Hi There, My name is Barb Lee. I am a carriage driver. I have
recently discovered that one of my horses has a bone spur on his
left bar, no doubt the source of much trouble in the past. I have a
Dr. Cook driving bridle on order. While bitless options have been
available to riders for millenia, the idea of bitless driving scares
everyone to death, and those who do it remain firmly in the closet
when talking to other drivers.

There is ENORMOUS resistance to bitless driving. Most bitless
drivers are afraid to post to the driving lists. Since I have been
experimenting and sharing my experiences on the driving lists, I
have had a ton of private email. Most in favor, but a few are
relating stories of runaways (not thinking to mention the runaways
they've witnessed with bitted horses).

Right now I am provoking a lot of people on the driving lists,
because I am expecting detailed reports of personal experience and
horse preparation for going bitless. Also, to level the playing
field, calling for reports of the carriage runaways that occur at
practically every event.

I know it's going to get too hot in the driving forums to keep this
up. I also know that while I feel I am preparing well for the next
step, I am scared to death to step off into outer space without a
safety net. Riding accidents are one thing. Carriage wrecks are
almost always spectacular.

There are a great many folk out there who drive, that are on breed
lists, etc. and the very mention of driving bitless will get them
shouted off a list.

So, my questions to you all are, would you welcome discussion of
bitless driving? If so, I may be able to populate your list rather
quickly.

Or, should I start a separate list for bitless driving?

Thanks!

Barb