Julebar, I've never met Frank Bell in person, but a friend, Denny Taylor (www.dthorsealliance.com) is the "fastest tracked" certified Frank Bell trainer, and he came with a group of his friends from Indiana last June to join with other mutual friends to help me build things last June, so that is how I know of Frank and how I receive his e-mail notices. Denny studied the methods and philosophies of all the trainers he could before he made his decision to go with Frank Bell's "Gentle Solution" methods. Frank's methods seemed to blend easily with methods of training Denny had been using for the past 40+ years. As has been mentioned, any piece of tack can be cruel if not fitted correctly, used correctly, or if the horse hasn't been trained to its use. After a life-long dream of training horses for a living, Denny, in his 50s, has embarked on an exciting new journey.

thank you holly for your kind words----been a long journey from "used to do" to "can't remember what to do" to "do what i can do"!!!! my horses are far more forgiving of "brain glitches" than anything else in my life!!! for me--i feel the less comfort zone a horse is looking for the more his focus is on what he needs to be looking for. nothing is more rewarding than seeing the lite bulb look replace the confused or troubled look in a horses eyes and knowing that the great sigh of "i've got it" is fixing to happen!!! well----a neonate kitten choosing to live and grabbing ahold of that bottle comes close--LOL--the life God gives is so precious when we give it all to Him first!!!! stay blessed!!!! p.s. used to follow frank bell's doings quite a bit----did not know he was still doing all that......it figures that he would be supportive of this!!!! have a great admiration for him and his ways!!!

Julebar, You may not be a trainer in the professional sense, but you are obviously a good trainer when you do train . . . and that means more, in my eyes, than someone who does it professionally, but forces the horse and refuses to hear or doesn't have the intelligence to hear what the horses are saying. :)

my penny's worth---if you are blessed enough to be there from day one----get them handled from the ground and let them learn "whoa" and "back" while they are young. i like o-rings or sidepulls----like the idea of being out of the mouth while permanent teeth are coming in and have found the responsiveness of several of mine much more sensitive (or maybe knowing i do not have a bit in the mouth i might be sitting better giving off clearer signals)----but again, depending on the job the horse is being ask to do only the rider (trainer) can really determine what kind of gear to use with what type of bit. all headgear of any discipline can be harsh if the rider/handler's got a harsh hand. was told the reason i could stop a particular horse with a halfbreed sidepull that i had been told would only whoa with a mechanical hack was because i did not run him wide open----i simply could see no reason to do that with a horse that was not "trained" to a good whoa. he can now be shut down with a halter from a good lope----but, IMHO, it is also about what my butt and legs are telling him as much as what is on his face----i am no trainer--but he is going to make a good ride. i am all for being able to compete in whatever gear a rider wants to and if he/she can get the response and moves, the competition calls for, in a bitless rig----then i agree with the petition.

When I'm working, training and showing...I use a bit on both Willie and Charlie. But, when I go trail riding, I use a bosal. My coach and I have been doing this for a number of years now. Many that ride with us have started to do the same thing. Now, we're not running or working the horses, just out for a 6-7 hour stroll and the horses love it, they know its their day off too. They both won't eat with a bit in their mouths, but eat with the bosal on, they enjoy the "trail buffet"..LOL. I've never tired a "bitless bridle", tried a side pull once and Willie didn't like it at all. I think it all depends on the horse and what you're doing with it. Showed Charlie in a bosal his last junior year and did very well, but when doing the "tune-up" before his classes, we put a bit on him. Some of the english horses around here would kill someone if they rode them in a bosal or a bitless bridle, they're just plain not trained. Well..my 2 cents worth...good luck! Annie

I believe riding with a bitless bridle is as safe or safer than riding with a bit. I own two horses and ride them both with bitless brdiles. They don't toss their heads around and to be honest I have found I actaully have more control using it. They where both trainer using a bit, but the transition from bit to bitles was quick and easy. I think all disciplines should allow them. Ke.

I am right with you, Rancher. I do think that if the bitless system were allowed in competitions that more horses would be trained with them. The horse population as a whole could use less "hauling on the mouth". You and Evelyn, I think, have the right idea. It's all about creating that bond of trust with the horse. I really believe that a bitless system helps in that regard. Pattie CoLady

Colady, I would not in any circumstance suggest anyone riding a horse trained to a bit, take off across a pasture without one. But should they not be required by show groups and by 'always done it that way' riders, young horses would more likely be given the opportunity to behave and perform without one. And even then there are likely some horses that could not be controlled with out one. I am as guilty as the rest in that I have a couple of bitless rigs but I also have about 20 bits hanging in the barn and most of the time I use the bits.

Well Rancher, I have run a mild search for the argument against the Bitless Bridle and cannot find an actual quote or post anywhere. The site promoting the Bitless bridle says that USEF negative comments are that the horse cannot be "on the bit" if there is not one. Which is rather silly as a horse that is "on the bit" is a horse that is fully collected and balanced. This shows how well the horse is trained and how well the horse and rider communicate. This can occur using a bitless bridle system and the proper training techniques. This is not for you, Rancher, but I do feel the need to add... As a side note... Warmbloods are well known for their sweet gentle natures and amiability while training. I am signing this petition. Because I feel that anyone who has accomplished training a true "dancer" deserves to compete. BUT...anyone looking at using a bitless system, please do so with a lot of thought! Many, Many horses can go bitless with great success, but there are those that simply cannot. My little grey mare is one that cannot. She is all about go and stop is a word that she just does not like to hear! I have a good seat and can stay with a horse and I know that circles beat the "no" in stopping. I was able to gain control of my horse. But an inexperienced rider would not have that kind of advantage and could get hurt. So, folks please pay attention to your horses and don't go bitless all at once. Pattie CoLady

I would like to hear the other side of the discussion, the one that wants to require a bit. I have always believed the least restrictive gear you put on a horses head and still ride safely and effectively is the way it should be done. I also think the horse world has far to many who hold forth "we have always done it this way" and they simply can't bring themselves to accept positive change.