Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Bridles, Bits, Bosals -- and Hackamores, Too

I thought I would talk a little today about where we are on how we communicate with our horses, Gletta and Morgunn. When we first brought them home to live with us we were using the traditional bridle with a metal bit. Over time with the assistance of our trainer we tried different bits and they worked reasonably well. We didn't have any problems getting Gletta and Morgunn to take their bit, but Gletta particularly would 'mouth' her bit all the time while Betty was riding her.

About two years ago I started researching the idea of bitless communication. There is the traditional bosal, a tear-drop shaped piece of tack, usually made of rawhide, that goes over the horse's nose. The reins are attached to the bottom of the bosal. A bosal is often used with young horses before a bit is introduced to them. Here's a picture of a horse (not ours) wearing a bridle and bosal...

Another traditional, non-bit item is the hackamore (sometimes spelled hackimore). This is a mechanical device that again goes over the nose, but uses metal shanks to create pressure on the nose. Here's a picture of a horse in a hackamore...


The third traditional non-bit item is the side-pull. This is a bridle where the reins attach directly to the side and it allows a direct pull from each rein. Here's a picture of a horse (again not ours) wearing a side pull bridle...

A little over a year ago we finally decided to go with a bitless bridle similar to the side-pull bridle. However, instead of a direct pull as in the side-pull, our reins are attached to a leather strap that goes under the horses chin. When we pull the right rein, the pressure is applied to the left side of the horse's head instead of the right side as with a side-pull. This bridle was developed by a vet named Dr. Cook. We have almost a year's experience with both horses and we're very happy with the results. Both Gletta and Morgunn are just as responsive as they were with the bit, but they both seem much more relaxed with this bitless bridle. Here's a picture of each of them with their bitless bridles on...



So, that's probably a whole lot more than you ever wanted to know about bitless bridles.

15 comments:

TjandMark/AKA PearlandHawkeye said...

Dan, I totally liked this post.I have started one horse with a side pull and liked and I have also used a bosal some on my mustang and it really helped him be more collected. Most of the time though, I still use a simple snaffle on all of our horses. It is direct and not as easy for unsteady hands to seriously hurt their mouths. I hate mechanical hackamores, because in the wrong hands, they can be very harsh and they are not direct, but work on leverage. I am really interested in the bitless bridle. It looks like it might be very effective. I will have to do some research and maybe get one to try. Oh, I rattle on. There is my horse craziness coming out. I could talk horses all day.

The Wades said...

Who knew??!! You are a wealth of knowledge!

It feels so good to be able to read blogs again. Hey, how bout double posting since I have more time now? ;) love ya

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post as I just bought my first Dr Cook's Bitless Bridle last month for my own horse.

She was in a hackamore when I started taking riding lessons on her and she rides easy in just a halter.
In a bridle with a snaffle she shakes and pulls her head, mouths the bit, and is a little 'bucky' at first. She will accept it if she has to, but she is much better without the bit.

It's really great to read about other's first hand experiences with the Bitless and I'm excited to read that it's working so well for you and yuor horses.

Anonymous said...

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The Wades said...

Dan, I had this particular post alerted to tell me if you got any new comments on it. Not sure why, but I did. I think it is neat seeing a person comment on this post two years after the fact.

Aren't you glad I whined and cried for you to leave this old blog?? ;)

And thanks for the bitless bridle information in the first place. I know Max LOVES them!

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