Bitless Bridles

[JJsmum]

I'd love to have a go riding JJ in a bitless bridle. He responds well when I ride him in a headcollar - but I've never hacked him out like this, only in the arena.

Can anyone recommend a bitless bridle, e.g. the Micklem? Bearing in mind he is "extra full" in a bitted bridle.

[Welsh Girl]

The only bitless bridle I'm aiming for is a Bosal. From what I've seen most act on the sensitive bit of the nose with a knutcracker action. The Bosal just acts as a contact point.

[intouch]

Libby's do a bitless Scawbrig which can have the tightening action stopped by attaching the reins to the side rings. Like a bit - they're only as severe as the rider's hands. Even a Bosal can cause damage to the nasal bone if it is handled roughly. But if JJ goes well in his headcollar, you're more than halfway there.

[Welsh Girl]

Libby's do a bitless Scawbrig which can have the tightening action stopped by attaching the reins to the side rings. Like a bit - they're only as severe as the rider's hands. Even a Bosal can cause damage to the nasal bone if it is handled roughly. But if JJ goes well in his headcollar, you're more than halfway there.

I like Libbys stuff, but should it be fitted that low?

Agree though anything in the wrong hands can be harmfull.

[Chindato]

have you considered a side-pull?

[Tharg]

Be careful going on the public highway in a bitless bridle as you may invalidate your insurance if anything was to happen.

[High_Stepper]

I think Kat1979 used to ride xc in a Dr Cook?

[Kat1979]

I think Kat1979 used to ride xc in a Dr Cook?

Yep, I used the Dr Cook for SJ and XC for a while on a horse with a sensitive mouth - it worked well at first, but after a while I found it hard to get the horse connected and changed to a hackamore. It was great for SJ, but wouldn't recommend for XC - we had a few hairy moment!!! :D Also not really suitable for dressage (and not allowed anyway) as you don't really have the same feel you get with a bit.

[intouch]

I'm trying to source a Light Rider Performance bridle in UK - it has good reviews but comes from Tasmania and I cant find any UK suppliers. Anyone?

[JJsmum]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, and advice re insurance. I'd be using the bridle for hacking off road and definately not for x-c. I had a look at the DVD which comes with the Micklem, TBH it was more of an ad than instructional so I'm no further forward with that one. Although it's the only bridle I have found which would fit my horse (large head). The search continues!

[intouch]

The Micklem is being used with success at Festina Lente in Bray, also the Dr Cook. See their webpage, www.festinalente.ie.

[JJsmum]

The Micklem is being used with success at Festina Lente in Bray, also the Dr Cook. See their webpage, www.festinalente.ie.

Thanks for that, I looked but couldn't find anything.

[intouch]

Sorry, the research is just Dr Cooks. Look under research. But they do use Micklem's as well.

[JJsmum]

My main prob is getting one to fit...the Dr Cook's comes in "draft" which I guess would fit, can't seem to source a sidepull big enough though.