The Bitless Topic

Today I had a riding lesson all by myself, for an entire hour.  I wanted to have some 'drilling' in regards to contact and the 'finer' nuances' thereof.

There was much talk about being 'on the bit'. I admit I very much struggle with this and I think it will take me a looong time to fully understand the purpose of it although I don't think I ever will.

It doesn't seem natural. If I can be natural, why can't the horse also be natural?

'Mr F' does really fight any 'hard' contact via the reins. I figured right from the start that he is much more at ease if I ride  him with only very soft contact. By now, most of my directing aids are done via leg and hip rather than by bit/reins.  

I would prefer to go bitless but I don't yet have a well enough established partnership with 'Mr F' to do so safely when out on the roads. In fact I wonder if that will ever be possible as he can be very temperamental.

The bit is very useful as an 'emergency' stop or if there is an argument between us with regards to which direction we are going ('napping' - although that is rare and only happens if I have neglected our groundwork routines and when I take his cooperation for granted.)

I did have a look around for various bitless bridles but they mostly function via pressure on the nose or under the chin, neither of which I like. 

Sometimes I have the rope headcollar under the bridle when we go out just so I can take off the bridle when we stop at a pub. I have on one occasion attached reins to the rope head collar and 'Mr F' reacted immediately. However, because of the knots going over nerve points I am still a bit hesitant to use it.

Right now I am using a lovely, wide and soft leather bridle without noseband. I do have a chin strap which is only there to stop the bit from slipping through the mouth in case there is a disagreement between myself and 'Mr F'.  The bit is a KK Sprenger (Augirian) which I bought 2nd hand (almost brand new though) and 'Mr F' is perfectly fine with it.

It will have to do for now. I have soft hands but if there is a 'napping' situation it is up to 'Mr F' how much discomfort he fancies putting up with. But as I said; most of times we work together.

This will be a topic that is bound to hang around for a while yet ...