Best Bitless

[bumblesmum]

I am aware that this subject has been covered lots of times but i have someone coming to try my monster horse tomorrow i say monster as he naps. i was thinking about trying him treeless and bitess, cannot afford the treeless just yet but i was thinking about the bitless. how much are they and which are best? he is a heavyweight cob measuring cob/full size in a bridle.
I thought that bitless might be good for him as he would have less reason not to go forward than with a bitted bridle.
Does anyone have any views on this? all advice would be much appreciated. oh and im not going to change the bridle before she comes but just thinking as a possible measure as a late crimbo pressie for him??

[bicky]

Hi Bumblesmum,

I have a heavyweight cob just under 15hh. Fortunately she has no "monster" problems but can get strong sometimes. She has no badness in her at all but gets excited a bit. I did ride her in a myler comfort snaffle but she used to put her head near the ground with it in so I had less control than I would of liked.

I "started" her in a dually headcollar and have rode in this several times so I decided to try her in a Dr Cook's bitless bridle. I am still in the trial period (you get 30 days) and she has been great. I have exactly the same brakes, direction control and no more pulling down with er head cos she has nothing to pull against.

I would encourage you to check out whether your cob has any physical problems that may be causing him to nap. Has his back and teeth been checked? Is it because he is being hacked out alone and would be better in company. I am sure you realise that all this stuff plays a part in his displayed behaviour.

No matter what tack you choose, if he is physically not right the rest won't fall into place.

Also it may be a good idea to do some ground work with him to improve his confidence and gain his trust. I love Richard Maxwell's book "unlock your horses talent in 20 mins a day".

Good luck, if you need any more help please just shout up.

[nonny]

Robinsons sell a "happy wheel" bitless it looks like it might be a bit harsh but i have no experience with bitless. oh that was a bit useless eh? dont libbys do them? otherwise it is a bit but a mikmar is supposed to be really mild isnt it? dont know how it works but maybe someone on here does?

[bumblesmum]

Hi bicky, he has had his back and teeth checked, he is sound, how much is the dr cooks?i like the idea of 30 day trial... He will actually nap in company and even on the way home. we have ever really clicked which is why i am looking for a sharer for him, we have done lots f good things together and he is more than able just really stubborn. I think i will look into richard maxwells book, it sounds good - i might have a talented horse by the end of it!! hehe! i love him to bits but really want him to have a better quality of life than that of a lawnmower, he is sweet, should i try riding in the dually? is it safe?sorry about all the questions but i wants a happy horse! i would love to go happy hacking maybe even pop a jump...one day...
i have looked at the happy wheel nonny, thanks but like you i know nothing about the severity and want him to have every reason to go forwards.
all suggestions and advice welcomed!

[bumblesmum]

I have just been on bitlessbridle.co.uk and think that the beta measurements are most likely to suit my boy but his measurements for headstall is 41inches and his noseband is 27 inches
a cobination apparently not available, hes too chunky!!! i will try to phone them but noone will be there till at least weds with new year and all. does anywhere else do these bridles maybe with different measurements?

[bumblesmum]

jsut thinking whats the deal with a hackamore?

[berylsmum]

I don't know about other types of bitless bridle but I also have a Dr Cook for my chunky cob. Beryl really likes it and is much more relaxed and responsive in it. If you don't like it you can return it within 30 days and get your money back.

[sooleo]

bumblesmum said:

I have just been on bitlessbridle.co.uk and think that the beta measurements are most likely to suit my boy but his measurements for headstall is 41inches and his noseband is 27 inches
a cobination apparently not available, hes too chunky!!! i will try to phone them but noone will be there till at least weds with new year and all. does anywhere else do these bridles maybe with different measurements?

Sheila at BitlessBridle will have a Dr Cook to fit him! We use one on our 16.1 Sec D, my daughter has serious back problems and he was leaning on her in a bit. He has been wonderful in it.. the change is quite spectacular. I cannot reccomend them highly enough.

My only complaint ( :-) ) is that they are such a logical idea I cannot understand why they have not been available for years!!!

[laura]

sheila will be able to customise one size wise for bumble

[bicky]

Hi Bumblesmum,

The Dr Cooks bitless bridle price range is from £50 - £100+ depending which material you choice. You can mix and match the headstall sizes with the noseband sizes. I have a medium headstall in the Beta (leather look) and a large noseband. Sheila is a lovely lady and very helpful.

The Hackamore can be severe and has lots of poll pressure, I prefer the Dr Cooks (just my choice)

As you will know with cobs you have to ask them to do something not tell. People do tend to think they are all easy going but that is not the case. My mare can be highly talented one minute then appears to completely forget the next. They are what you call an on-going project. I like that idea really. LOL

Where abouts in the country are you, if you want to email me to talk more I would be happy to do that. If I can help you I will (just gone through the "starting" process myself with Kinzzy) and I have learnt loads. Take care, he sounds a lovely boy. Cobs rule !!!!

[horselady]

I have a dr cooks on both our horses, TB/X and Cob, both go very well in them, had probs with TB but no more since I bought this bridle, I have now ordered the western bridle in December, and waiting for it, also thinking of ordering the matching reins to, they are in on 18th January it says.
I hope the bridle hurries up, as was xmas present, now gone to birthday present, and guess he isn't going to have it on time for birthday either.
He doesn't know he is getting it, and keeps going on about ordering one, had to tell kids not to order him one, and make excuses, good job he is no good at computers, carn't turn one on.

[scaredycat]

I have a Dr Cooks for my TBx - the beta version. I love it. He goes much better in the bitless than he ever did with a bit. He used to object to having his bridle put on but since I changed he even lowers his head for me - something he'd never ever do before.

He too is a monster - naps quite severly. I've had him checked thoroughly and he's in no pain or discomfort. Although the bridle hasn't helped with his napping (its down to his lack of confidence and insecurities) I do feel I have much better control of him and I'm not worried about hurting his mouth if I have to turn him in tight circles (when he's playing up).

[jinks]

I have a english pattern hackamore and my horse does not like its action at all. I also have an american bosal he is fine also with the sidepull he is fine.