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Post by helendh123 on Jan 9, 2013 15:03:36 GMT 1
Hi I'm thinking of purchasing a bitless bridle and really just wondered what people thought. I am looking at the dr cook one. At the mo I just usually ride in a rope halter which my horse seems so much more relaxed in. If I go out on the roads etc he currently wears a myler snaffle (with no noseband) which he does not object to in the slightest but is definitely not as relaxed. All thoughts appreciated
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Post by marychick on Jan 9, 2013 16:51:34 GMT 1
I've never ridden in a Dr Cook Bridle but it obviously will have very different action than a rope halter. Could you borrow one first to see if he's happy in it? Or perhaps you could try something with a side pull action instead? He may find that easier to understand if he's used to being ridden in a rope halter?
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Post by specialized on Jan 9, 2013 17:13:59 GMT 1
There have been a number of past threads on this topic, perhaps a search through would help. You will find that Dr Cook is like marmite, the horses love them or hate them - ours hated the squeeze on the nose and slow release of pressure. We prefer a straightforward sidepull or an s-hackamore for bitless.
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Post by nagsequestrian on Jan 9, 2013 19:01:45 GMT 1
I agree with Specialized, some more horses love crosspulls, some don't I have used crosspulls on a few of my horses, they started ok and I even took my ex racer hunting in a Dr Cook, but they soon learnt to lean into the pressure. My youngster hated the squeezing action of the Crosspulls and Scawbrigs. I vary my horses now between rope halters/hackamores, hackamores (english, LG and S) and sidepulls.
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Post by sandy on Jan 9, 2013 19:20:55 GMT 1
I think you can trial a Dr Cook. Yep found the link www.bitlessbridle.co.uk/I use a Dr Cooks bridle and have never had any problems or I ride in the dually.
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Post by gilly on Jan 9, 2013 20:49:25 GMT 1
Dr Cooks definitely worth a try. Ginger and I love ours!
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Post by floydsmum (aka LesleyfromKent) on Jan 9, 2013 20:50:44 GMT 1
Floyd goes much better in his Dr Cooks. I even drive him in it. Sadly not allowed to compete in it but I'm going to go for a lesson with my carriage driving coach so she can assess us as 'safe' so I can go to all the training camps etc and drive in it.
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Post by jes on Jan 9, 2013 21:31:10 GMT 1
I use a simple sidepull bridle on my mare. It's a Barefoot Amber with a soft rope noseband and horsehair tassels! She goes really well in it and is very responsive.
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Post by usst8s on Jan 9, 2013 22:30:35 GMT 1
I came across a bitless bridle on the internet it is called the matrix and by altering the straps it can be changed from one style of bitless bridle to another so you can use whichever type suits your horse best eg cross under, side pull, bosal etc. I have never used one but it maybe worth a look, see www.bitlessandbarefoot.com/bitless-bridles.php
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