| Author | Message | ||
     Rita Bundock Username: Roanmare Registered: 11-2007 |
Some years ago I drove a 11hands pony with a history!! Not accepting the bit in any way - taking off at a rate of knots - would not drive single at all but would go pair as he just went where his partner went. He had an driving attitude problem in a big way, but so very beautiful and nice natured to handle until a single vehicle was put to!! The answer was in his mouth which was so small, getting a bit to fit correctly proved difficult. So in desperation I took my courage in both hands, put a headcollar on with reins attached to the side rings over the driving bridle with reins on plain cheek. Put him to single, picked up the reins with contact on the headcollar noseband and no contact on the bit (one handed as if driving driving team/tandem, this allowed my right hand to be sensitive when rein handling)asked him to walk on and never looked back. He eventually accepted the bit after some time of gently using both noseband and bit reins together. More equines could easily be driven bitless with the correct training if they are of the right nature but it is not done - or is it? | ||
| Fiona Powell Username: Fionap Registered: 12-2003 |
Hi, try www.bitlessbridle.co.uk. There are a number of articles, including some by a driver, about it and you can buy a variety of Dr Cook's bitless bridles. Inharness magazine also ran a feature on it from Ideal Harness. If you send me your email address, I'll send the PDF to you, with photos? editor@@inharness.co.uk (use just one @) | ||
| Guest Username: New Registered: 12-2006 |
Could anyone please advise on how to drive a horse without the use of a bit. There does not appear to be any information on what goes wrong if you drive a horse without a bit, or indeed if horses/ponies can be drive perfectly well without a bit. The reason I ask is because I have a client who wants to learn to drive and then try and have her own horse broken to drive. She has had the vet, equine dentist,etc. check the horse and they cannot find anything wrong, but it does not accept bits. It hacks out and schools well in a bitless bridle (not a hackamore) it also lunges well so what pitfalls await if it is driven without a bit. Advice please. |