Bitless bridles

[greydales]

Does anyone use a hackamore or Dr Cook? In view of the fact I rode Dancer for five hours plus in a headcollar, I'd like to try a bitless on him as he's never been happy in his mouth.

Don't know if he'd need the control of a hackamore although he can be a bit strong on occasion!

I do have a Libby's scawbrig but don't like the way the chinstrap keeps pulling through either side.

[mrsp]

I never use a bitted bridle on my horses unless i have to.
My old tb used a English bitless. Pearl has a Nurtural and Coltie has a Dr Cook.Even Kay's pony Brandy is now ridden in the old bitless - I love them!!

[harleydales]

I've used a Dr Cook and used to ride my Highland in a German Hackamore with great success. I prefer Hackamore to Dr Cook and would like to try it with Harley but it doesn't work with the endurance combination bridle.

Hackamores are only fierce if you use tem hard - you can leave the curb loose to lessen the effect

[valerie n scout]

I bought a Micklem...but with Scout not being 100%, ive only used it once, it fit nice and he did have brakes but I havnt used it enough to make a reasonable comment x

[Rachel]

I have both, mainly use them at home, use the dr cook occasionally but much prefer my german hackamore.
Hes not strong and if you ride light and correctly then it shouldn't be an issue

[greydales]

Thanks for all your replies, I've just bought an English hackamore and will see how he goes!

[Deleted]

Hi

I have used a dr cook's and really like it. It is really good for lunging in and for riding was brill as well, but have started to use him in his hanging cheek snaffle again, as he seems to be really enjoying it.

lv toria

[tudorben]

Always use Dr.Cook's no problems with it, wouldn't change now

[valerie n scout]

been using the Micklem and love it x

[SuzieP]

How are you getting on with the hackamore, Gill?

I'm thinking of trying Bea bitless and am thinking how to get started without spending a fortune.

[greydales]

He's very good in the hackamore Sue - you know how he has always been mouthy - well with the hackamore he absolutely isn't at all! No more head flinging, stargazing, crossing his jaw or gaping his mouth!

The only thing is that you don't have the fine tuning you get with a bit, and possibly not quite the same degree of control although I haven't ridden him out in it enough to make a proper comparison. I rode him out in it on his own last year and sneaked into a few fields for a blast, and he was easy enough to pull up - but he's pretty good on brakes anyway (most of the time! ;D).

Meant to add, I have Pip's old Libby's Scawbrig that you could borrow, and hackamores aren't too expensive, you can get them from Shires for about £28.

[mrsp]

I have ridden 99% of y horses in an REnglish bitless but have changed to a Nurtural Bitless for Pearl and Coltie is usually ridden in the English or a Dr Cook.

[mickey]

Interesting to read- the only time Ive tried bitless was with a Dr Cooks bridle on a fairly strong cob. It wasn't a ride I enjoyed as he continuosly put his head down and grazed whilst I did a thelwell impression. His owner however loved it.... horses for courses?

[tomasnrichy]

Hi Gill , good luck with this , as Valerie said we use a Micklem on Scout, when i have rode him no probs , i used it when we did that hamsterley frost ride and no probs keeping control , even when we had a blast , there is a web site where they demonstrate it etc , just a thought Richy x

[Debbie]

If you do use a bitless, please check the teeth. Sharp points on the teeth can cause a severe reaction to the hackamore/bitless bridle pressing against the side of the face.