Bit vs. Bitless Experiment, 3rd horse (bitless)

In October, 2008, at the Certified Horsemanship Association's International Conference, Dr. Cook undertook a unique experiment. It demonstrated that the performance of four horses immediately and significantly improved, within four minutes, when their jointed snaffle bridle was replaced with a crossunder bitless bridle. Four riding school horses that were being ridden in a crossunder bitless bridle for the very first time, completed two four-minute exercise tests, first in a snaffle bridle, then in the BitlessBridle. The film is presented in nine sections ... Part 1. Introduction; Parts 2-7. Individual performances; Parts 8-9. Results and Discussion. The entire experiment (in better quality video) is available on DVD - go to www.bitlessbridle.com for more information.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• dr. cook
• bitless bridle
• bitless
• equestrian
• natural horsemanship
• hackamore
• sidepull
• bosal
• crossunder
• cross-under
• bridle
• horseback riding
• english riding
• dressage
• eventing
• cross country
• cross-country
• show jumping
• western riding
• barrel racing
• rodeo
• CHA experiment
• nurtural

[shermanjktv]

When a horse canters on the wrong lead with a bit they are given a 2, when done bitless they are awarded a 4. That seem biased to me. I ride 4 of my 5 horses bitless.

[painthorselover101]

i see no difference in this horse from bit to bitless. he's still very nervous and tense and is tossing his head. he needs more groundwork and confidence building.

[horseygal7302]

@nlmarvin83 I cant stand seeing the 200+ men on these 14 hand two year olds at a reining barn I go too. Not fair to the horse. Ive also seen a sour backed horse with huge "behaviour" problems. This horse needs a lot of work to get him willing, calm, and confident :-/

[horseygal7302]

@painthorselover101 A month of ground work and riding with a bitless might really help the horse too. I also noticed there was lengthing in the horses stride. He seemed happier, but not 100% willing

[horseygal7302]

@painthorselover101 I think the horse has a lot more issues to work on too. The bitless did help, he was coming forward into contact, but his gaits were still uneven. He seemed edgy no matter what.

[nlmarvin83]

I'm sure the horse is thrilled to not have a bit in his mouth, but it doesn't matter because he couldn't move correctly if he wanted to due to the weight of the rider. I am not bashing larger riders, but if you are a larger rider, than get a larger horse. It is not fair to the horse to have to carry such weight, as he will never be comfortable. Plus he will always be looked at as a sour horse due to behavior and pinned back ears, even though it is not his fault.