Bitless Horse Association
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

newbie wanting to know where to start

+3
HorseHippie
Cyndi
Rumba
7 posters

Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by Rumba Tue Sep 08, 2009 3:47 pm

Hi all, I've recently signed up after giving a lot of thought to going bitless with my horse. I've tried nearly a dozen different bits and no matter who rides him, his tongue just hangs out, he grabs the bit and off he goes.
The only thing is, I'm not sure how much I trust myself and his training. I've only had him six months and in that time he's twice gone into a panicky gallop on the trail. Granted, that was in our first month together and since then our bond is growing and he's easier to get under control. He's a dressage horse, so I'm not the least bit afraid he'll get out of control indoors though I do wonder if there's any particular bit that is the best suited for dressage?
I was thinking of the micklem multi bridle because I could try out the three different bitless options to see which suits him best (that is, hoping that any of these works??) Are there other bridles that might be a better starting point?
Thanks! newbie wanting to know where to start Icon_sunny

Rumba

Posts : 6
Join date : 2009-09-07

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by Cyndi Tue Sep 08, 2009 4:19 pm

Welcome here Rumba!

I am not very knowledgeable about what bitless is better than another, so I will let the very well experienced people in here advise you on what may be best for your horse. I just wanted to welcome you here newbie wanting to know where to start Icon_biggrin .

For what it's worth, I use a Nurtural Bitless on my horse. I'm happy with it, but because of my lack of knowledge in fitting, I'm still not 100% sure that I have it fitted perfectly. My mare seems to be fine in it, but I don't know if it could be even better. I've done my best to fit it like they say to on the video, so that's all I can do newbie wanting to know where to start Icon_smile . Not a lot of bitless people to talk to in my area, which is too bad.
Cyndi
Cyndi

Posts : 780
Join date : 2008-08-09
Location : Ontario, Canada

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by HorseHippie Wed Sep 09, 2009 12:21 pm

I use a Dr. Cook's and they seem to work well. Like Cyndi, not too many bitless in my area as well, so I had a friend come out and help me fit it.

It's working for me so far!
HorseHippie
HorseHippie

Posts : 247
Join date : 2009-02-19
Location : Saskatchewan, Canada

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by FlorayG Wed Sep 09, 2009 1:26 pm

Where to start? with the right attitude to the problem. I first went bitless when I finished a 30 mile endurance ride on Dancing and got vetted out for my horse having a bruised mouth. I was horrified and I thought, well, I can't stop her in any bit, so bitless at least I can't hurt her mouth and do you know she was no more and no less difficult to control in a halter than she was in a pelham. My point being, that your horse needs retraining and deciding to go bitless means you are determined not to hurt him any more. Dancing still runs off with me as everyone here knows after 7 years bitless but the difference is that I trust her, she runs for fun not for fear, and when we HAVE to stop she always will - we have an understanding.
Now, Dancing is just a mad horse who likes to go fast - I can't pony her because she pulls my lead horse along -but most horses go fast out of fear, or pain, or because they think that is want you want them to do. The first thing you need to find out is which of those 3 things it is, unless you are lucky enough to have a horse like Dancing in which case just hang on to your hat! What a Face
Keep posting her we will do all we can to help. Where in the world are you?
FlorayG
FlorayG

Posts : 296
Join date : 2008-08-09

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by FlorayG Wed Sep 09, 2009 1:28 pm

Oh, I forgot to say, any bitless will do, just pick one you like the look of, I think what is on the horses face has no relevance to what is in it's head. Just my opinion. Wink
FlorayG
FlorayG

Posts : 296
Join date : 2008-08-09

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by Jo Thu Sep 10, 2009 3:13 am

I use the nurtural and the lightrider depending where I am and what I am doing - all I know is that the more Trelawny matures, the less I need to pick up the reins at all - except to stop him eating grass!!!!
Jo
Jo

Posts : 110
Join date : 2008-08-11
Location : UK

http://www.walksfarphotography.co.uk

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by Rumba Thu Sep 10, 2009 3:34 am

Thanks for your replies.
I had a awful experience yesterday and I feel terrible about it. I was mounting my horse in the arena, getting ready to join a girlfriend for a short ride outdoors. A lady let her very energetic horse loose in the paddock next to the arena and for some reason or another my friends horse spooked and mine joined. I was JUST sitting down into the saddle and had no feet in stirrups and actually had my back to the whole situation when I felt his muscles tense under me and before I could even blink he was off and so was I. I felt terrible because my hand didn't let go of the rein and when I stood up i could see I had pulled on the bit. I felt AWFUL! I wanted to cry and spent the next hour apologizing to my horse. newbie wanting to know where to start Icon_sad I still feel terrible.
On a more positive note, my dressage instructor rides this horse once a week and I mentioned that I wanted to start him bitless and she said "Oh, I have one in my locker, just pick it up when you want to try it." But, she left before I could get the locker combo and therefore I didn't have it on him when I took my tumble. newbie wanting to know where to start Icon_cry I believe she has a Dr Cooks cross-under style.
I had ordered the Micklem a couple of weeks ago but his size is backordered, so hopefully it'll come in shortly. Until then I'll be using my instructors and a halter.

Rumba

Posts : 6
Join date : 2009-09-07

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by HorseHippie Thu Sep 10, 2009 7:46 am

Sorry about your little episode! That is another reason why I went bitless - I don't have steady hands! But we are working on that!

Let us know how it works out for you!
HorseHippie
HorseHippie

Posts : 247
Join date : 2009-02-19
Location : Saskatchewan, Canada

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by Sydney Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:50 am

Sorry to hear about your bad experience. Horses thankfully forgive us for the things we do to them unknowingly. Good thing you have an understanding instructor that has a bitless bridle =D

Personally when I am looking for a bitless bridle I am looking for something that gives me suttle communication and no pain.
Because of this I am not a fan of any bitless that places pressure on the mental nerve of the face. The mental nerve is part of the trigmenal nerve branch and sits just back of the bottom lip. It is a very sensitive nerve. A lot of "harsher" bits have curb chains and so do mechanical hackamores. Curb chains, straps etc amplify the pounds of pressure you pull by 10 x or more. When/if I pull back on both reins (which is not often I want my horse to respond to my body/voice so I use one rein most of the time if needed) I want my horse to feel pounds for pounds of what I am pulling by, not by pounds of pain.
I use a nurtural bitless bridle. I have tried many bridles through my riding career like hackamores, sidepulls, bosals, other cross unders such as dr.cooks and a few amish made ones. I train a few young (and sometimes old) horses a year to ride and drive. Every one of them go bitless regardless of their training. I find if they can go in a nurtural they could be ridden in a bosal or sidepull or even halter. I just found I needed suttler cues and this is what the Nurtural gave me. I remember riding in a bit and I always wanted to believe and was told I had very soft, elastic hands. I remember what I used to have to do to stop horses or slow them down. Now especially with my mare Indigo all I have to do is close my hands a little. It's a world of a difference. Some horses transform right away, others it takes a wile but mostly it's the rider that needs adjusting and as they find they can feel what their horse is doing because it's relaxed, quieter cues come naturally.
Sydney
Sydney

Posts : 292
Join date : 2008-08-10
Age : 35
Location : Harrow Ontario Canada

http://www.nurturalhorse.com

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by Rumba Fri Sep 11, 2009 1:48 pm

Well, I tried my instructors bridle and I am over the moon! Consider me sold. I rode my boy a half hour in the outdoor arena just getting a grasp of how he'd feel under me. I felt like he tucked his nose to the inside a bit more, so maybe I was trying for too much contact. however, he was relaxed (even a bit in slow motion) and yet he was on my leg, and tracking up from behind and stepping under beautifully. He was also easy to stop, at the merest suggestion from me and that has been a challenge. He usually tries to push through the bit and it ends up being a fight.
I also took him on a very short 30 minute ride through the forest with a short canter and he was lovely.
It'll take some time to get a grasp of rein aids, because I did feel that was different.
I don't know if you can see, but this is the bridle I used. It's a real simple deal with a crossunder chin and applies pressure to nose and under the chin. I liked it a lot because it feels like the pressure is released pretty quickly.


newbie wanting to know where to start Bitlooshoofdstel%202

Rumba

Posts : 6
Join date : 2009-09-07

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by Cyndi Fri Sep 11, 2009 2:43 pm

Great to hear that this bitless worked so well for you!!!! What brand is it? It looks really nice. No adjustments to make on the cheeks newbie wanting to know where to start Icon_smile !

And you are another person who is able to post pics in your posts!! Do you use a web-based photo site, like Picasa, or something, that allows you to transfer photos?? newbie wanting to know where to start Icon_scratch I've tried to post pics in here, and I get a pop-up type of link, but I can't even get that to work for me. newbie wanting to know where to start Icon_evil
Cyndi
Cyndi

Posts : 780
Join date : 2008-08-09
Location : Ontario, Canada

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by Sydney Fri Sep 11, 2009 2:51 pm

That is so great! We hear stories like this each and every day when people choose bitless.

However I can't see the images?
Sydney
Sydney

Posts : 292
Join date : 2008-08-10
Age : 35
Location : Harrow Ontario Canada

http://www.nurturalhorse.com

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by Cyndi Fri Sep 11, 2009 5:08 pm

You can't see the image? newbie wanting to know where to start Icon_scratch Might it be a setting on your computer that's causing the problem? Maybe that's my problem with not being able to post pics in my posts - a setting. Grr...my husband, the computer genius, is away till Sunday, so I can't check with him. Here I am, stuck with being able to look at fabulous pics, but not being able to post any! LOL!!

BTW, since you can't see the pic, it looks like a soft rider bridle...at least I think that's what they're called newbie wanting to know where to start Icon_surprised .
Cyndi
Cyndi

Posts : 780
Join date : 2008-08-09
Location : Ontario, Canada

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by Cyndi Fri Sep 11, 2009 5:11 pm

Nope, it's not a soft rider!! The one I was thinking of is the Light Rider...but that's still not the one that's in the pic, because the light rider has a cheek strap.
Cyndi
Cyndi

Posts : 780
Join date : 2008-08-09
Location : Ontario, Canada

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by lightertouch Sat Sep 12, 2009 3:52 am

It looks and sounds like its an under the nose job like the Light Rider, but it doesn't look anything like mine. I'd be v. interested to know what it is Rumba Smile
lightertouch
lightertouch

Posts : 249
Join date : 2008-08-10

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by lightertouch Sat Sep 12, 2009 3:53 am

Btw, yummy looking boy you have there Rumba, welcome to the forum newbie wanting to know where to start Icon_cheers
lightertouch
lightertouch

Posts : 249
Join date : 2008-08-10

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by FlorayG Sat Sep 12, 2009 1:45 pm

Like I said, you have the right attitude. The fact that you felt awful after you pulled your horse when he was scared means you are on the right track. It won't be all plain sailing bitless, things will go wrong, but I think you will get there.
Keep posting
FlorayG
FlorayG

Posts : 296
Join date : 2008-08-09

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by Rumba Sun Sep 13, 2009 7:04 am

Re: photos in general...I usually put up my images on photobucket, but I have to admit that the pic posted is from the manufacturers website. newbie wanting to know where to start Icon_silent It's sold by Emiel Voest, a Dutch fella that has developed and marketted his theory of natural horsemanship. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post a URL, so I'll just leave it at that. I've searched and searched for an equivalent bridle and have yet to find one. IT kind of looks like a scrawbrig (sp?) but again I can't find any real good pics of the scrawbrig to compare. However, I'll post a pic as soon as I can of the bridle on my horse.

Yesterday we went to a big fair and Emiel Voest had a stand and I bought one of my own so I don't have to borrow my instructors. I also had a very nice discussion with another lady that I take lessons with who was watching while I was riding. I asked her how messy it looked newbie wanting to know where to start Icon_redface , and she said we both looked nice and relaxed and it was nice not to see his tongue hanging out. newbie wanting to know where to start Fresse She also said that if I really liked how he felt and went in it, I should just take all my lessons in it and ignore anyone that doesn't approve. newbie wanting to know where to start Icon_cheers Two thumbs up for her because she's a real traditionalist and the barn manager!

Rumba

Posts : 6
Join date : 2009-09-07

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by Rumba Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:39 pm

Here are the pics I took today of it.

newbie wanting to know where to start P1000312
newbie wanting to know where to start P1000308
newbie wanting to know where to start P1000314
newbie wanting to know where to start P1000316

Rumba

Posts : 6
Join date : 2009-09-07

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by Cyndi Sun Sep 13, 2009 1:53 pm

What a great thing for your barn manager to say!! I hope that things continue to go well with using the bridle all the time. You may very well be a great role model to the people who know your horse and how he used to react to the bit. Go be a shining light!! newbie wanting to know where to start Icon_cheers newbie wanting to know where to start Icon_cheers

GREAT pics!!! You have a lovely horse, and I really like the looks of that bridle. Maybe someone else in here could let me know for sure, but it looks like it's still a cross-under bridle, right? The pressure is on the nose, not under the chin, right? Also need some clarification on something else...do the Nurtural and Dr.Cook both put pressure on the nose as well as the side of the face...but not the poll? Maybe I'd better go visit the Nurtural site and see if I can find that info. Funny how you just trust something that works but sometimes don't pay a lot of attention to the details or mechanics of it newbie wanting to know where to start Icon_surprised
Cyndi
Cyndi

Posts : 780
Join date : 2008-08-09
Location : Ontario, Canada

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by lightertouch Mon Sep 14, 2009 12:35 pm

Wow, actually its NOT like a Light Rider after all - it is a crossunder Cyndi. Its just most other crossunders cross the cheeks, while this acts on underside of the nose. Tres interessant....

My understanding is that the Nurtural and the Dr. Cooks both put pressure on the poll, the cheeks and the nose (the 'whole head hug' thing).
lightertouch
lightertouch

Posts : 249
Join date : 2008-08-10

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by Rumba Mon Sep 14, 2009 2:10 pm

This pressure of this one acts first on the chin, then nose. I tested it by putting my hands under his chin and on his nose while the husband squeezed on left or right rein. DH used it today when he rode and he got the same result I did. The horse seemed to go OK, but he had a lot of trouble getting him energized. He said he felt like he was riding with the emergency brake on. I noticed the same thing when I rode with it (though at the time gave the horse the benefit of the doubt in just finding it different and needing to adjust) and I wonder if it's not releasing pressure like it should? I'm going to move it further up his nose tomorrow when I take him out for trail ride. I've also found out someone else at the barn has a Dr Cooks which she'll let me borrow to see if that makes any difference. He doesn't shake his head, or throw his nose up or anything so I can't figure out what it is. newbie wanting to know where to start Icon_scratch

Rumba

Posts : 6
Join date : 2009-09-07

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by Jo Tue Sep 15, 2009 2:26 pm

Could it be that you are putting too much pressure on the reins?? Do you ride loose or do you like lots of contact - I wonder if that makes a difference..... I ride Trelawny in a Lightrider and a Nurtural - but I ride very loose - and could probably get away with riding without a bridle at all - except when he has the munchies - then we wouldnt go anywhere!
Jo
Jo

Posts : 110
Join date : 2008-08-11
Location : UK

http://www.walksfarphotography.co.uk

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by lightertouch Sat Sep 19, 2009 1:39 pm

It has to be said that the release (or lack of) has been a perceived issue with the Dr. Cooks. I certainly felt it doesn't release as it might. Maybe this is the case with any crossunder that doesn't have a widget of some kind like the Nurtural does....
lightertouch
lightertouch

Posts : 249
Join date : 2008-08-10

Back to top Go down

newbie wanting to know where to start Empty Re: newbie wanting to know where to start

Post by Sponsored content


Sponsored content


Back to top Go down

Back to top

- Similar topics
» Newbie

 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum