safer on the trail (one time on a very spirited and sensitive Arab) with the Nurtural as I do with the bit since IF I have to jerk the reins (gently) to get the horse's attention it doesn't get the negative reaction that I would get if I had to jerk with a bit.
Hope this helps. Enjoy your ride in your Nurtural!!!
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Permalink Reply by Mary Ginn on
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Can you expound on your statement about the LG bridle? Why would dental work come into play? I saw one of these at a ride last weekend, and it looks like it would meet my needs much better than my Dr. Cook's. I ride with heavy loose reins (most of the time), which doesn't release much of the pressure on the Dr. Cook's. Also, do you know where one can purchase the LG? My google search isn't coming up with anything.
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The LG bridle should be excellent with the loose reins, and you should get the release from pressure immediately when you relax the reins.
The reason I thought of dental was because part of the spoked wheel goes over the lower molars on a short headed horse, like the Arab I tried it on. Since I like to ride on full contact and the mare I ride did not want full contact with the LG I stopped using it for a while. Absolutely no reason why it would not work on another horse. If I rode mostly on loose reins I would probably have liked it more!
Try this site for buying a LG bridle. http://horseandman.com/order-your-lg-bridle-here/
I know I have read that several people and their horses like the LG bridle more than any other system.
The leather straps on mine are WONDERFUL leather, some of the best I've ever run into.
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Thanks for the link, Jackie. A little pricey, but something to keep in mind. I don't suppose you'd want to see yours?! :-)
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Sorry, I guess I'm saving mine for when my hands are so bad that I cannot keep steady contact with ANYTHING. And, I never know, since all I'm riding is other people's horses I might run into a horse that works well in it. I even got the shanks that you can attach to the "magic wheel" for when I'm weaker.
From what you are saying I think that the release of the LG bridle is what you are looking for.
The main complaint I've heard about the system is that you have to loosen the chin strap so the horse can graze, and then retighten it before riding again.
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I rode Mia today in my Dr. Cook's bitless bridle. I had used it once before, when she was in her winter coat, and had decided that it irritated her too much then. Now Mia is in her wonderful Arab summer coat, with no long hairs on her lower jaw. She went beautifully this time, showing very little irritation. She did not want to keep contact long, but she was very responsive to every hand aid.
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