Do the same "rules" apply? Gonna start riding my 5 year old TB in a dr cook bitless bridle, see if she likes it:)
I think you will be fine. Dr Cooks bridle uses pressure points on the poll and other parts of the head. The bit uses pressure on the tongue and mouth. I know someone who rides her young TB mare that's of the track. Her mare loves it! The design of the bridle actually makes it so your horse cannot escape the pressure, like she would be able to if she got her tongue over the bit. Just ride like you normally would. It might take some practice to get the steering right and to learn how much pressure you need.
I had tried a bitless bridle on my arab cross in the hopes of using it for endurance riding and he completely took advantage of me - he's not well-trained enough to listen without a bit. I'd say, however, that * starting * a horse with a bitless might be much more successful, because you have the opportunity to train with soft aids and cues the first time around instead of trying to re-teach a horse that's used to more pressure.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com So my advice is that as you start him, make sure that he responds to light cues, pressure and aids as well as voice commands and make sure he really really has them down. Make sure he knows that whoah really means whoah! That way the bitless bridle will really work, even when your horse gets a little naughty. Because a bitless uses less force/pressure, it would be much harder to try to control a bolting or bucking horse; it's that much more important to see that they're well trained before that stuff happens.
You should also be conscious that some bitless bridles, I think especially Dr. Cook's, put more pressure on a horse's poll (top of his head). If you're horse is ducking his head too much or acting irritated, ease up a little .
Kudos for going bitless! I think this is a fantastic idea for many equestrian sports, especially trail riding, western pleasure and endurance. I'll be starting my filly with a bitless when the time comes. Good luck!
I ride my Appendix mare in a Bitless rope bridle simply because she would grab the bit and really fight it. Turned out after consulting another trainer that she really just didn't like the pressue it put on her tongue. I tried a bunch of softer bits and it didn't seem to matter. The rope bridle i bought was really in-expensive and it has 4 knots along her nose and it really has made alot of difference with her.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com As for riding in them, same principles apply as in riding with a bit and your mare may do fine, but some will take advantage of the lack of pressure too so just be careful and pay attention to her as you work her with a bitless bridle . The only difference between the different bridles is where the presure is being placed. With a bit it is either on the tongue or the roof of the mouth. With a bitless it is either on the poll, nose, chin, cheekbones, or a combination of the four.
I enjoy bitless bridles and my horses are happier: D good luck and happy trails (:
You would have more leverage and thus more bite with a bridle and bit with a chinstrap. You could try a bitless bridld, but your horse may run through it and you may have to go back to a regular bridle.
I hope you have one already and are not going out and buy one??/I think they are some of that glorified crap that novice riders get just because it sounds good, it is just a glorified halter, like the sweet metal bits and the happy mouth bits. Don't bite.
Well it depends on a couple things. If she is five years old I'm guessing she won't listen and has her own attitude about things. Riding bitless gives you way less control . I have a 14 year old mare and we have a very strong bit with her and we thought it was too strong and we got her a happy mouth bit and she didn't listen at all to us. It depends on the horse, and a little on the discipline. If you ride western your horse might be a great neck reiner and doesn't need a bit, but if your jumping your horse might need a little more 'correction'.
Some can be severe as they put pressure on the poll, they are best used by someone who knows what they're doing so get some advice.
