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Explaining & Understanding Bitless Bridles, Hackamores, Rope Halters & Benefits For The Horse
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- čas přidán 16. 07. 2017
- #thinklikeahorse #ItIsNeverTheHorsesFault Showing the difference between Bitless bridles and different riding systems. Discussing the Pros and Cons to bitless, rope halters, hackamores and mechanical hackamores.
I volunteer at an equine therapy center, and we work with a bunch of autistic children and children with similar disabilities. The previous trainer used mechanical hackamores because "We need more control over the horses when we have a less independent rider on the horse." One of our horses never listened when we used a hackamore, so we almost removed him from the program. That trainer had to be relocated due to family issues, and the volunteers agreed to try a rope halter on the "problem horse". He was amazing. I'd never seen him cooperate so well and so willingly. We figured out he was especially sensitive to pressure on his nose due to a previous abuse injury, and the hackamore was irritating it. We eventually switched to rope halters on all our horses but one, who we use a traditional hackamore on because she is still being trained. I was under the impression that hackamores were perfectly fine until Wizard (the "trouble horse") proved otherwise. When I have my own horses in the future, I will definitely be using a rope halter or a traditional hackamore if absolutely necessary.
I stopped riding my horse in a bit, switched to a mechanical hackamore. I realized that it wasn't much better... Now I ride her in a leather bridle with a ring on each nosebands where my reins are connected too. I use this because the rope halters I've tried on her always streatches and slides around. She seems really happy, I'm trying to get her to ride with nothing but my legs. Works okay right now! Really good video Rick, I really hope people will stop riding in bits... and those who uses chains, omg..
I agree with you, same experience. She stops with seat or voice and turns with legs or a hand on the side of the neck like neck reining so who needs a bit?
Melanie Selin the only reason I ride in a bit is for comfort of my horse. I tried to ride bitless for competition but he wasn’t traveling correctly and was having bones and vertebrae’s pop out of place. For my liberty work 100 percent I agree but for competition I don’t. Only reason being the well being of my horse and every good horse person knows the horse always comes first.
Brianna Reed you don’t think I’ve tried that? I really wish he would be bitless but I want him to be comfortable. I tried to train him to be comfortable without a bit for months but he was getting hurt so I figured it was better for him to use a double joint snaffle and for competition a double bridle. He does good liberty work but it’s not preferable in dressage competitions. I’m pretty sure competing in pre st George(where I am competing with my current horse) you are not allowed to be bitless. I’m not even allowed to use a normal bit and bridle when I compete.
I bought a fjordian horse begin this year and all the people said that i would never be able to ride him without bit of extra reins but in less than a half year i learned him riding with a neckrope. Now i ride with halter or neckrope.
The people were wrong, you just have to trust the horse and the horse have to trust you.
We made it.
People should try to remember that nothing should be on the horse unless it helps him do his job. tack should just be an instrument of communication , not a device of restraint or force, forced compliance is not cooperation from communication, it is just compliance or surrender.
I started to transition my Phoenix to a simple side pull that attaches to her existing head stall. Man!!! What a difference. Her responsiveness to my legs instantly improved with hardly any redirection on the reins. I ride her in a collected headset where she had room to move her head freely. She was actually smiling in the most recent pictures of her. Thanks for these videos .
In my first horse naiveté- I agreed with you. Id just get on bareback when leading with a halter and the lead rope against the mare's neck. It was a sort of "neck reining" but with the lead only on her left side - as I would have it there when mounting... It worked just fine for she and I. The bridle and bit just hung in the tackroom.
The pictures were so helpful as well. There is so much stuff out there that it is easy to get a little confused!
"If you can lead your horse in a halter, you can ride in a halter" 😂 omg I laughed, the amount of people that can't even lead their horse is amazing. People want short cuts because they are to lazy/scared to train correctly. It seems noone want to spend time with their horse and train it's all about ego and winning. It's sad.
Dropbear Claire i Can lead my horse from the Ground (she sometimes try to rum after grass) and when she want she Can ride in it (she is very dominant) and she is very strong and when she want to go a Way she is going that Way (sometimes she”s very sweet and listen)😂🙈
Dropbear Claire my horse can lead with a halter but doesn’t travel correctly or soundly without his 3 piece snaffle. He needs to bend and just can’t do that bitless. I’m not lazy or scared to train correctly and I do spend time working with him. He’s been to ONE show and I’ve had him for 2 years and I can’t stand people who have big egos. Not everyone who rides with bits have the same intentions. My plan for my horse is to have fun and enjoy riding and improving with each other. I love my horse and want him to be happy.
So if you can lead a lame horse without saddle on uneven ground you should be able to ride it in those circumstances as well? Stupid comparison in my opinion.
Brianna Reed So if you can walk a horse in a saddle you can ride it too? Why do we even need trainers then? I don‘t need a halter to lead my horse because he follows me, but definitely need one to ride him. The comparison is so stupid.
Brianna Reed I‘m getting it, don‘t worry. 😉 I just see it differently, because the dynamics between leading a horse on the ground and riding it is a totally different one and much more complex than this statement showcases.
Thanks for your explanations with the pictures included for better understanding.
Glad it was helpful!
Your videos are legit the best it’s unbelievable honestly I’ve seen this video 4 times and I always learn something new thank you Rick
I appreciate that!
@@ThinkLikeAHorse true
I've used traditional hackamore and a bridal with a bit and Zoe the horse definitely responds wayyyy better with the traditional hackamore and I love it so that's the winner!!!
It's been at least a couple decades, but when i got my horse (only one I ever owned), I didn't have a chin strap (the chain for under the chin) so the bit I was using didn't function properly. I was young and impatient to ride my new horse, and I found this bosal among some random stuff in the tack room. I was told the bosal was for training foals, that you squeezed the sides to grip the foal's muzzle as some part of the training which made no sense to me, but I wasn't going to us it for that anyway. I removed the bit and replaced it with the bosal on my fancy green and black nylon bridle and reins. My horse was a charger, a bit hard to control, and I noticed that she was developing that bald spot, so I wrapped the crap out of the top with terrycloth to cushion it. I wouldn't say it was the best thing, but it was better than going back to a bit. The more I rode that horse, the more natural I wanted to be with her, dumping the saddle for a bareback pad. The pad would slip out from under me when we loped, and I didn't want to cinch it tighter, so I rigged a breast collar my dad had given me to it to keep it from sliding back to her flank. So picture it: Fancy bridle with a bosal and a bareback pad with a breast collar. I got a LOT of weird looks, but I didn't care. That's how I rode my horse for our years together.
This made so many things clearer! Helped me a lot to decide with which bitless bridle to ride and a traditional or rope Hackamore seems like the best option for a horse :) Thanks!
Jojo of Faraway wow I am glad for you. I am going to start lessons soon and I am going to learn bitless. I made a blog talking about stuff like that today lol
great video, everyone who rides a horse needs to be responsible for knowing this information and what does and doesn't hurt a horse.
I just switched from a nylon halter or hackamore to a bosal. My 4 year old only had a bit for one month before I ruled them out altogether and gave them away. Just started shaping the bosal. I rode her in it for the first time and shes never been softer, more clear on my signals, and overall happier. I barely have to make any contact with it and shes starting to learn neck rein from it.
There was a video that had an english jumper riding bareback. So the girl is landing on his spine. The horse would buck and she would yank the bit. The horse bucked. And she slapped it.
All the comments said "She handled that so nice. her seat is amazing."
Um no. Shes causing all that pain and hitting the horse for something shes doing. People are so blind...
Coykat YT not trying to tell you how to do life but im pretty sure bosals are also invasive just watch railighlink's hackamore video ⭐️
@@larakuchen7480 Reiagh is an idiot who thinks she knows everything. Ive never seen such bigger trash complain on other people working with horses when she does the same thing. If its not her way, its not okay. :/
@@larakuchen7480 bosals can be more harsh than some bitless bridles or halters but it really is more the rider and horse when it comes to a bosal. My gelding can't neck rein so he does better with a nontightening side pull. If she's gentle with a bosal and her horse is learning how to neck rein with it without issue then it's probably being used correctly and thus is one of the more gentle bitless options.
You inspired me to break out my Dr. Cook bitless and dust it off having been told by my classical trainer that it wasn't as good as a bitted bridle for dressage work. He was as light as a feather in it and he's a big draft cross! Made me realize how much I had missed it. She no longer rides him and I'm going back to bitless!
If your horse goes well in the Dr. Cook, great, but I understand what your trainer was trying to say...I don't think a horse would collect well in a Dr. Cook., for the reasons explained in this video...I disagree with this video regarding the side pull - I have had great success doing dressage type work in a side pull as you can collect a horse similar to a snaffle in a side pull (especially ones with rawhide rope noseband)....again, you have to experiment with what works for you and your horse...every horse and combo is different.
There is only one thing this channel needs, Star Stable. I would love to see how amazed he was at the logic in the game.
*Horse jumps off cliff into the ocean* Danger! You took a pretty hard fall, but miraculously survive. Be more careful next time.
*Does it 70 more times* Danger! You took a pretty hard fall, but miraculously survive. Be more careful next time.
Yeet Scree OMG yessss
I just finished playing it 😂 Yeah, he will say thing like “Oh look at that pink!!” 😂😂
Yeet Scree YES
haha I would love to see him play sso. too bad they havent added bitless bridles yet
Hey Rick! I'm from Finland and I've been thinking about changing to hackamore and tried to look up for information. I can say your video helped a lot, and I will not take mechanical hackamore. Your videos have really helped me a lot and opened my eyes, and I will continue watching them. And I can say, even small things I changed is helping with riding and bonding with horse. A huge thank you.
thanks, glad they help
Thank you for making this and explaining all the different types of bitless bridles!! I started watching your videos a few years ago and haven't stopped since. They are all so amazing and VERY informative. You have truly helped me become a less stupid horse woman and I thank you for it!
People told me that It will be a time we’re you need a bit, and I want to prove them wrong
You only "need" a bit if your horse is unprepared. Ive ridden my coming four year old in a rope halter or hack/side pull since I started her, and she responds just fine. Yeah, the horse might get excited, but if you've trained them well you and the horse will know what to do!
Thank you so much for teaching the basics of bridles, bits and torque. No one has ever explained this to me, yet it should be the first thing an instructor teaches prior to throwing you in the saddle. This is pure Riding 101!! OMG, I'm 52 yrs old and have taken lessons off and on since I was 13 - I'm so frustrated because after all the money and time, I know very little about horses.
Your videos are great thnx!
Hey Rick ! It's encouraging to see how many horse people are viewing & commenting !
Yeah.......... happier horses ! Thanks to you !!! and the thoughtful caring riders !!! =D
Thank you so much! This is a great explanation of how all the different hackamores work. Much appreciated! Especially like the info about the side pull as one was suggested to me but found right away my draft x goes better in his rope halter! Now I know why. Again thanks for the clear communication.
Really enjoyed this review of different types of bitless systems. Even some of these can still be so severe! Made it very clear why attachment at the bottom is best.
Great video Rick!! I've never heard anyone explain why rope halters could potentially be easier for the horse to understand than a sidepull. Makes so much sense what you said about how the pressure is identical to what they feel when being led on the ground. I currently ride in a sidepull but I'm going to give the rope halter a try!!
As Yoda would say, do not try, Do.
Amazing beautiful picture, with Buddy and you!
What beautiful colors/combination with Buddy!👌💞
I finally got settled out in my country home. Got a massive backcountry to get out in. Gonna fulfill my lifelong dream of having a horse to go out hacking and have fun with. Did a bit of riding when I was young, but mostly spent my years training dogs and cats and birds. I absolutely can't wait to talk with horses again. Love your videos Rick. I learned a lot of stupid shit at a barn. Glad to know it's not all really about fancy equipment and inflated egos. Going metal free and going to do it right for the horse.
Good luck with your (future?) horse! There are a lot of good options with bit-less bridles, and even ones that look great too. I have a young filly right now who's not old enough to ride yet, but she's NEVER going to be introduced to a bit- that's the reason i chose to go with a younger horse who hadn't been hurt by idiots and has no trust issues. I wish you luck in your horse endeavor, and congrats on getting out of awful barn life, I'm striving for it soon...
It disgusts me when people use cruel/abusive tack on horses, like- they are already spending there whole lives under ur control, what else do u want from them!?😭
A good rider is able to ride without anything on the horses head. Just my opinion. Anything we put on a horses head is only for dealing with the riders short comings. I use something, dont get me wrong, but bridles and reins are for our comfort and feeling of control.
When you talked about riding bitless I kept seeing comments about how that puts too much pressure on the horse's nose and can potentially break it (which was somehow an argument for putting that bone-breaking pressure in the horse's mouth instead). I was baffled initially since I couldn't imagine someone being that heavy handed but I didn't know mechanical hackamores existed. Mystery solved.
Yeah, the force multiplier can be pretty dramatic, turning 5 pounds into 35 pounds on a very sensitive part of the horse's face. The nasal bone on top of the horse's mouth is thin and comes to a point. It's much more fragile than the horse's mouth, frankly.
The force exerted increases mathematically as the length of the shank increases, so the longer the shank, the more brutal the leverage.
Some people say that bits are safer and the horse listens better but that's absolute bullshit. I used to ride my horse in a Tom Thumb shank bit because it was required in shows. My horse constantly bucked with it. Countless trainers and so-called educated horse people shrugged it off as a "behavioral issue." I tried riding him with a traditional hackamore and he was a dream, absolutely no issues. Both myself and my horse were happier and had safer rides than we would have with a bit.
I like the cross under bridle. It’s not cruel, and it surprisingly releases pressure in time for my horse to respond well to the cues. The only downside to Dr. Cook’s is that the noseband’s leather is thin (to add more pressure), and it can leave a mark, so I put a fleece sleeve around it to keep it from happening. There is one I bought online for my other horse that’s a thicker and cushier leather by Wonder Care that eliminates that problem.
Thanks for the explanation, i'm looking to add an ottb to my life soon and was trying to decide on what to use. I'm considering a rope halter the most and I want to ensure a relationship. I dont want my horse to feel afraid when I come into pasture because he anticipates insane ppressure.
At 17, my 2nd horse was a mare, about 5 years old. She was half Morgan, have Clydesdale. Bought her for $50 at auction. Seller said he had a string of bucking horses for the rodeo, but she would never buck. She was huge with huge feet. Sweetest horse ever. She loved to walk into the Sacramento river in the summer and just watch the boats float by us wondering how a horse could be where we were.
I used what I knew to be called an Indian bridle. It was a small, soft cord, long enough to be 2 reins with a small length that went through her mouth. In order to keep it from falling out, I tied a small piece at the sides of her mouth and behind her chin. I kept it loose enough in the mouth so it would not hurt her tongue. She was not a rein puller, so it never got tight on her. I also sometimes used a real hackamore on her.
Very good explanation, Rick. Bitless is definitely the way to go. I tried the Dr. Cooks on an old mare that had been severely bitted her entire life. I put the bridle on her and did a few minutes of leading and flexing from the ground. She was far more relaxed than I had ever seen her when ridden. She blew through her nose repeatedly, but not in an irritated way. More like sighing to release stress. Her face and eye were so soft, not braced or set against the bridle. When asked, she stepped out confidently, and was very attentive to cues. She has since passed on. Wonder how she would have liked the traditional hackamore/bosal.
I find my horse is basically the same with either the side pull bridle or a rope around her neck. She used to wear a snaffle but I noticed she stopped tossing her head when I went to the side pull and then I got brave with the string around the neck so...don’t see a reason for a bit anymore!
Vanaru One awsome! Congratulations! Be good to the horse
I learned this from you years ago. All I ride in now is a bosal with mecate reins or a halter and reins. His riding demeanor has completely changed for the better.
:)
Wait, what 's the issue with buckles? I get th Dr. Cool and stuff, and the Mechanical Hackamore, but the buckles are just there to adjust size of needed, or am I !missing something?
Dr. Cook*
Rick dosent like any type metal on horses
I think Rick mentions something about them on his website, buckles (and clasps) can break or come undone easily. If the horse is in motion (Running, jumping,etc) and the buckle breaks, it can whip back and hit the horse in the eye or give him a bad whip to the face. When the buckle comes undone, you have a loose horse running and no way to control/direct it (unless you have trained your horse to give to pressure with a neck rope,then maybe you'll have a better chance of stopping it) If you have a good knot (hence the rope halters and bosal without the buckles) the only thing that can break it is you untying the knot and since there's nothing metal on it, there shouldn't really be any damage.
I don't know if you have ever worn little sandals or shoes with buckles, but the buckles can really hurt if pressure is applied to them. Also, if they unbuckle, they can get caught in something or flap around, and them being close to the horse face, it could scare them or hurt their eyes.
Personally, I like the traditional hackamore, or just my rope halter with rope reins tied on. I agree with you, Rick on the Dr.Cook type bridle, I don't like how they don't release last enough under the chin which also holds pressure to long on the poll. And I don't like snap on reins. To me the traditional hackamore is very communitive, so is the rope hackamore/halter. So happy Rick explains things so well to people, hope they listen.
Very good info and overview.
I personally like side pulls especially the ones with the rawhide rope noseband as they have a bit better feel than just plain leather...I haven't found that the horse tosses their head with the side pressure...at least mine haven't...can collect beautifully in it...I think for those coming from English riding they may be a bit more used to how a side pull rides as opposed to a bosal or 'traditional' how it is referenced here ...to me side pull vs. bosal vs. rope halter hackamore, really personal based on your background and how you ride and how your horse responds -any of those 3 are kind for the horse....btw, just something anecdotally that I think I am starting to notice - if a horses muzzle is white I think they are extra special candidates for bitless because I think sunburn can also exacerbate bits being uncomfortable - I have known of more than 2 white horses go dramatically better in bitless - though most horses do better regardless.
I have had one or two that were very dull in bitless and went better in a simple snaffle. Of course, that also depends on what you are doing: simple trail riding or is it more advanced performance stuff.
I personally don't like Dr. Cooks for reason you gave -- might work for some people/horses but not me.
As always light hands (as opposed to heavy, nagging) need to be considered in the whole consideration.
Really wish I knew about all of this 15 years ago. The way you explained it made it so easy to understand the differences, and explained so much of of what I did wrong when I was a first time horse owner, making the mistake of listening to the barn witches before I started tuning them out and learning for myself.
silverskyranch ----but isn't it a cool thing to find out about yourself?? You heard a better way, recognized the wisdom, then adjusted to do better. Think how many you've read in the comments that justify, deny & rationalize to just not change---thinking only of their own egos. Way To Go!
Missy Wyn makes a nice soft rope sidepull. I bought one and put my own nice looking browband and on it. My horse likes it. He’s black and the sidepull is black. He looks super handsome in it.
Don't know if you noticed. The one at 9:34 is a mechanical hackamore combined with a thin twisted wire bit. So it puts pressure on the horses neck, nose, jaw and chin. I can't understand how people think this doesn't cause pain. You can break your horses jaw and nasal bone with this crap.
Funny how so many people still count a mechanical hackamore as a soft alternative to bits. In German it‘s called „Außenkandare“ which translates to outside leverage bit and is way harsher on a horse than a regular snaffle bit. Also I would be really interested in some sources why rope halters should be suitable for riding. Rope cuts into skin even faster than chains.
Brianna Reed But why do you need one if you don‘t put pressure on it anyways? Then just don‘t use it. Also interesting how you think as chains as the alternative to ropes - what about leather straps? Would you prefer a backpack with ropes or leather straps?
Sophie Lorber hallo. Der kanal ist toll. Fair horsemanship von einer französin ist auch toll.
Sophie Lorber yes you can break even a horses nose with it
All horses can be bitless and understand what to do, it's the riders that cant.🙄 (Thx for the video, Respect*)
who or where did you learn everything you know about horses? not got agenda I am just very impressed how much you know and how you can go on your own path which is alien to people big props :)
Yeah, that chin chain in mechanical hackamore is a torture device in disguise! At the place where I keep my horse they use those on a few of their own horses, and I was so proud to be there, cause they're obviously going bitless with their horses. That was until I helped one girl with her horse. To make the story short, my finger got caught between the horse's chin and that hackamore chain and she pulled on the rains. I screamed like a bloody maniac! The pain was EXTREME from that chain pressing on my finger. And the pull wasn't even anywhere hard.
You are so right, Rick! Halters on horses please! As I like to also say a lot of the time, "If you think something is painless to the horse, try it on YOURSELF to make sure."
thanks Rick! greatly appreciate the information.
Thank you for making this video. I'm hoping to get a horse sometime in the far future and I'm learning what i can about what I want to do pretty early on, and this is very helpful for me who is hoping to ride bitless. This is going to stick pretty well.
Thank you so much. I understand the difference so much better!
Why would peole not like ropes. They are cheaper and better, colorful, they dont hurt us or the horse and they are hardcore as fuck. Look when I see horse with bit and the elegant clasic English coat and saddle and the super perfect legigns or whatever I am likemeh okay.And when I see the little fly repelents ( u know the balls with string to shoo flies off the horse) the ropes the cool looking rope halters i am like wow this guy doesn't need no metal to control the horse. ?Horse control himself and they cooperate with human. They know what they are doing... I bought sailing ropes and guess what. I'm not gonna ride with bit anymore.
Thanks so much for this Video I really learn something about Horses and their understanding of Hackamores and Bridles I have a love for Horses
"I can't fix stupid" 😂😂😂
Rick, thank you for this video. I actually spent the last week watching most of your videos (because I can't do anything else right now as my horse kicked me (haha, I know) and I can't really move...Actually my fault for not paying attention to him, I brought him out on the pasture and he spooked and I was standing in his way. Well, it happens.
So at the barn where I take riding lessons everyone starts out using sidepulls. To be honest if I think about it, at every barn I've been at it was kind of viewed as an achievement if you could use a sharper bit (Like "Oh wow look he's so cool he can ride with this sharp bit because he is so smart and experienced" and stuff). When I didn't use a sidepull I used a snaffle bit, but after watching your videos I think I will pretty much start retiring the snaffle bit and work with the sidepull mostly. To me using a bit no longer feels like an achievement, now it makes me feel embarrassed that I ever thought using sharp bits could be "cool" or "desirable".
So please keep making these videos, they really helped me rethink some things I've been taught the last 17 years :)
Great video! I'm thinking of starting a lease horse on a bitless bridle. Thanks for making this!
I have tried various bitless bridles and i have to admit that the rope halter works best with my younger horse, but the bitless bridle with the cross reighn below the head works best for my older mare (because i dont really have to touch it because the rides better with only leg and weight :) ) great video!
thank you! the video Really helped alot. I have both traditional and mecanical hackamore, only useing traditional now! I didnt know the metal put preasure on the horse like that.
13:30 I've also found that with this type of mechanical hackamore the top of the metal digs into the side of there face causing awful sores
thank you Rick, for making this video. I've been watching alot of your videos, your helping understand what's right and wrong with horse ownership and behavior.
I can't wait till I will be able to get a horse.
Thank you so much!
Amen! The hackamore gag bit should be OUTLAWED!!! Pure evil. I love the bosal or rope halter. Period. Love the video! Awesome work. You bringing COMMON SENSE into the horse world. Thanks D.C. From Texas
Amazing. This is a great video, very informative and precise. I learned something that I've wondered for a long time - when I trail ride, I use rope halter, but when I'm on the arena, I use a sidepull, cause I thought it would be easier for my horse to understand my directions. tomorrow I'm using the rope halter in the arena, cause my goal is for my horse to move down and forward with her nose, and you explain perfectly why that's hard with a sidepull. thanks so much for doing theese videos Rick. you da man :-D
Watching this video triggered a memory, something about the 1980 western movie "Tom Horn" starring the late Steve McQueen. I watched it again and, sure enough, my memory was correct. In the movie, Steve McQueen's character Tom Horn rides bitless using a hackamore. He does so, with the exception of one quick scene, up until his horse is shot and killed and he switches to a new mount.
McQueen started out in a TV western and starred in the classic "The Magnificent Seven". I don't know how accomplished a horseman he was, but he had no trouble controlling his mount in "Tom Horn" even backing him up a fair distance in one scene. The horse looked very comfortable and manageable for McQueen.
YES! I was waiting for this video SO LONG
Rick this is a quesstion for you! Im a designer/ artist and i wanted to start making horse related things like halters, lead ropes bridles ex, now for a bitless bridle what kind of material would you recomend for the making of this bridle? i want to know becuase i dont want to use metal and i dont know exactly whats great and whats terrible and i want what i make to be as safe as possible for horses, your help would be amazing
a horse's face is sensitive, make it out of material that you would not mind wearing on your face and strong enough so you can control the horse. Flat puts less pressure but round give better control since a horse can pull against flat more than round rope.
Im new to horsemen ship but not new to common sense. Everyone I know tell me that doing a rookie mistake by just using a halter and reins to lead them. Nonetheless, my mares go and do everything I lead them to and seem happy. 🤷🏻♂️
Thanks for this video, got the affirmation I needed 😂
I just posted about basically the same experience...
Thank you for making these videos. You're giving a lot of good information that I had no idea of when I was learning how to ride horseback. I've never really liked bits myself and didn't know that there was bit-less tack until now. Again, thank you for the information!
thank you for making these videos because iv learned so much from you my horse man ship has goten better and since we have been using bits I will buy a traditional hacomore and teach my horse with that and get rope halters
Thank you for this video! I thought a sidepull was a good bitless bridle, but now I understand why the reins on one place are better dan one on each side of the horses head. Very interesting to hear your opinion on bitless bridles.
i'm surprised more people don't just go straight for a rope halter rather than all the fancy stuff since it's probably the cheapest and most easily accessible option
so much easier, but too plain and simple but horses wished it too
I learn so much from you. Keep making videos please
Every horse can go bitless. It's some riders who cant
Heya! I would love to go bitless but i have never tried... do you have any tips? :)
There is no "cant" its "don't want to" bc they believe the only way to get a horse to listen is to put them in pain and act like it doesn't hurt. Jumping is abusive, horses only jump when they have to in the wild (when theyre in danger) Racing is abusive, too crowded and whipping and beating a horse to go faster only makes it run bc its trying to get away from the pain. And last but not least rodeos, hopefully i dont have to explain why rodeos are abusive. Not to mention literally any competition with horses that a horse is being forced to run by whips (or anything). If anything riding is abusive, horses need to be trained and desensitized to be used for riding bc if not they will become afraid of saddles and having something on its back (since the ONLY time ANYTHING is on a horses back is when they are being hunted and killed) Now do some horses enjoy jumping and racing? Sure. Does that make it ok to abuse and whip and beat a horse into doing so? Absolutely not :)
@@muffinmuffin6913 do research on fitting on the hackamore and avoid hackamores with chains and long metal parts
Thank you for this GREAT explanation. I have a sidepull for my boy and you explained everything he does when he resists... He is good and doesn't resist when riding with one rein so I just might as well stop using the sidepull all to gether. THANKS!
A few posters who disagree with Rick and the rest of us are repeating a myth that I have heard throughout my life in the horse world (that a bit will stop a spooked horse or horse determined to run full-out for whatever reason). However, A BIT DOES NOT STOP AN OUT-OF-CONTROL horse. Watch any of the "out-of-control" horse videos on CZcams in which the horse is running out of control with a bit in its mouth (the rider may or may not be on its back however and take note - the bit won't save you!!!) - or watch any video in which a horse spooks in a ring or runs away WITH a rider sawing as hard as possible on the bit. The horse will NOT STOP. There are many other techniques to study for help with a horse that is full-out on open terrain or has spooked in a ring, and none of them will tell you that a bit will save you. That is the same "logic" I have heard for decades about spurs and whips, which won't help either but will get your butt thrown in the dirt and/or drive a horse into a wall or a road. Sigh. My wife and I have grown out of the horse showing phase thank god. People will justify almost any level of abuse to show their horses.
Everything I've read, even from people who advocate using metal bits, indicates that bits do not control horses. They inflict pain as a means to communicate the rider's intent. But when a horse is in panic mode, nothing will stop it; not pain, not blindness, not obstacles. Horses in flight will run into fences, buildings, people, trees. They reflexively clench their jaw and push into pain -- horses breathe through their noses and not their mouths. The idea that the pain of a bit would stop them is silly.
Now THAT'S some great information! You cleared up a question I have wondered about as to why clipping my leads on the side rings gave a different reaction to clipping both to the underside ring.
Yes, I used the standard- every feed store sells them halters. I didn't know any better then.
Explanation is SO much better than rants - I watch these explanation vids several times and save them to a favorite folder just for occasional refresher.
PLEASE, MORE explanation vids!!
How about WHY a saddle is better than a pad, and a pad is better than only a pair of jeans between you and the horse?
I agree so much with everything you say, Rick!
The metal pieces on the bit-less bridle are just to put the bridle together, it causes no harm... But I totally agree with you... No metal is the best!
The hair on a horse's face is very short. Metal that touches the horse's face heats up quite a bit in the sun esp in summer. They can heat up enough to burn a horse's face. That wont make him feel comfortable.
@@SpiritBear12 That is y I left my opinion in the end... I prefer wen there is no metal for those reasons!
Perfect! Thank you, I know much more now😍
Bitless Bae awesome!
Never before did I see bits for what they are: Medieval torture devices. Thank you for your videos!
i have riding lessons, my teacher used a snaffle bit on just one of the horses I ride and said "it won't hurt" but i know it would. but I rode with it sorry Rick, but if I have to ride that horse again I am going to say, "no I am not riding with a bit it hurts horses so no"
They should educate people how a bit works and when it hurts. If you pull it, a broken snaffle turns into an upside down V that pinches in the horses palate and thats no nice feeling and people have no idea how many horses have ulcers up there because of bits pinching there because of pulling the bit all the time. Also with those weird shaped one piece bits and bits with toys (? I mean what the....) to make the horse produce more saliva than it already does.... If people put something against their own palate, they know it isnt a nice feeling at all, its very sensitive area and this so called gentle bit can be torture. Why so many horses try to spit it out, put their tongue over it, dont want to take it or even worse, just lock it with their teeth so rider got no more control? People need more education, but Im positive we are heading to a future where bitting will be something from the past. If only competitions would be open for bitless participants, it would open up to a bitless world big time. Competitions are still the main reason why people dont want to ride bitless.
I actually believe the picture at 6:27 was to show that no matter how many flashes you put on a horse, they can still open their mouth, so flashes are generally pointless. Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm 90% sure that's what the experiment was for. Also, I'm in no way saying it was OK to do this but in this case I personally think it was a fairly good way to bring across the point that horses don't need flashes. It of course wasn't an ideal way as it must of been very uncomfortable to the horse, but it was obviously a one time thing.
Really informative video, excellent; justifies using rope for a bitless ride.
I agree Rick! One way for simpletons to think of it since humans don't wear halters or bits is like this; which would you prefer? Steel wool(metal) or wool(natural)? Rope hammock or iron hammock? Felt blanket or chain mail sheet? Leather boots or metal boots? Fleece scarf or 'pretty' studded metal collar? Out of all of these I can assure you there is a horse equivalent. And the horse would definitely not prefer metal over any natural sort of fiber. Wether you are a simpleton or not you can learn by thinking like this!
I use bit less bridles, I loveeeee them there so good, my horse loves her hit less bridles she listens great with it! All I use is a bit less bridles and it doesn't have any metal or anything on it or chains and it doesn't cross. I think I'm on the right path lol and I don't use any pain devices and never hit my horse!
I've been riding my horse in a rope halter for years now (since I discovered your videos on riding bitless) and I'm still getting nasty comments from others at the yard. Like today, as I was riding back; one person commented that it was illegal to ride bitless on the road and others were saying my horse should have a bit in his mouth. Well, my reply was polite and I also said that you do 90% of things with your horse in a halter, why would you need a piece of metal in his mouth!
Like you've said before, proofs that they do not know what they are doing and secondly, listen to what others are saying and doing and do the opposite, which is what I do and my horse and I have a great relationship now.
Barn witches, just jealous
Very interesting. Thanks for the info!
Thanks for watching!
By far the best video I have seen on this topic. Thank you so much! You are very talented at providing clear, concise and thorough explanations. Everyone should watch this video before deciding which 'Bitless bridle' to use! I am going to start out with your suggestion of the traditional rope (non mechanical), one point of communication for my horses. Quick question, if one felt that there was a situation where the hackamore needed the option to employ 'more brakes' what would you suggest? For example, if I had a traditional hackamore (bosal, fiador, no metal, mecate reins) but wanted the 'next step up for brakes' would you suggest simply changing the material of the bosal (ie: a rope vs. leather to aid in the tilt, thus acting as the option for more brakes or would you suggest adding a leather curb?) Thank you again!
Heya Rick, loved the video :0 I'm currently working with my 5 year old Ex Racing TB with a bitless rope bridle as a hard bit is all he knows. There are little metal clasps where I attach my reins so I'm not a saint but its a start! He is just a dream and is getting the hang of neck reining. I really look forward to your next video :)
I think we should still be praising the mechanical hackamores. Its so hard to get people to give up the bit. Here in Australia people do campdrafting (western riding) and the bits and chains are insane. A lot of the time there is so skill in the riding, just pain.
Zareena Ali Why would anyone give up a snaffle bit for a leverage hackamore? Please stick to the snaffle and don‘t get harsher.
Brianna Reed In German „Hackamore“ is called „Outside leverage bit“ (Außenkandare). It’s the same, just outside of the mouth. It‘s much harsher than a snaffle as well because of the leverage. My goal is to ride a horse as soft and subtle as possible, not „without a bit“.
Brianna Reed Because certain bits are less harsh than certain “bitless” bridles. Thus one is bot automatically better than another. A hackamore is harsher than a snaffle. You really don’t get it? :)
@@1Horselove122 Mechanical Hackamores are some of the hardest and most painful bridles out there. It's very easy to break a horses jaw with a mechanical hackamore even, especially with long shanks.
If I had to rank harshness of bridles I'd say they least harsh is just a halter, then a bosal traditional hackamore (With raw hide, not hard rope), then a leather bit, then a double broken snaffle bit, normal snaffle bit, then gag bits, then the mechanical hackamore with short shanks and leather, mechanical hackamore with a chain and long shanks, then big leverage bits, double bridles and anything among those lines. Very easy to really hurt a horse with a mechanical hackamore, especially for an inexperienced rider. If I had to choose between a mechanical hackamore and a snaffle bit then the snaffle is the way to go. It's not comfortable for the horse by any means and it can cause pain, but it's still less dangerous than a mech. hackamore.
Bitless does not equal horse friendly.
@@1Horselove122 Dude I just said if I had the choice between just a mechanical hackamore or a bit then I'd use a soft bit since the chance to really hurt the horse is much smaller. I personally don't use bits, though I do think there are riders who don't hurt their horses with them.
Tbh riding in general is uncomfortable for horses if we're being honest, they would be the happiest if we left them alone. Riding is pretty egoistical.
This video was very helpful
Please keep up the good work
Awesome video sir! This video was very informative
Incredibly informative, thanks. Besides the fact that it's bad for the horse and rider, buckles and leather and chains look so damn ugly and unnatural. Especially when you got about 10 different 'bridles/halters' etc tied around the horses face, looks ridiculous. The traditional style is 😍
Excellent tutorial, Rick. Thanks!
I am so thankful that you are sharing all of this with us, I was totally unaware of all this stuff, why cant there be alot more teaches and trainers that understand this stuff like you do, how inthe world did you learn this. if I ever get into horses again, I will surly remember allthat you taught me, because I know all the mistakes I made over the years when I was into horses and owned htem and rode other peoples horses etc. (I have had horses runaway with me, buckwith me, and other things that were dangouers and I had no understanding what it was I was doing wrong to cause this. some would tell me the horse is being stubborn. some would just say they dont know others would say the horse needs more training or whatnot.
Person who worked with my mare before we bought her, nearly ruined her. She is completely responsive and has a tender mouth. Jack Williams was her previous owner and in frustration with he'd yank the bridle and bit from her mouth. She hates bits and becomes fearful. I only ride her with a hackamore, a gentle voice, and gentle hand.
I so need to go back to watch your rope knot tying vids again, every time I go to do them I have brain fade and I am sure I am not doing them right gah. Off I go to relearn lol..... Buddy and Mr T are good boys
Thanks Rick! Again a great educational video!
still watching the videos to see if there is one about horses pushing through the hackamores. have watched other trainers talking about that. just wanting more information on it.
@@countrycuts5796 makes sense
The little S hack @8:50 is different than mine. Mine has a padded biothane noseband, and instead of the curb chain, it has a strap, also of biothane. I do understand that it is a mechanical hack, and I used it for years, without my horse getting rub burns on his face. I now have a paracord rope halter--no metal, English style with browband, and it works even better. I jump with it, and even drive the horse in it. For driving, I got rid of the overcheck, and no sidechecks neither.
I have a off the track thoroughbred and people have been misunderstanding him and putting heavy bits on him because he was "crazy" and abandoned him at the barn and I'm trying to get him better and I'm trying to get rid of all bits, I'm trying to figure out what hackamore I should get for him, he's a English horse
I have rode many OTTB in rope halters.
What about a side pull
I'll definitely use hackamores/ rope halters when I'm older :-) thanks for another great video.
why not start now
Jazzy D
Maybe they don't own their own horse, maybe they can't ride a horse yet, maybe their barn witch teacher don't allow outside bridles on their precious ponies.
I'm speaking from my own point of view, where the only "riding" I've done is getting plunked on a back and led around. And even that was only twice.