I'm in Michigan and I have the bitless bridle for my 8 year old Morgan mare that never was happy with the bit so she was always stiff and argumentative under saddle... now she is soft... free and easy moving with no more arguments...she'll go wherever we ask her now with a smile on her face.
So... I got one for my 26 year old quarter/morgan mare... her dam... and was apprehensive since she had always been in a curb bit without a problem, but she is a bomb-proof mare that I can put small children and novice riders on without a problem and I wanted something that would be kinder on her from these non-riders... I tried the bitless and wow... she accepted it right away... at first she was gasping at air looking for the bit because she never had a rider without something in her mouth... now her movement is softer and you would never know she is 26.
So, I also got one for my 3 year old Arab gelding. I will let him wear a bit to get use to one but I will only use a bitless on him under saddle when he is old enough to be ridden.
The bitless is definitely the way to go!
Bonnie