BOOTED ENDURANCE

Over the years certain horse sports have required me to use a bit during my riding - but my first preference is always to ride bitless, hence why I love endurance so much! 

Endurance offers you this wonderful choice and it is lovely to be able to make that decision for yourself and your horse and to be able to ride in a halter or bitless bridle if it is what suits you.

In the past I have ridden in a rope halter but for the last year now I have been using a Light Rider Bitless Bridle designed by Cynthia Cooper.  Below is an article highlighting why riding bitless may now be a possible choice for you in endurance.

Whether you already ride in bitless headgear or still use a regular bridle and bit, there are more options available now to choose from when it comes to practical, comfortable headgear for your horse.

The Light Rider Bitless Bridle designed by Cynthia Cooper (former successful endurance rider) is proving to meet many of the endurance rider’s needs, most importantly the ability to control the horse without a bit in its mouth.

Secure on the head so offers more control than a halter.

The unique design of the chinstrap on this rope bridle, keeps the noseband from twisting and sliding when the reins are used. This in turn puts more direct pressure on the nose and causes the horse to listen to a lighter feel on the reins.

The chinstrap releases when the rein pressure is released, providing instant reward for the horse and comfort during the hours on the track.

It is much safer than a halter because the communication is more direct to either side of the horse’s head (and therefore easily understood), and the reins cannot become stuck on the neck when the horse tuck’s its head in to avoid pressure.

Lighter and more comfortable for the horse.

The lightweight materials used and light rope reins make the overall weight of the LR bridle around 500 grams (depending on the size). The soft, pliable rope makes very little surface contact with the horse’s head, which means less sweating and more comfort for the horse. The padded noseband relieves the pressure and doesn’t mark the nose like a rope halter will.

Allows easy eating and drinking on track.

 Because the chinstrap is loose until the reins are used, the horse can fully open its jaw to eat and drink. Of course with no bit, your horse will find it easier to drink – no sucking in air with the water, and easier to chew grass on track for better hydration.

Allows easier breathing than with a bit.

A bit obstructs the horse’s breathing, especially when the reins are held firmly, as the tongue is forced towards the back of the mouth. Combine that with some vertical flexion when a horse is held in, and you decrease the size of the airway in the throat by as much as 50%. (Ref. ‘Metal in the Mouth – the abusive effects bitted bridles’ by Dr Cook & Dr Strasser.)

Doesn’t cause pain or physically damage the horse’s mouth.

When you take away the bit, you immediately take away a lot of pain from pressure applied to the reins. A bit acts directly on the bars of the mouth that are only covered by a thin layer of skin and tissue – a bit like your shin bone. If you want to feel what a bit is like for the horse, put one around your shins and have someone pull the reins (ask them to be gentle or you will end up with bruises!).

When a horse experiences pain, it will fight against that, and become harder to control as the tissue is damaged and eventually bone spurs form from bit pressure. A horse in pain goes ‘right brained’ or uses its instincts to survive, adrenalin takes over and your horse uses up its reserves very quickly.

The horse also reacts to pain by throwing its head up, tossing its head or opening its mouth. This then causes the rider to need a martingale or tight noseband to keep control of the horse and makes life very uncomfortable for the endurance horse.

A Light Rider bitless bridle, even in heavy hands, will not cause pain unless it is fitted too low on the nose and obstructs breathing.

It won’t rub the horse, even if you have to hold the reins firmly, as the chinstrap keeps everything from slipping.

The reins unclip to make a long rope for leading and tailing.

When you have to get off your horse out on the track it takes a few seconds to unclip the reins from the chinstrap and one end onto the halter loop. You then have a 2.6 to 3m (depends on size) length of rein for leading or tailing your horse up hills.

Easier for vetting – no need to change head gear.

When you come back in to ride base, there’s no need to remove the head gear – just unclip the reins and make a rope so your horse has all the freedom to eat and drink, and you have a nice long rope for running your horse out. Please note the rein clips are not designed for tying a horse – but a regular rope can easily be clipped on for this.

Easy to clean and dry.

The rope bridle is easily washed by dunking in water, and a little scrub with a nail brush gets out all the sweat and dirt. Or you can throw it in a net bag in the washing machine to get it looking like new again.

Hang it up to drip dry and its ready to go again the next morning.

If you want to find out more about the Light Rider and other Bitless Bridles please visit http://www.naturalhorseworld.com/BitlessBridles.htm 

Or if you'd like to purchase one of these bridles go to http://www.naturalhorseworld.com/Shop.htm

I will also have my Light Rider Bridle at any endurance rides I attend so dont be shy feel free to come over and have a look or try it out!

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NOW released for those wishing for a more classical look is the English version!  It is smart, functional and kind on your horse and still bitless!