Horseworld Going bitless Horseworld Bitless

Going bitless can improve a ’s way of going

Less is more Discover why riders and trainers are fans of bitless bridles, which they say can be more comfortable for the horse, improve communication and resolve behavioural issues

ome essential kit is required if you this tack option can change a horse’s way of However, she says most often riders tend plan to go for a ride – a hard hat going and his attitude to work. to reach for a different, and maybe stronger, and safe footwear for yourself, and that back off are said to go forward, if they are experiencing a problem. a , and for your and those that resist the contact may be more “If a rider puts a horse into a situation horse. There is also one other item likely to work in a relaxed outline. he can’t cope with, his response is to run Sthat a lot of riders would reach for, but many Plus, it removes the risk of the bit banging, away,” she states. “The rider then thinks they think you should do without – a bit. pinching or bruising the horse’s mouth. can’t control the horse, or that the horse is Bitless bridles are growing in popularity, with According to equine behaviourist Justine dangerous, so they reach for a stronger bit or riders ditching the mouthpiece for a variety of Harrison: “Bitless bridles are incredibly useful tighter . reasons, including horse welfare and comfort. for horses undergoing rehabilitation, or “There could be many reasons that the They say a horse or in a those that have physical issues which make it horse decides to run – he may be scared or is more relaxed and responsive, and believe painful for them to have a bit in the mouth.” in pain, which need addressing, but you also need to consider whether the bit is causing the problem in the first place. The horse could Many horses are actually be happier and safer to ride in a happier when ridden bitless bridle.” in a bitless bridle A key reason many people don’t go bitless is because you are not allowed to compete in or many showing classes. “You don’t have to go bitless all the time, so why not give the horse a rest from the bit when hacking out or for some schooling sessions?” suggests Justine. “You can then use a bit when you want to compete.”

Give riders the choice Justine is one of a group of horse lovers who have launched a campaign, A Bit More Choice, that is calling for equality for riders who want to go bitless. “We are raising awareness of the benefits of bitless bridles, and contacting competition bodies and organisations to ask them to consider making rule changes to allow riders to compete bitless,” Justine says. “This is not a campaign to replace or criticise the use of bits, but we want riders to have a choice be able to compete on an equal footing. “Some horses are struggling in bits, so their riders strap their mouths shut when competing in dressage. Why shouldn’t these horses be 4 allowed to compete in bitless bridles?”

48 AUGUST 2016 www.horsemagazine.co.uk www.horsemagazine.co.uk AUGUST 2016 49 Horseworld Bitless bridles Horseworld Bitless bridles Research different bitless bridles to find the right one for your horse How to go bitless l In a safe, enclosed area, your Types of bitless bridle If your horse is exhibiting signs of a horse and ask him to stop, turn on each If you are considering going bitless, behavioural issue, or is unhappy in his and back up. Start by using the here are some of the popular mouth, have him checked out by a vet and/ gentlest pressure you can, and release it bridles that you could try:- or equine dental technician. Also have the immediately he does what you ask. fit of his saddle and bridle checked. l Once in the saddle, practise what you Orbitless “Sometimes, even a change of [bitted] did on the ground. At first, you can ride Ideal for most bridle can help a horse – different bridles with the bitless bridle underneath your horses at any level exert pressure on different areas of the current bridle. This means you can pick up of training, this head, and they don’t suit every horse,” the of your bitted bridle if you need attachment can advises Justine Harrison. “Or, change your some extra confidence or control. be fitted to your noseband to a normal cavesson so his l Start in walk and only increase the pace existing cheek pieces mouth isn’t strapped shut. when you feel confident to do so. to convert it into a If you would like to go bitless, Justine l If, at any time, the horse starts to fidget bitless bridle. It exerts offers some tips to help get you started:- or become stressed, stop what you are nose, poll and curb l Research different bitless bridles to doing and go back a step. pressure, but the amount and where find one that’s suitable for your horse or l If you are worried about being able to pressure is focused can be altered, pony. Borrow one if possible – or, some stop, give your horse a voice command depending on the position of the retailers allow you to try before you buy to stop, at the same time as applying ellipses and how the reins are fastened (for example, www.orbitlessbridle.co.uk pressure on the reins and immediately to it. The Orbitless is good for training as and www.bitlessbridle.com). give a food treat once you have halted. it offers an instant pressure release. l The bridle may feel very different to l Ensure you are confident in an arena your horse, so allow him to get used to it before hacking out. For your first few hacks Side pull from the ground. go out with calm, confident company. This noseband can be made of rope or leather, and reins attach to the of the horse. A huge number of horses can Pressure and release Wendy, Justine and Johanna are all quick to noseband. It is an be positively changed by switching to a bitless The good news for riders is there are many point out that while going bitless has benefits, instant pressure- bridle, and the evidence is constantly building.” different types of bitless bridle to try (see the tack has to be comfortable for the horse, release bridle that Johanna, however, states that it isn’t always box, right). One option, the Orbitless – which basic training must be in place and the rider is suitable for most just the bit – or a lack of one – that has an is a nosepiece you add to your current bridle must use the equipment correctly. horses. However, it influence on the horse. – was designed by Wendy Wainwright when “Some people worry about not having only has one setting. “Whatever bridle you use, the key is the she was trying to find a suitable option for a control, but control comes from training,” horse’s training and the rider’s ability to sensitive mare that had been badly started says Wendy. “Control is not mouth based, Enduro communicate with him. Lots of bitted before she got her. and is about being able to use your body and When you’re horses are ridden very well and achieve “The day I tried her in a bitless bridle, she weight aids effectively. established riding Horse editor Jo rides a lot of success. stopped fighting and started listening,” said “As you would when riding in a bit, you take bitless you can her mare Betsy in an “But there are horses that are struggling in Wendy. “I rode her in a bitless bridle, a contact, and you give and release move on to this Orbitless bridle a bit, and I see this as a welfare issue.” but I wanted something that when the horse softens to bridle which offers She says that riders don’t pay enough allowed any pressure to release you. If you keep on with the more refinement. attention to their horses’ mouths, and if instantly, so I came up with DIDyou contact, the horse will lean It features a knot “Removing the bit often leads to huge improvements bruising from a bit does occur, it is likely to the design for the Orbitless.” on the bitless bridle, as he that moves up and go unnoticed. Wendy believes interest would lean on a bit. touches the horse under the chin when in a horse’s behaviour” JUSTINE HARRISON, EQUINE BEHAVIOURIST “Bits rest on the bars of the mouth – this is in going bitless is growing, KNOW “Every bitless bridle the reins are used, and provides instant The Royal Dutch Equestrian the most sensitive part of the horse’s mouth,” as word gets round to more works by applying pressure release. The Enduro is great to Federation allows bitless Johanna continues. “Not every rider has light riders about the difference pressure, whether that’s ride in if you and your horse are looking bridles to be worn up to and A fellow member of A Bit More Choice’s heavy in the hand or who toss their heads. hands, but do they look into their horse’s they can make. to the nose, the poll or for equipment that is lightweight, including its ‘middle’ campaign team is Johanna Macarthur. Johanna I’ve also had experience of bitless bridles mouth after he has been ridden to check if “There are so many the side of the face. There designed for finesse and riding using level of competition. has been a fan of bitless bridles for 16 years. improving horses that were exhibiting there is any bruising? Nobody does that.” benefits,” she says. “They is pressure somewhere, but the lightest suggestion. “I bred a horse and when I went to back headshaking behaviour.” Many riders may dismiss bitless as they can solve specific problems that of varying degrees. her, everything I put in her mouth caused Johanna is training and membership don’t see how you can control a horse without are caused by discomfort from the bit “For me, the release of pressure Dr Cook’s an allergic reaction – her whole mouth blew secretary of Norfolk & something in his mouth. – such as leaning on the bit or snatching is key, as the horse knows he has done the The bridle was up,” she says. “I tried a bitless bridle and have Club, where members are “Ninety eight per cent of horses will be – and I believe it gives you a better way of right thing.” developed by a vet, never looked back. encouraged to ride bitless. The club’s training handled on the ground in a headcollar, and communicating with your horse. Dr Robert Cook and “Since then, I have worked with a lot of horses is based on learning theory and aims to ensure that’s essentially a bitless bridle,” responds “It can improve the relationship between “Four out of my nine horses has two cross-under that had behavioural problems and I realised basic yet essential skills are developed. Johanna. “I believe that you should establish you, as a bitless bridle is not based on can’t be ridden in a bit” straps. The rider can many of the issues they were exhibiting could “A lot of people who join have youngsters control on the ground, and then follow the something that can cause potential harm. Rachel Stock is also lobbying competition apply pressure to be easily remedied by using a bitless bridle. and we have members who were experiencing same principles in the saddle.” “Some horses become dead to the bit bodies and societies in a bid to get them to the whole head for “I have seen huge changes achieved in a difficulties with their horses and needed Johanna says club members are willing to and don’t listen to the rider. There is such a accept bitless bridles at affiliated shows. stopping, or half the head lot of horses. It can change horses that are help. We use methods that do not promote travel to anywhere in the UK with its bitless different feeling in a bitless bridle, that horses As well as making calls and writing letters for turning. strong and forward going, those that are conflict and do not compromise the health ‘interactive demo’ – contact the club for details. soon start responding better.” and emails, Rachel is out there proving to 4

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CASE STUDY people that her bitless horses and can hold their own – and even outperform “We rehabilitate horses that would – bitted competitors. otherwise have been put down” “I want people to have the choice of competing bitless, if they want to,” says Sue Carr runs ‘Jigsaw’, a riding Rachel, from Derbyshire. “Some horses have and rehabilitation centre in Lancashire All of Jigsaw’s horses physical problems that mean they can’t be (visit: www.equinextra.com). are ridden bitless ridden in a bit, while others are unhappy or “We rehabilitate horses that would uncomfortable in a bit. otherwise have been put down and give “Four out of my nine horses can’t be ridden them a job to do,” says Sue. “Our other aim in a bit. If we didn’t ride them bitless, they is to educate people about horse welfare would be sat in a field doing nothing.” and best practice, and we specialise in Rachel – who has several rescue horses and working with children with autism.” ponies – first tried a bitless bridle in 2012. Jigsaw takes an holistic approach to “I have an Arab who is a rescue and horse care and riding. Sue, who is a the dentist found a lump in his mouth BHSAI, uses classical training methods which would make a bit uncomfortable,” when teaching people to ride. she says. “I phoned a friend for advice and All of the centre’s eight horses are she said I should go bitless – I nearly fell off ridden in bitless bridles. my chair laughing! “When I set up Jigsaw 15 years ago, I “I’m pretty open minded, so I thought I wanted to run something that was better would have a go and tried him in a simple than the average yard,” says Sue. “We rope . Hand on heart, there was an started using bitless bridles seven years instant change. ago after a friend told me about the “This horse had previously reared up and Dr Cook bridle. I still use this type of taken 45 minutes to get a [bitted] bridle on – bridle as it works for my horses. “Not all horses can since riding him bitless, I never had a problem “For me, the main benefit of bitless cope with a bit and he has gone on to win numberous is that horses that have had mouth in their mouth” showjumping championships. problems in the past don’t have to cope “He has been ridden in a scawbrig bridle, with having a bit in their mouth. although I use a range of different bitless “I find horses stretch into the outside bridles with my horses.” contact better. One dressage rider who Rachel, whose daughter been placed at came to use our centre’s mechanical Equifest while riding bitless, in a rescue horse horse became interested in trying her class, says she will continue to lobby for horse bitless – she reported back that he change and reports that she has already had can do a canter pirouette better without some positive responses. a bit in his mouth. “I’m hoping at least one showing society will “As long as the rider is using the bridle agree to allow bitless bridles, as a trial,” she correctly, a horse can go in a more says. “Watch this space.” g relaxed outline. Bitless bridles work on pressure and release, and you need to be aware of that in order to use them in the right way.”

Sue was introduced to bitless by Katy Moriarty of Sea View Equestrian, Co Kerry, Ireland Rachel is lobbying for a change to competition rules

Contacts l www.abitmorechoice.org; l www.horsetrainingclub.org (Norfolk Horse Training and Equitation Club) l www.orbitlessbridle.co.uk; l www.equinebehaviourist.co.uk (Justine Harrison).

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