When I first got Dan as a colt I did his first few rides bitless in a halter and lead rope tied as reins. Then we went through the progression of a snaffle and then a dog-bone curb bit. When Alex started riding him, I quickly realized that Dan's sensitivity and Alex's beginner hands were a bad combination. I had seen a new option on the market that I liked. It was called the Justin Dun bitless bridle, so I got one for Dan when Alex rides him. He was instantly much happier! In a bit he had even developed an awful habit of going against lateral pressure, but this very quickly disappeared after he transitioned to bitless. In this bitless bridle we actually felt like we were more in control than in a bit. |
The top reasons why I transitioned Zeke to bitless:
- In the winter there is no cold metal to put into his mouth
- The tongue is important for gaiting and bitless has no tongue pressure/restrictions
- On long trail or endurance rides it is easier to graze
- When he is very forward I don't have to worry about hurting his mouth when holding him back
- Lindsey Partridge, founder of Harmony Horsemanship, said that she believes bitless is better emotionally for horses
Here is a blog post I read years ago. Reading it again now it is even more meaningful. Previously I hadn't studied much Dressage and was only faintly interested in endurance trail riding. However, this post really encouraged me to think about bitless and specifically the Zilco flower hackamore.
Bosals and the Vaquero/California style seemed almost magical. I always wanted to try one, but knew they were hard to fit correctly. I had picked one up cheap at a garage sale, but it didn't fit well. The bosal and the similar loping hackamore also have rein attachments underneath the head similarly to a rope halter. Because of this connection point I didn't know if this would be a good option for Zeke.
I do not like bitless options where the reins attach to a rope that goes underneath the head and to the opposite side (either at the nose or underneath the jaw). I think the pressure isn't clear and could be problematic when high pressure is required in emergency situations.
I was never a fan of "mechanical" style hackamores that use leverage and metal shanks. As I saw others I respect using them more I considered them more. I saw a lot of the Zilco Little S and Flower Hackamore. I have also heard many gaited horse riders recommend the flower hackamore. I was also drawn to its options and adjust-ability, so I purchased one with the intention of it being Zeke's bridle for competitive trail. He likes leverage bits and on cool mornings we will likely need a little extra.
There are many "side pull" options or attachmetns, but none seemed as good as the Justin Dun model. I have considered getting a Harmony Horsemanship fusion halter to ride in with reins attached to the sides. However, I wanted a bridle set-up. I'm hoping to get a fusion halter at some point and ride in it for light riding or training younger horses.
There was a new "black" model of the Justin Dunn bitless bridle with smaller buckles that I decided to try on Zeke as a regular riding bridle. It looked really sharp on him! He very quickly took to it. I didn't feel like I didn't have control. In fact, when he would get nervous and forward in a bit he would get more tense. With the bitless bridle he relaxed more and seemed more emotionally balanced. I was really impressed with how well I could ask him to do dressage in it. He seemed way more in-tuned with me bitless than he did in a bit. We have made great progress in finding emotional balance and relaxation during anxiety inducing situations. |
Competitive trail riding allows all styles of bitless bridles. One of my obstacle challenges does not have tack restrictions, but the other one does not allow mechanical style hackamores. Harmony Horsemanship virtual shows allow bitless bridles. I may not compete undersaddle in Cowboy Dressage, because the only bitless bridles Cowboy Dressage allows are traditional bosals and loping hackamores. These function differently than the side pull style that I'm currently having success with at this time. Although I have been tempted to try a loping hackamore to see how Zeke responds.
Do you ride bitless? What do you ride in and why?