I think my very first introduction to a type of bitless bridle was when I was about 9 or 10 years old and a pony at the riding school I went to had an English hackamore. He was a pink skinned grey/white gelding and he got sore easily on the corners of his mouth, sadly I cant remember his name now. Oh yes it was Bandit!!
After that when I got my Polly (pictured below) I struggled to find a bit that she was comfortable in and that she understood. I had also tried an English hackamore with her and it was ok but just not quite right for her. We went on to settle with a myler combination bit which was like a snaffle and bitless nose part together, this she was much happier with. I would sometimes try the snaffle part on its own but she didnt really like that.
Then we had a revelation. I had been reading about the Dr Cook bitless bridle and I liked the thoughts of trying one, it sounded like it might be a good choice for Polly so I hired one to try. We both loved it so I ordered a nice black leather one, you can see it on her below. She wore this happily for quite a while and then I decided to try something simpler to see how it would go.
I didnt want to spend lots of money on different bridles and like many folks with horses we collect various bridles, straps and such so I managed to fashion together a simple sidecue. I used an ordinary bridle but managed to had rings at the sides of the noseband to attach reins to, she liked this.So this was our new bridle for a short while.
Her next bitless bridle was an Orbitless and she uses that on the occassions we tack up now, however she also has a black leather transcend which is equally comfy for her, I could use either.
When I got Sally she was always going to be bitless with me, she was going to be a ridden horse as Polly has had numerous issues and lamenesses over the years and hasnt always been ridden. However, that didnt happen either, I soon found out that she headshakes and this can affect her for riding. I did start her but after an explosive episode on mounting one day back in 2013 resulting in a broken wrist I listened to what she was telling me more closely. Now this doesnt mean that we dont do anything together, or that she doesnt have a bridle.
Sallys bitless journey was really interesting to me, I asked her questions and listened for her answers. So what did she tell me? Well she doesnt like nose pressure, you will get nowhere with Sally if you want to have a heavy contact in any bridle or headcollar, not that Ive hauled on them with her. For most of the time you dont NEED anything on her head but we do sometimes for a change and it keeps her used to a headcollar for vet visits or hoof trimming (although I think we could do without).
So what did we try? The Micklem multi bridle was ok if I attach the reins to the rings higher up her cheeks, she didnt mind that at all but the thing I found with that bridle is that even with lots of suppling its still a bit bulky and a bit stiff so i thought I might see how she liked my Transcend. My Transcend is a double to I thought I would attach reins to the "curb". she didnt mind this but would need some practice as I dont think it was that clear for her. So I got her a beta biothane synthetic Micklem style bridle made, she is quite happy in this when we decide to use it. Pic below.
Oh the other that Sally is quite happy with is if I use a web headcollar and clip both reins to the chin ring, shes quite responsive to this too.
Ive had 3 other ponies Ive used bitless with. The first being Penny. After I had bought Pollys I decided to try it on Penny, she was bought for my daughters back in 2003, and she was never happy in a bit she would initially pull the reins down if you had a heavy contact and although we didnt she never looked happy. Well what a revelation for her to try the Dr Cook, although in hindsight we were probably just using it like a sidecue. Tor was with me briefly, he actually wasnt sure which he liked best.
Then Izzy was equally happy in Orbitless and transcend too.
I think my next blogs may be about the different types of bitless bridles.