|
|
Post by snigsby on Jan 5, 2019 19:35:10 GMT
As the title says, I am thinking about going bitless with my boys but have no clue where to start. Would anyone like to tell me about the type of bitless they use and how it works and why they use it?
Neither of my boys have any issues eg bolting but I think it would be kinder to ride bitless, I'm just a bit scared!
|
|
|
|
Post by kas on Jan 6, 2019 9:12:06 GMT
I'd always start with a rope halter, the aids aren't precise as in if you want to do dressage, but they are quite clear for things like flexion, backup and halt. A well fitting rope halter with some clip reins will leave you with a leadrope to put through your belt or whatever in case you need to get off. Just bear in mind that nothing will break apart from the clips on the reins.
It's down to checking that your basic groundwork is good and soft and then trying it all out in the saddle. You will probably be surprised that you forget you haven't got a bit, it just doesn't feel much different.
The main thing is to understand and practise the 1 rein stop - but not constantly bringing the head round to an extreme angle - good flexion(with ears level), then turn your hand so that the palm is facing upward to step a hind leg under.
It's quite a big topic...
I don't like crossunder bridles, none of them release properly. I just use a lovely soft sidepull I got from Kramer Equestrian. But if you feel maybe a little bit more control would be reassuring you could look at maybe the Orbitless?
Hope that's a start! :-)
|
|
|
|
Post by quest on Jan 6, 2019 9:41:52 GMT
I started many tears ago with Nancy wearing both her bridle and ropes until I became confident. I've tried several different bit less methods and always revert back to my ropes. That said, we are both retired and now only do a little hacking.
|
|
pearlieking1977
Junior Member
Proudly owned by a purebred Arab <3
Posts: 56
|
Post by pearlieking1977 on Jan 7, 2019 9:47:59 GMT
I agree with Kas, Snigs. Cross under bitless don’t release properly. My old horse hate it. So, I did as Kas described and did the rope halter/reins route with Murphy. It found just a snaffle bridle over the top the first couple of sessions was a good fall back. But soon just rode Smurf in the halter.
|
|
|
|
Post by snigsby on Jan 7, 2019 12:37:34 GMT
Do you attach both reins to the loop under their chin?
|
|
|
|
Post by kas on Jan 7, 2019 20:32:57 GMT
Yes, a rope halter for riding should fit reasonably snug, not hanging loose as you see in a lot of photos. Depends on how your rope is attached, I used to have ropes with lovely flat loops that left lots of room for clip on reins, but lost them all in the fire. It's a bit more of a fight to fit the clips in now, but I manage it. Alternatively you can tie the lead rope as reins - I think there are vids on You Tube suggesting suitable knots.
|
|
|
|
Post by frenchie on Jan 7, 2019 21:09:34 GMT
Karen Rohlf of Dressage Naturally sells a bitless bridle that allows you to attach a bit so you ride off two reins to start with (if you want the confidence of having the bit there initially). You can then remove the additional headpiece and just use the bitless part. Or of course the cheaper option is to ride with the rope halter as well under your bridle and gradually change the focus to just riding off the halter, but of course as Kas said the foundation needs to be there with the rope halter first.
|
|
|
|
Post by nicxf on Jan 17, 2019 7:13:33 GMT
The way I've done it is pretty much what Kas says. Halter to teach direction, backwarda and halt on the ground - or headcollar if your horse hates the feel of the rope halter. A couple of ponies I've worked with got really cross about the rope halter but were fine in a bog standard headcollar. Then I've used a couple of bitless bridles:
- a plain sidepull: the Transcend sidecue, it's really padded and soft so great for ponies that prefer something gentle;
- a flower hackamore: one pony HATED the sidepull for some reason, but went very nicely in the flower hackamore. I felt it was because there's a bit of the gap between the metalwork and his face, whereas the sidepull is always touching, and there are some sensitive nerves down the sides of the nose. He was one of the ponies who preferred the headcollar to the rope halter.
The mule I'm currently working with, as his owner wants to take him bitless,does really well in the rope halter as she's done loads of in-hand agility with him in it, so the foundation is there. We tried a crossunder and he found it really confusing; he leaned on the flower hackamore; but in a Transcend sidepull he has moments of being really soft. So that's the one we're sticking with.
Hope that helps! Horses for courses, try a few things and see what they prefer. 😄
|
|
|
|
Post by snigsby on Jan 17, 2019 14:00:49 GMT
Redacted  |
|
|
|
Post by nicxf on Jan 31, 2019 14:27:44 GMT
How are you getting on with the bitless experiments, Snigsby?
|
|
