bitless bridles poll

[jinglejoys]

I drive Blue in a Dr Cooks lookalike that I'm told is a "Spirit"
www.canadiantack.com/bitlessbridle.htm

[kayron]

parelli halter (one rope) and / or hackamore (2 reins). Both work, the hackamore makes som people feel better - and is maybe more responsive.

to field - just a headcollar!

Used an english hackamor on previous horses - ok for a while then she started leaning a little on it

[Bay Mare]

I used the English Hackamore for a while when we were working on my mare's bitting issues! She went really well in it but we've gone back to a bit now because she works better in one.

[Mrs Craig]

I'm an English Sidepull user. Love it! So does Henry. Tis lovely to have a pony dip his head into the bridle for you!

[susan in greece]

ooh good morning all, what interesting replies.

desperado, where did you buy the happywheel, can't seem to find any details or where to buy one. robbies used to do them apparently. you look the biz on that pic of maddie. my greek friends here would fall over laughing at the fact somoeone would ride a race horse (as they would call her) without a bit but wear helmet and body protection ...just in case.

what's an english sidepull frances?

actually the terminology for the various options would be clearer is we could have some more pics. pics are goooood.

great thread, well done me. !

the doctor cooks on mr floyd does look very well made i must say, and looks really comfy. but there seems to be extreme views on this bridle. why would you not touch one Marrianna? would you consider a german hackamore, which i've read is potentially severe?

[susan in greece]

jingle joys, hi! love your cart! do you go far on it?

[Desperado]

I bought both my happywheels from robinsons, one form mail order the other from teh shop itself. I saw them in the shop when i went up there week before last, so they still sell them, not sure about mail order tho.

heres the website for the happywheel
translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.molekuer.de/&prev=/search%3Fq%3DMo%2BLekuer%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D

maddie is a darling, i wear my body protector everytime i ride now, regardless of what horse im on, its helps top support my shoulder and my back, and i feel so much safer with it on, i actually broke my collarbone quite badly and wasnt wearing a hat or a bp at the time.

[me]

I too am a happy Dr cooks user. My pony also dips his head to go in to it where as it was always a struggle to get him into a bitted bridle. It is beautifully made and I should look after it better! Mariaana I would be interested to know why you "would not touch" a Dr Cooks

[apachepony]

Desperado!!! Never heard of a happywheel!! Where can I find out more?

Voted English Hackamore as that is what I am using at the mo, but I would like to look at a bosal when I have found out how it works, a scawbrig or maybe this happywheel?

[Mariaana]

Hello all - Dr Cooks theory fails to convince me, I have tried it on several horses and it does not relese the pressure the way I want. My pony who is a sensitive little person, got into a panic with the "whole head hug".

I know many people are happy with it, but it's not for me!

[Desperado]

I to have a dr cook, but non of my horses like the head hug action, they all turn into pulling monsters when that goes on, i have used it for in hand showing tho, may try it on ceryn again now shes been backed longer, mums having a few troubles with steering and pony ignoring her when she sees grass

the link didint work for the happywheel heres the non translated version www.molekuer.de/

apachepony- the bosal is a very simple bitless, ive just been hacking in one ;D its basically just a loop of braided leather around the nose, the reins are tied under the chin and weights the bosal, brakes are basically nose pressure, and turning is the one side of the bosal touching the horses face on the other side.
My boy is very sensitive and goes quite well in his bosal, hes so good with turning off weight aids and neck reining i just use my weight to turn him most of the time, unless were arguing about direction brakes are suprisingly good in it for me, ive only used it on one other horse who is also very responsive (my rein untied itself off my bosal and i rode her home with one rein). i may try it on ceryn aswel lto see how she goes, shes only been backed a few months and steering still isnt up to scratch yet.

[jinglejoys]

susangreece said:

jingle joys, hi! love your cart! do you go far on it?

She takes me back and forth to work (!0ml round trip) and we explore local paths---hoping to do more this year ;D

[fin]

I don't like the idea of the Dr cooks either--their marketing is so aggresive it drives me up the wall, they're so busy insisting ALL bits and ALL other BBs cause pain and that most equine problems are the result of them. The evangelism annoys me--which is a pity because the bridle itself seems to suit a lot of horses....

I voted other because I ride in a sidepull (the dually) or a bosal so I couldn't decide which to vote for!!!

[Cetan + Molly]

I changed to a Dually when starting my horse as I had more control then with a bit. I then brought a Dr Cooks beta bitless bridle which he seemed fine in although I only rode in it a couple of times before he went lame and was turned away, so I don't feel it was really tested properly.
I've started him from scratch again this Autumn and I'm still using the Dually as he's going so well in it, although I'm intending to eventually use the Dr Cooks.

[Lesley from Kent (Floydsmum)]

Hi Sally, thank you ;D He's Welsh Section B x TB.