No matter where in the world you are, by joining Bitless Inc, you will gain access to valuable resources to help you on your own equestrian journey, as well as supporting the advancement of bitless riding and driving. Bitless Inc needs your support, to be able to support you!
You started getting lessons...
You were told to "be in control", taught how to make the horse do what he's told and to be more effective applying the whip and pulling on the reins.
When we choose to use kinder training methods and gear - our horse feels safe in our presence.
With that comfort and understanding - comes safety for ourselves.
When we feel at ease with each other - we start to have fun together.
Its a very simple formula for success, that is as rewarding for the horse as it is for us.
Bits are a straight or jointed bar made of metal or synthetics fitted in a horse's mouth and attached to the reins. Leather and rope bits also exist.
Bits are traditionally used to apply pressure to the bars and tongue of the horse's mouth, and turn the horse's nose. While not intended as such, they are most frequently used as crude brakes.
Recent studies have shown that ALL bits damage horses' mouths over time, even when used by soft, kind hands.
Bitless refers to bridles that have no parts inside the horse's mouth. Bitless bridles have a headpiece with the reins attaching closer to the nose on the bridle itself.
There is a wide range of bitless bridles these days, with a variety of purposes. They may be kind or severe, depending on the design and materials used. Many bitless bridles can be used by the rider or driver in traditional ways.
Don't forget that all horses are first trained to respond to a halter, and this is just another bitless.
Bridle-less is also bitless. It can refer to a collar close to the horses head, a neck rope or cordeo at the base of the neck, or nothing at all.
Bridle-less requires a much higher level of skill, communication and trust between the horse and the human.
Bridle-less is an achievable goal for most people, when we learn the right skills while still using a bridle.
Bitless is a common starting point for many of us onto a new path of deepening understanding and trust with our horses.
Riding and driving as if we are bridle-less, builds the skills we need to develop that true friendship and equal partnership that so many of us desire.
No matter how far that may take us from the conventional, we will be getting closer to achieving the dreams that lead us to seek a connection with horses in the first place.
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Participating in equestrian sports while also ensuring high welfare for the horse are no longer conflicting goals.
You too can be the leader who inspires others in your local horse community, confident in the knowledge that you are not alone.
By being part of a bigger movement with Bitless Inc, we can advocate for you to enact change in equestrian sports to accept bitless, improve welfare standards respect the horse as a willing partner - not just sporting equipment.