Well, it is interesting how you received so much education on other types of non-bitting methods in response to your post! Nash had a chunk missing from his tongue when he came to me. I rode in a snaffle and/or halter for a couple of years (he was 3). He always fiddled and pulled against the snaffle, and I wondered if the nerves in his tongue were sensitive from whatever injury (probably a twisted wire snaffle used by a trainer) caused it. I read about the Bitless Bridle (Dr. Cook's) and researched just about every other type of bitless, including bosals, hackamores, and that other one on RFDTV that I can't think of. I decided on Dr. Cook's version, and love it. Nash backs easily, doesn't pull against me, and seems much happier. He will collect with it, and you can stop and tie with it when out on a trail. Unfortunately, Ranch Horse Versatility Shows require that you use a bit, so we are using the Rockin'J (or Rockin' R)snaffle when required. So there is my 2 BITS worth. ;-) But then, I am also the one who bought a sinker who 3 vets said to put down, sold my house and quit my job to nurse him back to health, went through 5 years of shoes and bad hooves before finding someone to do the Barefoot Mustang Roll and his hoof walls and soles have never been stronger. He is on a low sugar diet as a result of my research 6 years ago, and thank God, the mainstream horse folks are finally catching on to overfeeding of sugar vs. protein as a cause for founder. Oops, got WAY off the topic myself, didn't I? Anyway, I love my Bitless Bridle, love riding bareback, love my barefooted previously foundered horse. Guess my point is that traditional "Western" and even English methods don't work that well for me. I prefer the Native American traditional methods - didn't they go bareback, barefoot, and baremouthed? Worked for them. Now you guys know why I rarely write much on this boards, I can't stop once I start! Sorry, but hope I answered your question, Tina. Ride on! Liza

You know me, wanna....I'm always looking for some...with good cowgirl humor to smile about ! Keep riding and enjoy ! :)

LOL Justa.... No, I like the saddle part but thanks for your input!!! LOL

If you feel too sorry for your horse to put a bit in his mouth .... then you must feel reallllyyyyy bad to throw a saddle on him and climb aboard....he's probably thinking....I'd like to get this freaking load off my back ! lol Don't you wonder ?

One last comment....The Bosal is a beginning point in training a colt. After a year or two with the Bosal, then the colt is two reined, that is, a bit is placed in the horses mouth to be carried without pressure and the Bosal and horsehair reins are still used. A California style bit is used with rawhide reins with buttons and a romal. The reins are attached to the bit with rein chains. The chains protect the reins from water and provide a weak link to the bit which will break if the rains or the bit are fouled. Finally, after the colt is entirely comfortable with the bit, the Bosal reins are removed and the Bosal is replaced with a Bosalito, a Bosal with a very thin body, sometimes known as a "Pencil Bosal". It is placed under the bit bridle. The Bosalito is used with a "let down rope", something to tie the horse with, like a lead rope but it is tied around the horses neck with a Bowlin knot. A finished horse is "straight up" in the bit, meaning he is flexed at the poll and his head is vertical or nearly vertical in relationship with the ground. The bit is generally a Spade with a very high port, the bars are copper wound, and rollers. A Spade Bit in heavy hands or used on an untrained horse would without doubt be cruel and very problematic. But, the old timers would take five, six, or seven years to bring a colt into the bit and so the result was a fine mount that was responsive to a very light and non-invasive hand. The Vaquero tradition of horsemanship came from Spain and it came to Spain from the Moors who brought their Arab horses from Africa. So, the tradition of the Bosal is very, very old and without question, the Vaqueros were some of the very finest horsemen the world has ever seen. In my opinion, a Bosal is the best option for training a young horse but some horses are funny about the pressure on the nose and so then a snaffle might work better. I looked at the information on the "bitless bridle" and I found it very interesting. I can't imagine why it wouldn't work swell, but, some of the claims made in the ad I thought were a bit exaggerated. Still, the point is a comfortable horse is much easier to get along with than one that is anxious because of intrusive or uncomfortable gear. Personally, I like the old time methods; they were tried and proven by folks who were absolutely dependent on a good mount. I've been using the Bosal for 20 plus years now and am still an amature. What I know of their use I've discovered first hand. I sure wish that when I was a youngster I'd paid more attention to the methods of some of the old timers. There is a group in California, I think they call themselves the Californios, who continue the traditions and methods of the Vaquero. Anyhow, Best Wishes, Fremont

so true! so many differant approachs.. I think its funny also becuase all I was doing was saying the site for the "bitless bridle " I thought she was referrring to since that was the name of it.( IM thinking now she meant anything without a bit)I forget some havent even heard of it. I wasnt saying correct or uncorrect.. I dont even ride in one.lol but i might try a Bosal on my young 4 yr old paint. hes very sensetive in the mouth .sounds like a great idea actually.we all come from differant angles, right nor wrong.. just gave the site information as I stated In EACH post.. and my thought of it. who knew posting a web site would cause so much controversy .

OK heres my 2 cents worth. I've been watching and kinda laughing to. Folks keep in mind what works for one is't always the same rule for the other. A couple of years ago manyponies showed me her invention on the bitless theory, kind of a bosel and mech all in one, she hasn,t used a bit in over 20 years.These are all hand made for the horse, and a real sweet thing, Those where some of the best colts to work with, no fear of pain. I don't know if she's still a member but her web if pdiamondj.com ask her bout her thoughts on em. Hos

Yes we dont use the bitless at all,we hack in Halters sometime..lol .. but knew about it and posted the link.. the sidepulls seem like a good idea.. especially for reschooling . I dont know but sounds like a good idea. good luck though wanna and hope it all works out.

Well, thank you all for your comments. As I've only had a horse for a short period of time, and pretty new to this lifestyle (3 years or so) I just felt bad for the horse. I hate putting a bit in his mouth, and if it was me, I'd be like, get this freakin metal thing out of my mouth!! LOL I just found out there was such a thing as the bitless bridle, but really wanted to hear the pros and cons about it. Does it do the same job in an adult horse? Is it better? Is it worse? I'm not starting my horse, he was a racehorse for years (then didn't want to race any longer) and was donated to a ranch for therapudic riding, and I share him with the disabled kids. So I want to make him as comfortable as I can when we ride. Thanks again for your thoughts!!!! -Tina

singlefilly, i agree--difference in a hackamore (jicama, bosal, mechanical hack) and a bitless bridle. sidepull? that is my choice. never progressed my mare pass that as she whoaed with the word and the shifting of my weight. she is highly responsive even at 16 and still in her sidepull. keeps her mouth comfortable when folks are learning to ride on her. we always started the young ones in a "bitless" piece since teething age coinsides with training age. but then i have never schooled jumpers or the sort who might use the light bit contact for balance. in reschooling racehorses, getting the bit out of their mouth seemed to reinforce the message that we are not "racing". so many different styles of equipment and disciplines and yet we can all agree on the beauty and passion of this magnificent expression of God's love and design. have a blessed weekend.