Bitless riding is just one of many trends in the equestrian world that aim to offer an alternative from traditional riding equipment. With a variety of options available on the market today here is a list of a few options you may wish to consider when making the switch to bitless riding.
Side pulls
A Side pull bridle mimics the direct rein of a plain snaffle bit, and is designed to encourage the horse to move towards a point of tension. This particular bitless bridle is the best choice for a rider who is still working on developing an independent seat and empathetic hands, along with horses who are trying a bitless bridle for the first time. This bridle is relatively easy to fit, with the rings being positioned just under the facial bones of the horse.
Cross-under
The cross-under bitless bridle works by applying pressure across the horse’s jaw, sides of the head, poll,and nose in an attempt to evenly distribute pressure. This style of bridle gives the rider the opportunity to ride with the whole horse’s head at their fingertips, and only requires a minimal force of pressure to perform basic cues. Although this bridle is often touted as a human and beginner safe mechanism, our program does not recommend this bridle for riders who lack empathetic hands. This bridle should be fitted so that the noseband sits above the cartilage of the horse’s nose as the cartilage is delicate and could cause injury.
Mechanical Hackamore
Unlike the side pull bridle the mechanical hackamore mechanism encourages horses to seek comfort by moving away from pressure. This bitless option is considered a “high leverage” option, and must be ridden with empathy as it has the ability to quickly turn into a harsh and painful experience for your horse. This mechanism has varying degrees of severity which are determined by the length of the arm – the longer the arm the more severe the leverage will be. This style of bitless bridle relies on a rider’s directional aids coming from their seat and legs, and typically revolves around neck reining. This style of bitless bridle is not suited for inexperienced or unempathetic riders who ride with contact, and should not be used on younger horses as they lack lateral movements. Like the cross-under, this bitless bridle is designed to have the noseband sit above the nose’s delicate cartilage.
Bosal
The Bosal is a bitless option which features a basic headstall with a rigid or semi rigid noseband which is often made up of braided rawhide or leather which has a unique set of arms that extend a few inches below the horse’s jaw to join at a point. This bitless option is similar to the mechanical hackamore in the fact it teaches a horse to move away from pressure, and is not a bit for the inexperienced. It has very little breaking power, and can quickly become a harsh alternative when in the wrong hands as it is prone to leaving raw rub wounds, in extreme cases can lead to airway restriction, and even facial fractures when improperly used and fitted due to the stiff nature of the noseband. This bit should be fitted with the noseband sitting above the delicate cartilage of the horse’s nose.