Bitless Bridle vs Pressure Halter

Island Mist · 11-02-2009, 07:07 PM

Our girl Misty loves to ride, doesn't much love the bit, and responds so well to just a string halter and ropes that my daughter really wants to do more bitless riding. Before I invest in a bitless bridle, what is the advantage of one over a basic pressure halter? My tack store doesn't carry them, so I'd have to order online without ever having seen one.

Thanks,

Laura

kanoo32 · 11-02-2009, 07:15 PM

You should PM Rivervu2 she just got a really nice bitless bridle and does a lot of this type of riding...she could probably offer you a lot of suggestions

bubbleslove · 11-02-2009, 07:16 PM

I'm not sure what you mean by a pressure halter, but I'm assuming that it just means using a regular halter with reins/leadrope-reins.
Basically, the regular halter isn't fitted right - it will move, and won't be in the right position. It could rub her nose, or go into her eyes.
A hackamore or bitless bridle, when used correctly, would be more comfortable and effective. It will sit on her face right, and will put the pressure in the correct areas of her head.
From what I remember of your posts, you have a trainer working with her, right? I'm sure she'd be able to show you how to use one without exerting too much pressure on her jaw or poll. Good luck!

kanoo32 · 11-02-2009, 07:24 PM

Rivervu, just bought a bitless bridle that has different ways that you can connect the reins to it to apply pressure in different points to the horsses face....I believe this is more what you are looking for, not a hackamore.....The one that I saw does a figure eight under the horses chin to apply pressure there and the reins connect for controlling to horse, that would be considered a pressure bridle, I believe.....If you connect the reins to the side it is a side pull....This bridle is very versatile depending on the horses needs and the level of control that you desire, whereas a hackamore would just work one way....

Rivervu can post pics of her bitless bridle, she bought it online and she said that they had more she got it from the UK I believe, it is very nice.

boo_loves_kitty · 11-02-2009, 07:46 PM

You might also look into an 'indian bosal' They aren't quite like the bitless bridle, but similar....and alot cheaper.

Check out this site
http://www.handmadehomestead.com/pro...ng_482565.html

Island Mist · 11-02-2009, 07:47 PM

Thank you very much kanoo32.

Bubbleslove, the string/ pressure halter is different from standard halters, and our horse responds super well to it. Our horse's first name was "Touch" because she responds to touch so well. I want to get something that won't apply a lot of pressure, but will offer my daughter control in all riding situations.

kanoo32 · 11-02-2009, 07:49 PM

You would love the bridle that Rivervu bought, it is exactly what you are looking for, it is beautiful, versatile, well made, and she bought it for a very good price.....

Island Mist · 11-02-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanoo32

You would love the bridle that Rivervu bought, it is exactly what you are looking for, it is beautiful, versatile, well made, and she bought it for a very good price.....

Thank you! Off to email Rivervu.

rivervu2 · 11-02-2009, 08:17 PM

Here I am!

Yes, I did just buy a really nice bitless bridle/halter combo from the UK. My gelding just hates a bit, even a loose ring french link snaffle. I did a lot of research and found that most people like the cross under bridle developed by Dr. Cook. Unfortunately he has the patent in the US which prohibits other manufacturers from importing here, and I think they're expensive for what you get. A good leather Dr. Cook will run you almost $200 without the reins. I also really like the bridle/halter combo for trail riding because you can tie up your horse without untacking but all I found were those using a bit.

I was fortunate to find the best of both worlds on EBay. This bridle can be used as a cross under bitless, a sidepull bitless, a traditional bridle or a halter. Oh, my horse really likes it, it slips on and off without unbuckling and it only cost me $50 US!

Here are a few pics:

On my horse using the cross under bitless

You can see how it crosses under jaw, placing pressure on the poll, jaw and nose

Using the side pull option

Horselady44 · 11-02-2009, 08:30 PM

rivervu2 That is a gorgeous bridle! I really like it. Does your horse seem to respond well with it?

kanoo32 · 11-02-2009, 08:38 PM

Thank you River...for the informative demo

Island Mist · 11-02-2009, 08:42 PM

These look cool. The reviews seem to be all by customers who just received their parcel, not by longtime users. DO you own one? My daugher is a big fan of American Indian horsemanship.

Quote:

Originally Posted by boo_loves_kitty

You might also look into an 'indian bosal' They aren't quite like the bitless bridle, but similar....and alot cheaper.

Check out this site
http://www.handmadehomestead.com/pro...ng_482565.html

rivervu2 · 11-02-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horselady44

rivervu2 That is a gorgeous bridle! I really like it. Does your horse seem to respond well with it?

I've only ridden once but he really responded well. It will take a few rides to really get him used to it but he was much more relaxed than when using a bit.

rivervu2 · 11-02-2009, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanoo32

Thank you River...for the informative demo

Island Mist · 11-02-2009, 08:49 PM

Wow, thanks! Do you jump him in this? It certainly looks like you could. Forgive the "green" question, but when would you opt for the side pulling option?

Your gelding not only has our mare's opinion on bits, but he looks like our Misty, too!

Laura

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivervu2

Here I am!

Yes, I did just buy a really nice bitless bridle/halter combo from the UK. My gelding just hates a bit, even a loose ring french link snaffle. I did a lot of research and found that most people like the cross under bridle developed by Dr. Cook. Unfortunately he has the patent in the US which prohibits other manufacturers from importing here, and I think they're expensive for what you get. A good leather Dr. Cook will run you almost $200 without the reins. I also really like the bridle/halter combo for trail riding because you can tie up your horse without untacking but all I found were those using a bit.

Island Mist · 11-02-2009, 08:53 PM

Has anyone tried this?

http://naturalhorsemanship.wordpress...riding-halter/

rivervu2 · 11-02-2009, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Island Mist

Wow, thanks! Do you jump him in this? It certainly looks like you could. Forgive the "green" question, but when would you opt for the side pulling option?

Your gelding not only has our mare's opinion on bits, but he looks like our Misty, too!

Laura

You can jump using a bitless and a lot of riders do. The cross under puts pressure on the nose, jaw and poll, giving you the most control. The side pull places pressure on the nose. You'd have to ride your horse using the various options to see which method works best for her.

Horselady44 · 11-02-2009, 09:10 PM

What is the brand/model of the bridle you got rivervu2? You got a great deal on it! I wouldnt mind having one similar...just to try on my mare. Just curious

boo_loves_kitty · 11-02-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Island Mist

These look cool. The reviews seem to be all by customers who just received their parcel, not by longtime users. DO you own one? My daugher is a big fan of American Indian horsemanship.

I did buy one a few years ago for a gelding that would sling his head with a bit. He was older and I didn't train him...he wasn't very responsive, so I didn't receive the desired result with him...but used it on an older retired reiner and he responded to it great. I didn't get one from that website, but it looks pretty close to the one I did buy. I don't the a halter would work as well because it has room to slide around. There are tons of indian bosals on ebay too.

Island Mist · 11-02-2009, 10:38 PM

Thank you! My daughter didn't like the way it crossed under the chin, but it looks as if you could cross or uncross it. Would you say that's correct?

Did you just get the attachment piece to put on an existing bridle, or buy the whole bitless bridle set?

Thanks,

Laura

Quote:

Originally Posted by boo_loves_kitty

I did buy one a few years ago for a gelding that would sling his head with a bit. He was older and I didn't train him...he wasn't very responsive, so I didn't receive the desired result with him...but used it on an older retired reiner and he responded to it great. I didn't get one from that website, but it looks pretty close to the one I did buy. I don't the a halter would work as well because it has room to slide around. There are tons of indian bosals on ebay too.

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11-02-2009, 07:07 PM
Island Mist Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 175	Bitless Bridle vs Pressure Halter Our girl Misty loves to ride, doesn't much love the bit, and responds so well to just a string halter and ropes that my daughter really wants to do more bitless riding. Before I invest in a bitless bridle, what is the advantage of one over a basic pressure halter? My tack store doesn't carry them, so I'd have to order online without ever having seen one. Thanks, Laura

11-02-2009, 07:15 PM
kanoo32 Seasoned Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 4,503	You should PM Rivervu2 she just got a really nice bitless bridle and does a lot of this type of riding...she could probably offer you a lot of suggestions __________________ "Animals are such agreeable friends--they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms..." --George Eliot In Loving Memory of Spikey...My Best Friend...I Miss You RIP 1988-2009

11-02-2009, 07:16 PM
bubbleslove Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sunny South Florida Posts: 750	I'm not sure what you mean by a pressure halter, but I'm assuming that it just means using a regular halter with reins/leadrope-reins. Basically, the regular halter isn't fitted right - it will move, and won't be in the right position. It could rub her nose, or go into her eyes. A hackamore or bitless bridle, when used correctly, would be more comfortable and effective. It will sit on her face right, and will put the pressure in the correct areas of her head. From what I remember of your posts, you have a trainer working with her, right? I'm sure she'd be able to show you how to use one without exerting too much pressure on her jaw or poll. Good luck! __________________ Liberty has never come from the government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of it. The history of liberty is a history of resistance. ~Woodrow Wilson in love with my Bubbles boy

11-02-2009, 07:24 PM
kanoo32 Seasoned Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 4,503	Rivervu, just bought a bitless bridle that has different ways that you can connect the reins to it to apply pressure in different points to the horsses face....I believe this is more what you are looking for, not a hackamore.....The one that I saw does a figure eight under the horses chin to apply pressure there and the reins connect for controlling to horse, that would be considered a pressure bridle, I believe.....If you connect the reins to the side it is a side pull....This bridle is very versatile depending on the horses needs and the level of control that you desire, whereas a hackamore would just work one way.... Rivervu can post pics of her bitless bridle, she bought it online and she said that they had more she got it from the UK I believe, it is very nice. __________________ "Animals are such agreeable friends--they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms..." --George Eliot In Loving Memory of Spikey...My Best Friend...I Miss You RIP 1988-2009

11-02-2009, 07:46 PM
boo_loves_kitty Weanling Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Eastern Oklahoma Posts: 333	You might also look into an 'indian bosal' They aren't quite like the bitless bridle, but similar....and alot cheaper. Check out this site http://www.handmadehomestead.com/pro...ng_482565.html __________________ Jai Guru Deva Om

11-02-2009, 07:47 PM
Island Mist Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 175	Thank you very much kanoo32. Bubbleslove, the string/ pressure halter is different from standard halters, and our horse responds super well to it. Our horse's first name was "Touch" because she responds to touch so well. I want to get something that won't apply a lot of pressure, but will offer my daughter control in all riding situations.

11-02-2009, 07:49 PM
kanoo32 Seasoned Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 4,503	You would love the bridle that Rivervu bought, it is exactly what you are looking for, it is beautiful, versatile, well made, and she bought it for a very good price..... __________________ "Animals are such agreeable friends--they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms..." --George Eliot In Loving Memory of Spikey...My Best Friend...I Miss You RIP 1988-2009

11-02-2009, 08:17 PM
rivervu2 Started Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 2,408	Here I am! Yes, I did just buy a really nice bitless bridle/halter combo from the UK. My gelding just hates a bit, even a loose ring french link snaffle. I did a lot of research and found that most people like the cross under bridle developed by Dr. Cook. Unfortunately he has the patent in the US which prohibits other manufacturers from importing here, and I think they're expensive for what you get. A good leather Dr. Cook will run you almost $200 without the reins. I also really like the bridle/halter combo for trail riding because you can tie up your horse without untacking but all I found were those using a bit. I was fortunate to find the best of both worlds on EBay. This bridle can be used as a cross under bitless, a sidepull bitless, a traditional bridle or a halter. Oh, my horse really likes it, it slips on and off without unbuckling and it only cost me $50 US! Here are a few pics: On my horse using the cross under bitless You can see how it crosses under jaw, placing pressure on the poll, jaw and nose Using the side pull option __________________ *"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have."* *Thomas Jefferson*

11-02-2009, 08:30 PM
Horselady44 Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 2,401	rivervu2 That is a gorgeous bridle! I really like it. Does your horse seem to respond well with it? __________________ A happy horse equals a happy rider!

11-02-2009, 08:38 PM
kanoo32 Seasoned Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 4,503	Thank you River...for the informative demo __________________ "Animals are such agreeable friends--they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms..." --George Eliot In Loving Memory of Spikey...My Best Friend...I Miss You RIP 1988-2009

11-02-2009, 08:53 PM
Island Mist Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 175	Has anyone tried this? http://naturalhorsemanship.wordpress...riding-halter/

11-02-2009, 09:10 PM
Horselady44 Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 2,401	What is the brand/model of the bridle you got rivervu2? You got a great deal on it! I wouldnt mind having one similar...just to try on my mare. Just curious __________________ A happy horse equals a happy rider!