Posted 2014-05-10 10:36 AM Subject: I would like to try bitless - now what lol
Veteran
Posts: 185
I've been wondering about trying bitless with my new barrel horse. He currently goes in a sweet iron d-ring snaffle. Just been patterning him and he canters/breezes the pattern pretty well. He is a hot boy tho. Just wondering if there is a better way.
I know nothing about bitless - what should I start with?
Posted 2014-05-10 2:37 PM Subject: RE: I would like to try bitless - now what lol
Forever Young
Posts: 6768 Location: relocated to Texas
What makes you think you want to go bitless? Don't change something that is working for change sake. Some horses run good in a hackamore. Truth is, most get to pushing on them and the horse loses collection, and/or the rider has little or no control. If your horse is hot, select a bit that he will respect. Work on lighter hands, the bit is only as severe as the hands that are controlling it. Have enough bit that will give you control in case you do need it.
Posted 2014-05-12 1:18 AM Subject: RE: I would like to try bitless - now what lol
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 540 Location: My own little world :)
I for one think it is a great idea to try new things! In my opinion I want to expose my horses to many different kind of bits and set ups. Now that doesn't mean that I'm going to take them and make a run immediately in each bit but I think for training and tuning purposes you and your horse can learn a lot using different bits. Honestly if I think my horses are going to be wild and crazy I will often trail ride them in just a halter...partly because I think it gives them a break but probably partly because I'm kinda lazy ;) If I were you I would just start with trying riding in a halter in a round pen or small enclosed pen and then go from there. With my old mare I used a smooth snaffle for tuning and just riding in a halter many days then I moved her into an S shank hack and she worked awesome! Good Luck!!
I would like to try bitless - now what lol
