Bitless Riding: For which horse is a bitless bridle suitable?
Bitless riding is the dream of many riders. To have the feeling of freedom when riding, mutual respect and full trust in the partner. But can any rider really ride any horse bitless?
Bitless riding can be done in different ways. Generally, it means that the horse wears a bridle, but no bit is buckled into it. Instead, the reins are attached to side rings or wheels. However, it is also possible to ride without a bridle. Riding with a neck ring can also be counted as bitless riding.
Depending on the buckling, the effect of the bridle varies and can therefore have different degrees of effect on the chin, bridge of the nose, cheeks and neck. In this guide we will show you the potential of bitless riding and which bitless bridle is the right one for your horse.
The potential of bitless riding: Why ride bitless?
Riding the horse bitless can be done for various reasons. For example, in case of dental problems or pain in the tongue, gums or jaws, the bitless bridle has proven to be a transitional bridle. In young horse training it is often used to keep the horse’s mouth sensitive for as long as possible.
Some horses have little or no space in the mouth, e.g. due to a fleshy tongue or a short mouth, which is why a bit can interfere and have a counterproductive effect on riding training.
If the horse has problems with the contact, for example, if it overbends, a bitless bridle can also be a sensible alternative to a bridle and encourage the horse to stretch. Keep in mind, however, that the overall picture of horse, rider, rider influence and equipment should always be analysed.
Apart from the physical reasons for riding bitless, bitless riding is an advantage for the relationship between human and horse. Here the rider receives direct feedback on the quality of his aids and the previous training of the horse. Riding without a bit is more than just leaving the bit out. It means working on the partnership with the horse. Not only in the step of changing from bridle to bitless, but also in choosing the correct bitless bridle you have to know the horse’s personality. What is his character like? How sensitive or slow does it react to body signals? How motivated is the horse to follow the rider’s signals? The better the communication between the horse-rider pair, the easier and safer it will be to ride successfully without a bit.
What are the possibilities of bitless riding?
Bitless sounds very general at first. However, as with different types of bits and bridles, there are various bitless bridles that differ in their effect.
The reason for this is the varying buckles, which determine how directly and precisely the aids reach the horse. Generally, one distinguishes between the following bitless alternatives:
Bosal
The bosal, also called Californian hackamore, is mainly used in Western riding. It consists of a noseband (bosal), reins (mecate) and a headpiece (bosallhanger), which are all connected and fastened together. The bosal acts mainly on the bridge of the horse’s nose. Both the bosal and the mecate are often made of braided mane or tail hair, making them relatively stiff so that the horse responds better by simply putting them on the neck. Because of its stiffness, the bosal should be adapted directly to the anatomy of the horse’s nose.
Sidepull
The sidepull is a popular bitless bridle which is guided by rings passing through the side of the reins. When the reins are pulled on one side, pressure is exerted on the bridge of the nose of the corresponding side.
It is therefore important that the sidepull does not sit too low so that it rests on the firm part of the nose bone. At the same time, the two-finger space between the noseband and the cheekbone must also be considered.
The sidepull is buckled relatively loosely. However, with this variation, parrying aids do not come through well, as the pressure on the horse’s nose is not great. Therefore it is unsuitable for dressage lessons, where precise signals are needed.
Bitless Bridle
The bitless bridle is constructed in a similar way to the sidepull, with the difference that the throat lash crosses under the horse’s head. This creates a stronger, lateral effect. If the rein is shortened on one side, the pressure on the opposite side of the head also increases. The horse is pushed to the side, so to speak, rather than pulled.
The bitless bridle works on the jaws, cheeks and neck. A disadvantage of this variation can be that the aids may be delayed, which can be misunderstood by the horse.
Glücksrad (Wheel of Fortune) Hackamore
Formerly called Glücksrad, the LG bridle is both a simple and versatile bitless bridle. Where the bit of a bridle is normally hooked in, there is a wheel with six spokes. Depending on where the reins and bridle are buckled in, the wheel turns more or less when the reins are pulled, thus exerting different amounts of pressure on the nose and head. If the reins are buckled further forward towards the mouth, the rotation is greater when the reins are pulled, which consequently increases the leverage and thus exerts more pressure.
Hackamore
The hackamore is the weymouth bit among the bitless bridles. The so-called shanks (lever-like attachments) exert pressure on the chin, bridge of the nose and neck. The longer the shanks, the stronger the pressure. But even with short shanks, a lot of pressure can be exerted. If the reins are pulled too hard, the horse’s nose bone can break in the worst case.
Because of the strong leverage of this variation, the hackamore should only be used by experienced riders with a steady and gentle hand.
Cavesson
Mostly used for lunging, the cavesson can also be used for riding. The side rings, which are attached to the noseband, make the cavesson similar in effect to a sidepull. However, as the rings are not directly on the side of many cavesson designs, it is possible that the lateral aids are not precise enough.
Some cavesson styles have additional straps that allow a bit to be attached, thus multiplying its use.
How exactly each bridle works and which horse would appreciate which bitless bridle, you can read in the following section.
Which bitless bridle suits my horse?
If you want to find the correct bitless bridle for your horse, you should analyse several points that go beyond the bridle itself.
Your horse with its character and reaction to signals plays a decisive role in the selection. You should also consider your relationship with your horse. Bitless riding is always a matter of respect and trust.
Basically, there are different degrees of action of the bridle depending on the construction and buckling. Bitless bridles have either a single or multiple action. In single action, pressure is applied either to the neck (neck ring) or to the nose or to the nose and cheeks when the reins act directly. In multiple action, the bridle is often buckled crosswise so that it applies pressure to the nose and cheeks or to the nose, cheeks and neck. Depending on the type of horse you have, you should choose a bridle with the appropriate action.
A bridle for strong horses with a mind of their own:
Strong, impetuous horses that often assert their own will, need a bridle with multiple action. If the relationship and coordination between rider and horse is good, it is also possible to switch to a bridle with less action. In dangerous situations, such as hacking, where you have to be more forceful, a bridle with more action always makes sense. A bitless bridle is a good choice for strong horses that need clear instructions and constant contact. This exerts pressure on the chin, cheeks and neck through the crossed chinstraps and thus gives clear and differentiated signals.
Sensitive horses with a delicate nervous system:
Even slight pressure can cause sensitive horses to resist or overreact. These horses need little motivation to move. In this case, the question of the brake should be clarified. The first step is to work on the brake without using force, namely through weight and voice aids. The bridle should not be seen as the main brake and the horse should not be pulled back by strong reins.
Sensitive horses require an equally sensitive rider, who can use a hackamore with short shanks with feeling and caution. The bridle should take back the pressure as quickly as the rider’s hand gives way. There should be no permanent pressure. The interplay between influence and giving way is particularly important with sensitive horses. Sensitive horses also appreciate a bridle with as few buckles on the head as possible.
Bitless bridle for young horses:
A bitless bridle can be a useful addition to the horse’s basic training. In this way, it remains sensitive in the mouth for a long time and learns to react to fine body signals without being touched in the mouth. For young horses that still have to learn to yield to pressure, lateral guidance by the bridle is important. They also need particularly comprehensible aids. A sidepull is therefore ideal for young horses: A sidepull influences the head position and can also be used on the double lunge rein. It guides gently and understandably, allows clear, lateral impulses and at the same time does not get stuck on the bridge of the nose, but gives way as soon as the rider’s hand moves forward. For further training, when fine, differentiated aids are to be worked out, the sidepull is rather disadvantageous, as its transmission can appear spongy.
Riding spooky and extroverted horses bitless:
Spooky or extroverted horses that clearly show their insecurity need security through clear guidance. A bitless bridle with wheels on the sides is particularly suitable for this purpose, as it has a varying effect on the nose and neck depending on how it is buckled. To a certain extent, bitless bridles with wheels also guide sideways. However, this bridle should not be used on horses with contact problems, as they may resist the pressure on the nose.
A hackamore with short shanks can also be used on spooky and extroverted horses. However, a hackamore does not allow clear lateral direction.
Motivating slow and introverted horses with a bitless bridle:
Outwardly, slow and introverted horses often appear to be stubborn or even lazy. In contrast to extroverted horses, however, they quickly shut down under pressure and excessive demands and lose all motivation to make an effort or move for the human. If even more pressure were then applied to bring them out of their lethargy, the condition of an introverted horse would only worsen. Taking the pressure out is the motto here. Therefore, when choosing a bitless bridle for such horses, attention should also be paid to this.
The bridle should immediately give way as soon as the rider’s hand gives way. This works, for example, with a correctly fitting sidepull.
Riding with a neck ring can be a welcome change to get the motivation and joy of movement out of a horse that is introverted. Please note, however, that this should only take place in a fenced area, such as a riding arena.
