Bitless Bridles

Which bitless bridles are available for Western horses?

• Sidepull
• Classic hackamore or bosal
• Knot rope halter

How do bitless bridles work?

Bitless bridles are becoming increasingly popular among Western riders - not least because they have the reputation of being particularly gentle and horse-friendly. In fact, when used correctly, they can be gentle on the horse's sensitive mouth, for example on horses with dental problems or young horses undergoing the change of teeth. In general, bitless bridles are often used for training young horses. For example, a sidepull is recommended for Western horses that are at the beginning of their training. Thanks to the reins attached to side rings, they give good lateral guidance.
In contrast, Western horses that have been trained extensively are often ridden with a bosal. This is ridden one-handed, which is also called neck reining. However, if incorrectly handled, too much pull or an incorrectly fitted bosal, it can cause serious damage as it acts sharply on the bridge of the nose.
Bitless bridles require a particularly balanced, independent seat and a calm, gentle rider's hand and for this reason are only recommended to a limited extent for beginners and novice riders.
Important: Before using a bitless bridle, it is essential to find out whether riding without a bit is covered by your horse third-party liability insurance and accident insurance. This is not the case with all insurances!

How is a bitless Western bridle adjusted correctly?

The same rule applies to bitless bridles as to Western headstalls with a bit: Sidepull and bosal must fit perfectly! Because a bitless bridle is only as sharp as the rider's hand. If the bridle does not fit properly, it can lead to pain for the horse, but also to unpleasant friction or even injury.
A sidepull must be adjusted in the same way as a bridle. If it sits too loosely, it slips away from the areas where it is supposed to work when the reins are shortened. Then the aids become unclear and it can even become dangerous if you can no longer influence your horse accurately.

• Adjust the cheek pieces so that the noseband does not press on the soft airways or the thin tip of the nose.
• The cheek pieces must not slip into the eye when the reins are shortened.
• The side rings must remain in the centre of the horse's head when the reins are shortened.
• Two fingers must fit under the noseband.
• There must be a distance of 1-2 finger widths between the side rings and the cheekbone.

For ponies it can be difficult to find the appropriate size sidepull. The way to find the appropriate bitless bridle for ponies is through trial and error. Some ponies will fit a sidepull in pony size. However, a cob size sidepull might also fit a full-size pony. Otherwise, the same fitting rules apply as for a warmblood.
A bosal or classic hackamore consists of a very hard bow, usually made of rawhide, which has to be adapted to the shape of the horse's nose. The bosal arch must rest on the thickest part of the horse's nose or nose bone. The height of the bosal can be adjusted by means of the hanger on which the bosal hangs, which can be compared to the headpiece of a bridle. The shape of the bosal should be adjusted so that it lies close to the horse's nose all around without pinching the horse. Since the bosal is usually made of rawhide, it is easy to crumple and bend. Western riders sometimes spend weeks bending the bosal to fit their horse. If you are not sure whether the bosal fits your horse, it is best to ask an expert. Finally, the number of turns with which the mecate is knotted to the bosal also determines the shape or width of the bosal. At least one, but no more than three turns should be used. If more than three turns of the mecate are necessary to fit the bosal correctly, the bosal is too large. On the horse's chin, there should be room for two transverse fingers between the chin and the last turn of the mecate.

What is a sidepull and how does it work?

A sidepull is similar in construction to a halter and is often used for training young horses to make them understand the sideways pointing rein aids. This is where the name of the bridle comes from. A sidepull acts on the nose with direct rein control. However, the reins must not be pulled permanently. The focus is on clear lateral impulses, which is important in training young horses. But a sidepull is also suitable for horses with dental problems or as a corrective bridle. The wider the leather nose piece, the softer it appears.

What is a Bosal bridle?

A bosal is often used on well-trained Western horses and is also called a classic hackamore. Like almost every bitless bridle, it only belongs in experienced hands. The bosal is only suitable for one-handed reining and the horse should have understood the principle of neck reining by avoiding the pressure of the rein resting on the neck.
The bosal is a ring made of rawhide that is "hung" on the horse's head by means of a hanger. The reins, the so-called mecate, a rope rein made of horse hair or nylon, are knotted to the bosal under the horse's chin.
Correct adjustment is important with a bosal because it is relatively inflexible. Experts bend the bosal over several days and weeks until it fits the horse's head. It works on the bridge of the nose and the chin, as well as by applying the rein to the horse's neck.