I'm a dressager rider and have found the bitless bridle to really help our schooling. My mare wasn't horrible with the bit, but she was pretty resistent to it, especially in downward transistions and any time I needed to take more contact. I do worry about riding with too much contact with the bitless because I don't want to dull her to it, so I do "give" the reins a lot, I guess similar to the way I would with a snaffle. Not a problem because I like light contact. If I do need to take more contact, there's way less resistance with the bitless.
I am a lower lever dressage ridder, though, about 1st level. And I've actually had better luck using the bitless after my mare had a little more training. When she was greener, she leaned a little more on it so I saved it mostly for trails. When I re-introduced it a couple of months ago after someone stole my bitted bridle, she responded much better to it. At that point her training was much further along and she understood more what I wanted in terms of carriage and bending.
Good luck with your paper.
--- On Tue, 9/9/08, Katie Grillaert <katie.grillaert@...> wrote:
From: Katie Grillaert <katie.grillaert@...>
Subject: [bitlessbridle] My Introduction
To: bitlessbridle@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 8:43 PM
Hi -
I realized I never gave a 'proper' introdution when I first posted, so here we go.
I'm a dressage and eventer from the Twin Cities in MN. I've always had barefoot horses, although not 4-point trimmed. I haven't been able to find an affordable 4 point trimmer, so I'm learning it myself. I'm also a U of MN student (Biochem/Animal Science), and have been reading many scholarly articles about hoof and leg anatomy. During my research, I saw a reference to Dr. Cook's book, and began researching the Bitless Bridle and its applications to dressage. I had no qualms about jumping or hacking, but was faced, as are many, with the question - "What about being On The Bit?" While it took some considerably digestion of classical and modern dressage theory, I decided that indeed the bitless should work, improve upon the system even, and mine should arrive in a couple of days. I was never
comfortable with the amount of contact that dressage trainers suggested that I ride with (I prefer not to touch my mare's mouth at all, really), and this seems like the perfect solution.
If anyone has a used copy of Dr. Cooks book on problems induced by bitting, I would love to purchase it.
I plan to document my transition with my green Anglo-arab mare from a loose ring french link copper inlay Myler to the bitless bridle, supplement with scientific info from scholarly journals and Dr Cook's book, and publish in our local eventer mag, Cross Country (publication for Central States Dressage and Eventing Association) . More visual presence = overturn of FEI ruling against the bridle.
Let's hope all goes well!
Any insight or advice from fellow dressage riders would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Katie
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