Eucerin Oil Control Sun Gel-Cream SPF 50+

When you’re on vacation, there’s little time to wait for your sunscreen to dry before you blast off to the barn or beach. This dry-touch facial sunblock for oily, acne-prone skin ensures you don’t have to delay, so dirt is less likely to stick to it. An added bonus? It’s extra water- and sweat-resistant.

Available for $19.58 on caretobeauty.com.

Blundstone Chelsea No. 550

Iconic for a reason, Blundstone boots mold to your feet and wear like iron; they’re made of durable, double-stitched leather. The Chelsea No. 550 boot offers outstanding, lightweight shock absorption. Pull tabs make sure you can get them on quickly and easily.

Available for $209.95 on blundstone.com.

Hydaway Collapsible Travel Bottle

A collapsible water bottle ensures you stay hydrated without weighing you down. Collapses to a 1.5-inch disc and holds 17 ounces of water when expanded (a 25-ounce option is also available). Dishwasher safe, it’s made of food-grade silicone and BPA-free plastic. Available in a variety of colors.

Available for $29.95 on shop.myhydaway.com.

Helmet Brims Horseback Riding Standard Brim Sun Visor

The Helmet Brims Riding Sun Visor blocks both the sun and the rain without blocking your vision. Lightweight and easy to fit onto your helmet using velcro and elastic, this visor is made with Australian shade cloth that ensures high sun protection while also being exceptionally durable and offering a bit of visibility. Various trim color options.

Available for $46.95 from ridingwarehouse.com.

Carmex Weather Guard Stick with SPF 30

Whether you’re in the rain or in the wind, Carmex Weather Guard Stick with SPF 30 is the perfect moisturizing lip balm. Offering both UVA and UVB protection, this cocoa butter-infused balm is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

4-count available for $9.99 on amazon.com.

Body Glide Anti-Chafe Stick

Keep your thighs and backside chafe-free no matter how long you spend in the saddle with Body Glide Anti Chafe Stick. Sweat- and water-resistant, this easy-to-apply balm creates an invisible barrier to protect skin from rubbing, chafing, pinching, and other irritants.

Available from $5.49 to $16.99 on bodyglide.com.

Ariat VentTEK Stretch Shirt

Wear-tested and ready to ride, the button-front shirt offers UV protection and VentTEK side panels for air flow. Its moisture-wicking technology is designed for optimal comfort in any weather, ensuring you look good no matter how long you ride.

Available for $58.95 on ariat.com.

Acavallo Ortho-Pubis Seat Savers

It’s not always your seat bones that get sore when you’re spending hours on end in the saddle. Acavallo Ortho-Pubis Seat Savers reduce pressure around the pubic bones, ensuring more even weight distribution and a comfortable, safer seat. Available in western, dressage and jumping options.

Price varies by model; purchase on acavallo.com.

This article about trail and marathon riding essentials appeared in the January/February 2025  issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Trail and Marathon Riding Essentials appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

“Knowing how bits should sit and fit in a horse’s mouth could help avoid serious problems and setbacks—I suggest using a bit-sizer to start,” says Alan Fisher, a champion trainer with over 20 years’ experience based in Eastover, N.C., who specializes in western pleasure prospects.

He says that riders need to learn the control points of different bits, the mechanics behind mouthpieces, and what exactly should be achieved with each type of bit.

Snaffles vs. Ported

There are two important categories of bits: ported (leverage) and snaffle (direct action).

Ported or “correction” bits come in low, medium, and high leverage levels, and feature an inverted curve, U-shape, spoon-shape, square-hinge or spade-shape at the center of the mouthpiece. These shapes provide tongue pressure relief. Western bits have shanks that connect the reins to the bit, which vary from 4 to 8 inches long.

Both English and western ported bits come with a chain or curb strap to stop the bit from harming a horse’s mouth.

Snaffle bits work by direct pressure from the ring to the rider’s hand through the rein, and either type of bit can be made from stainless steel, copper, titanium, sweet iron or aluminum. Some mild snaffles are made of plastic, rubber, leather or fabric material.

Snaffle Cheek Pieces

While ported bits always have a shank cheek, there are several common styles of cheek rings in snaffles, each with a different effect.

◆ Loose rings move with the horse’s lips, tongue and jaw by gliding through the attached mouthpiece.

◆ Full cheeks have two short bars coming off the sides, one on top and one on the bottom of the fixed mouthpiece. This bit is useful for young or inexperienced horses who need help with steering or to learn how to carry their head without tilting.

◆ D-ring and eggbutt snaffles are both fixed options that resemble the letter D or an oval-egg shape. These are less likely to move side to side in the mouth.

Snaffle Mouthpieces

As opposed to the mouthpieces described above for ported bits, snaffles have straight mouthpieces with various shapes and joints.

◆ Non-jointed snaffles have a mouthpiece that’s straight across with no breaks in the metal, rubber or plastic.

◆ Single-jointed snaffles are considered a basic, and feature a break in the bit with a joint in the middle that creates a V-shape in a horse’s mouth that puts rein pressure on the bars of the jaw and edges of the tongue.

◆ Double-jointed snaffles follow the shape of the tongue better than a single-jointed bit. They have two joints that connect the sides of the bit with a central link.

◆ Smooth snaffles are on the milder side and work well with sensitive mouths and for beginners who aren’t as gentle on a horse’s mouth.

◆ Twisted-wire snaffles are considered more severe and are commonly used for horses that tend to hang or pull on the rider’s hands, or when more control is needed, such as galloping cross-country.

◆ Roller bits have movable pieces that rotate and help a horse to relax his mouth and jaw.

Combo Action

English riders sometimes use leverage bits combined with snaffle action.

◆ Double bridles have a curb bit and chain, a snaffle bit with small loose rings called a bradoon, and two sets of reins. They are used in upper-level dressage and show jumping, as well as saddle seat riding.

◆ Pelham bits are most often found in hunter rings, on foxhunters, and on the polo field, and are designed to combine the action of a curb bit with a snaffle, like a double bridle.

This bit provides leverage on the jaw with its lower shanks and curb chain to encourage flexion at the poll and stronger brakes, while the snaffle mouthpiece gives turning control.

Pelhams are usually used with two sets of reins, although “converters” are available for beginners that switch the bit to one set of reins—but these negate much of the bit’s action.

Soft Feel

Western trainer Shawn Alter shares that nerves and being scared is why most riders have heavy hands and tend to use the bit too aggressively.

“You must take the time to practice and gain the muscle memory of going to the horse’s mouth softly, asking first, and giving him a chance to respond while softening with your fingers to create a nice flow without any yanking,” says Alter, who owns Shawn Alter Quarter Horses in New Alexander, Pa., and specializes in showing, training, selling and judging horses for local and open shows.

“To be an efficient and well-rounded rider, you’ll need to learn to ride more with your seat and legs, and have less pull on the reins.”

A Bit Reactive

“Horses often learn to be angry at the bit when they feel rushed or pushed beyond their abilities,” says all-around Quarter Horse trainer Melissa Jones, who owns Jones Performance Horses along with her husband, Chris, in Reelsville, Ind. “Horses who haven’t learned to give to the bit or choose not to give tend to turn defensive and act out.”

The more you are heavy-handed or jerk on a horse’s mouth, the more the horse will want to get away from that pressure, she says.

“Not leaning on a snaffle is important because our goal is for the horse not to lean on the bit, and holding will reinforce that.”

Releasing Pressure

Trainer Alyse Roberts says that releasing bit pressure as a reward is key for teaching a horse to self-carry correctly.

“I’d rather see a rider who releases hand pressure too soon rather than too late,” says Roberts, who owns Alyse Roberts Performance Horses located in Purcell, Okla., and specializes in all breed hunter under saddle. “Hanging on the bit defeats the purpose and can upset a horse who is trying to do his job, but the rider keeps getting in the way.”

Dental Check-Up

All-around trainer and judge Jamie Dowdy says that it’s critical to rule out physical discomfort in the mouth, which gives the impression of bit trouble.

“A yearly dental exam is needed, especially in young horses, as they can be experiencing mouth and teeth soreness due to shedding baby caps and possible wolf teeth,” says Dowdy of Hartman Farms, a Quarter Horse facility in Marshfield, Mo. “Older horses need routine dentals for preventative measures to stay ahead of any developing problems.”

Just walking into a tack store and looking at the wall of bits can seem daunting. Our bit experts all mentioned that having an experienced trainer guide the transition to a new bit is a smart way to set your horse up for steering, control and—most importantly—communication success.

This article about bits appeared in the November/December 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post All About Bits appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Ariat Cruisers

Speaking of blurring that line between barn and civilization, I loved my first pair of Ariat Cruisers so much that I ended up buying a second ($94.95). My original pair (that I promised myself would not become a barn shoe) became a barn shoe, especially for those quick little trips to check on a horse, drop something off, or throw hay in the morning before work.

They’re really comfortable, super-easy to slide on and off, and look cute with jeans, shorts, or even breeches. So I gave in, let the originals follow their calling as barn shoes, and I now own a second pair that is truly reserved for excursions into the real world, including work. A number of styles are currently on sale on Ariat’s website, and I just snagged two more pairs in new patterns for less than $40 a piece.

◆ Shop at Ariat.com 

Kerrits Fall Riding Line and EQL Jeans

Kerrits has always been one of my favorite brands for breeches, and I actually still have a few pairs from the late 1990s in my closet. They hold up. But while I’ve been eyeballing their EQL casual clothing line at events like the Kentucky Three-Day Event and Equine Affaire, I’d never felt like taking the time to try on any of their casual clothing. But this summer, at a local tack shop’s annual tent sale, I was the lucky winner of a $250 Kerrits gift certificate. The ladies at The Carousel Horse suggested that I wait for Kerrits’ fall line to come in, and when it did, I was really impressed. Kerrits has maintained their signature style while introducing contemporary colors and patterns. And their high-tech fabrics are both warm and breathable without impeding movement — necessary around here as the weather gets cold and we have to layer up.

I went home with their Bits of Plaid Quilted Vest ($109), which I’m hoping to wear to work a few times before it becomes barn-wear, and a super-soft and warm On Course Quarter Zip Fleece Tech Top ($74) that will be perfect for teaching and riding this fall and winter.

Then, The Carousel Horse ladies mentioned Kerrits’ new EQL jeans, and said that there were a few styles that had come in that even they hadn’t tried yet. I struggle with pants fit (my butt is a size bigger than my waist) but I ended up really liking the In-Motion Bootcut Jean ($99) with a raw hem. The jeans are a little lighter weight with more stretch than what I normally wear, but they’re really comfortable and flattering, and the detailing at the bottom of each leg is a little something different. These have become my go-to Friday “denim-day” jeans for work this fall.

◆ Shop at Kerrits.com 

Muck Boots

As farm owners, my husband and I have a rather large boot collection. I have boots for riding, boots for barn chores, and boots that can do both. My husband is usually in some kind of work boot, preferring something he can slip on and wear comfortably all day.

We’ve always been Muck fans for their durability and comfort, but two additions to their current lineup have been pleasant surprises.

My husband has been really liking Muck’s Mens Western Chore Mid Boot ($140), with a similar rubber foot and neoprene top to Muck’s classic style, but with a much slimmer, western boot profile. The square toe and reinforced heel makes this a boot that can easily convert from barn chores to riding, unlike Muck’s traditional work boots which don’t safely fit into stirrups. My husband, who is not often found on any of our horses, still prefers this more streamlined fit just for working around the farm. He says they feel more secure in the heel and less bulky than traditional Mucks. Last weekend, when the majority of his day was spent repairing things that the horses had broken, he said his feet were comfortable and cool in these boots all day long.

And since our temps have dropped, I’ve been slipping on Muck’s Outscape Max Ankle Boots ($135) every morning before work to take care of the horses. These boots are great. They slide on and off hands-free, a necessity when I’m rushing out the door carrying everything but the kitchen sink. The sole is really rugged and grippy, which I appreciate when I’m leading horses out to their pastures in the dark, especially when it’s been rainy and the ground is soft and I’m running late, dressed in work clothes. And with a footbed that is incredibly light and comfortable, this is another Muck boot that could easily be worn all day long. (Though I toss mine in the trunk after chores on the way to work!)

◆ Shop at MuckBootCompany.com

Dapplebay Riding Top

When an ad for Dapplebay’s riding top in a French toile de Jouy pattern ($58) appeared on my social media, I visited the website and contemplated the shirt. While I’d found myself on Dapplebay’s site a few times before, I’d never committed to a purchase (you know, the whole mental game of “do I need this, or do I want this?”). But something about this classic blue and white pastoral pattern made my “want” win over, and I completed my order. I am usually an end-of-season sale shopper and rarely pay full price for something that I don’t need, but I loved the look of this pattern and was curious about the quality.

When it arrived, I was more than pleased: the fabric is buttery soft; the colors are beautiful and the pattern crisp. Reviews said that this particular shirt tended to run small, so I ordered one size up and the fit was perfect. I was so in love with the design that I went back for the matching saddle pad, too. The shirt is currently sold out, but you can ask to be notified when it’s back in stock.

◆ Shop at Dapplebay.com

Hay Chix Nets

Now that we’re back on daytime turnout in western Pennsylvania, my horses are spending a little more time in their stalls, and I’m so grateful for my HayChix Free Up Feeder hay nets (starting at $110). The large majority of my equines are really easy keepers, but I’m a firm believer in free-choice hay (despite my Fjord occasionally looking like an overstuffed sausage). I was also so sick of waste — watching my 30+ gelding pull his expensive, third-cut hay into the middle of his stall and pee all over it made me want to cry. So when we built our barn, I splurged on Hay Chix nets and swear that they’ve paid for themselves several times over in just two years. I spent the extra $30 per stall on the wider opening (24” x 24”) and am glad I did; between the larger frame and the really easy to use hardware, I can open and close the frame one-handed and never have to set hay on the floor.

Hay Chix advertises that you can open and fill each in less than thirty seconds, and they’re not lying. And for the MacGyvers in your barn who will figure out that if they pop the net hard enough from the bottom with their noggins to undo the latch themselves, there’s a pin you can put in to prevent them opening it (I’m looking at you, Waffles). We fill the nets at night, and most of my crew still has hay in their nets in the morning — which makes both my anxious horse-mom mind and wallet feel good!

◆ Shop on HayChix.com

With these fall equestrian gear picks, you’re sure to be set for barn chores and riding this season. Embrace the beauty of fall while staying comfortable and chic, whether you’re in the saddle or just out enjoying the crisp air.

This fall equestrian gear list is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Fall Equestrian Gear Round-Up appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Finding a bit that gives you the ability to communicate clearly with your horse and one that he enjoys can feel a bit like finding a needle in a haystack. While nothing can take the place of trial and error, Marty Whitehouse Riney, DVM, an equine vet specializing in dentistry and a professional horse trainer based in Kentucky, offers some tips on how to narrow the search for the perfect mouthpiece.

Determining the Right Bit Fit for Your Horse

A bit that is too large can be heavy for a horse to carry; it can cause him to rub his head or become fussy when being bridled and while working. A bit that’s too small can cause even more issues by pinching the sides of the horse’s face or causing painful rubs.

While your horse’s dental care specialist can advise on his general mouth shape, don’t dismiss what you can determine on your own.

“Pull your horse’s lips apart and see how thick his tongue is compared to others in the barn,” says Whitehouse Riney. “If your horse is reasonable, you can also see and carefully feel where the bit sits in his mouth.” This will help determine if his palate (the roof of his mouth) is low, which might indicate what type of bit is most comfortable for him.

“It’s important to realize that bit sizing and palate shape are not the be-all, end-all of bit fit,” she continues. “It’s also important to take into account how thick or thin the horse’s tongue is, which can also make a difference in bit fit.”

Whitehouse Riney says the best way to narrow down your bit search is to look at these five things: Fit, material, thickness, ring type, and joint. Once you find a mouthpiece that fits, you can then start choosing other things around it, such as cheekpiece, diameter and material.

The Right Bit Width and Fit for Your Horse

A 5.5-inch bit width is considered “standard,” but a bit sizing tool can eliminate guesswork if you don’t have bits of varying sizes at your disposal. These tools are made of hard plastic and look like a deworming tube; they’re placed in the corner of the horse’s mouth and slid through until touching the other corner. The measurement displayed corresponds to the bit size that will best fit the horse.

A bit that fits properly will allow for a finger’s width of room between the horse’s cheek and the side of the bit.

Mouthpiece Material

Another thing to remember is that each horse is an individual, just like us.

“What feels good in a horse’s mouth will vary by horse and their anatomy and head shape,” says Whitehouse Riney. How a bit feels to you, as the rider, also plays a role in finding the best bit. “How you ride a horse is different than the way I do; it varies and is based on the individuality of the horse/rider partnership,” she explains.

Texture and weight of the bit can also come into play. Some horses can be adamant about what mouthpiece materials they don’t like, raising their heads when bridled or gaping their mouth as soon as the mouthpiece hits their tongue.

There are several common mouthpiece materials available, including stainless steel, rubber, sweet iron, copper, plastic, and even leather. Trial and error can get pricey, so it’s worthwhile to see if friends or barnmates have some bits you can borrow.

◆ Stainless steel bits are the most common; these won’t rust or flake and are quite durable.

◆ Sweet iron and copper bits encourage salivation and relaxation.

◆ Rubber and plastic bits are not as durable as metal bits, but they are often preferred by horses with sensitive mouths.

◆ Leather mouthpieces are often enjoyed by horses that are highly sensitive; these bits become pliable and soft when soaked with saliva.

Thickness, Ring Diameter & Joint Type

Another measurement to consider is the thickness of the mouthpiece the horse is being asked to carry.

“Horses with petite, thin tongues may not be able to carry a bit with a traditional mouthpiece circumference,” says Whitehouse Riney.

Ring type is another source of variability.

“If you have a horse that’s hard to turn, a fixed cheekpiece, like those on an eggbutt or full cheek, can offer more stability,” she adds. “Other horses like bits that can slide a bit.”

Ring diameter in bits refers to the size of the sides of O-ring, D-ring, eggbutt and loose-ring snaffles; the rings often vary in size from 2.5 to 4 inches.

It can seem there are many as many joint options in bits as there are breeds of horse, and most horses tend to prefer a particular one. In a nutshell, a mouthpiece with more than one joint shapes around the tongue and distributes pressure over the tongue and bars. A bit that is broken in one place places more pressure on the bars, and a solid bit places pressure on the middle of the tongue.

Set Up for Success

The best way to test a bunch of bits is to try out several in one ride, says Whitehouse Riney. The easiest way to do this is to have at least two bridles in the arena with you, each with a different bit on them, and a few more bits waiting in the wings, she advises. To make things go even faster, consider putting quick-snaps on the ends of your reins.

“You won’t need an entire ride in a bit to decide if you and your horse like it,” says Whitehouse Riney. “Two to four minutes with it on and hacking around is plenty to determine if you both like it.”

Comparing bits in this way is almost like being at the optometrist, she says. You can compare each bit to the others, figuring out if it’s worse or better than the others you rode in before.

“A lot of finding what your horse prefers is listening to what he’s telling you,” Whitehouse Riney says. If you have the opportunity to go to a bitting clinic, go, she encourages it. This is often a wonderful way to try lots of bits and determine what your horse prefers, all in one afternoon.

If you show, it’s important to know the bitting rules of your discipline, Whitehouse Riney stresses. No one wants to find a bit their horse loves, only to find out it’s illegal in the show ring!

Further Reading
◆ To Bit or Not to Bit?
◆ English Bit Basics
◆ How to Choose a Western Bit

This article about finding the right bit for your horse appeared in the September 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Finding the Right Bit for Your Horse appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Matchy-matchy equestrian style is all about coordinating colors with your horse. Picture a dapple gray wearing a periwinkle saddle pad, fly bonnet and protective boots with his rider sporting a periwinkle shirt. That’s the matchy-matchy fashion trend.

Jessica Alvarado, creator of the Facebook group Matchy Matchy Equestrians USA, defines matchy-matchy as “the addicting obsession to dress your horse and/or yourself in matching attire.”

Why Matchy-Matchy Equestrian Style?

Part of the appeal of dressing matchy-matchy is that anyone can do it, regardless of discipline, body type or age.

“Price doesn’t matter either,” says Alvarado. “Matchy-matchy fits any color, shape, size, budget or skill set.”

Alvarado, a dressage rider from Washington, dove into matchy-matchy with a yearling named Moose.

“With my horse being as young as he was at the time, I didn’t have much to do with him other than basic groundwork, so I started to play dress up,” she says. “From there, my obsession—and my collections—grew.”

Alvarado formed her U.S.-based matchy-matchy group on Facebook in May of 2020 as a forum where people can buy and sell, ask questions or simply share pictures of themselves and their horses decked out in their color-coordinated best.

“At the time, there weren’t any groups dedicated to those who live only in the United States,” she explains. “This was a way to keep purchasing simple by not having to deal with currency conversion, overly delayed shipping times, and to promote smaller, local shops.”

Although the term “matchy-matchy” isn’t typically used in the western world, the concept is alive and well. Western lifestyle blogger and Horse Illustrated contributor Raquel Lynn of Los Angeles explains what motivates riders to coordinate with their horses.

“You work really hard taking care of your horse and you want them to look good,” she says. “Putting nice tack on a horse is a finishing touch.”

How to Get Started

For western riders, the sky’s the limit with matchy-matchy. “There are a ton of options in colors and print,” says Raquel. “For example, a barrel racer could put turquoise boots on their horse and have saddle pad wear-leathers in turquoise. More options are light oil tack, dark oil tack, or black tack, which is trending now.”

She cites cowhide print, serape and sunflowers as popular at the moment.

Some equestrian brands are known for creating sets that are perfect for matchy-matchy aficionados. These include matching saddle pads, fly bonnets and brushing boots or polos. Alvarado names a few of the major brands in the English realm as PS of Sweden, Equestrian Stockholm, Eskadron, and Equito. For western lovers, Raquel says Desert Rose Equine is known for coordinating stirrups, breast collars and headstalls, and Harris Leather and Silverworks have all the varying shades of tack.

Alvarado identifies the two biggest struggles of being matchy-matchy are limited supply and price gouging.

“With matchy-matchy becoming more popular, finding certain items can be difficult,” she says. “There are several sets that have been declared ‘unicorns,’ because they are very rare and hard to come by.”

For example, PS of Sweden is known to have two ‘unicorns’ with the highly sought-after colors Couture Red and Pacific Ocean.

“Usually if you are patient, in time you will find what you consider a unicorn,” says Alvarado. Like wine, certain saddle pad sets become more valuable with age, becoming collectors’ items due to the rarity. And that is where price gouging can occur.

Matchy-Matchy Fun for All

For most riders swept up in matchy-matchy, the quest to find tack and accessories in perfect hues and the ability to add a splash of color and designs to your equestrian pursuits are just plain fun.

“What drives me to be matchy-matchy is the happy feeling it gives me,” says Alvarado. “I love dressing my horse up to look his best, and he quite enjoys being told how handsome he is on a regular basis, too. The best part of having my matchy-matchy Facebook group has been creating a space for people to share what makes them happy. Times are hard for everyone right now. If sharing your photos or purchases makes you happy, by all means, share away.”

The post Matchy-Matchy Equestrian Style appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The idea of riding without bits isn’t new, but the idea gains momentum as many horses are ridden for pleasure rather than high-performance shows. The bitless topic almost always provokes debate.

Here, we’ve gathered input from industry experts with differing views. What’s the same is that all want what’s best for the horse and rider. Read on to find out if bit or bitless riding fits best with your riding plans.

Always Bitless

Those who support full-time bitless riding have championed rule changes in many show associations. Robert Cook, FRCVS., Ph.D., has studied bits’ effects on horses and developed the popular Dr. Cook Bitless Bridle. Cook has lobbied show organizations to include bitless bridles as allowed tack.

If you want to show without tack regulations, online bitless shows may be an answer. Visit Nina Heller’s Bitless and Beautiful 501(c)(3) non-profit organization for show info and bit-free reasoning.

“The bit is a block between true mutual respect, trust, and harmony,” says Heller. “When you can do all the riding, training, and showing you like with the knowledge that your horse did it from friendship rather than coercion from things like the bit, spur, or whip, it is the most wonderful feeling—better than any prize or rosette.”

Pros and Cons

Legendary trainer and TTouch Founder Linda Tellington-Jones, Ph.D., began training horses without bits early in her career with the help of U.S. cavalry books written much earlier.

“I realized many, many years ago—in 1949—that I could start a young horse without a bit,” says Tellington-Jones. “I was the kid that would ride—and get bucked off—the new horses at the stable where I rode. One day an old man who saw me riding by his farm every day gave me a book written by an American cavalry officer. It showed how you could start young horses without bucking by ground-driving them. I found that instead of putting a bit in the horse’s mouth, it was better to drive off halter pressure. The horses understood much better.”

Tellington-Jones developed her own Lindell Bitless Bridle after looking at various hackamores and bosal options. The result is a side pull bridle with a round, stitched leather nosepiece and soft leather jowl and chin straps. In her new book, Training and Retraining Horses the Tellington Way: Starting Right or Starting Over with Enlightened Methods and Hands-On Techniques, Tellington-Jones says she uses the Lindell on young horses as well as those with sensitive mouths, and for any rider who has a tendency to balance on the reins.

Tellington-Jones poses the question: “Why would you ride a horse that was very difficult—even a runaway—without a bit?” In her experience, many horses who pulled on the bit acted much differently without a bit.

“It was amazing how horses that we thought were really difficult would turn around if they had the bit out of the mouth,” she says.

Should you ever ride with a bit?

“That depends what you want to do with the horse,” says Tellington-Jones. “I think most horses are much happier without the bit, but there are exceptions when it doesn’t work. If you have a high-headed, spooky horse who puts his head up, just using the bitless bridle isn’t going to give the horse enough information. I don’t think that bits are bad. If you don’t feel safe without a bit, keep yourself safe. If I’m riding on a safari in Africa and I don’t know the horse, I want a bit. Also, if you want to compete, you may need to have a bit.”

Tellington-Jones says to start bitless riding with caution.

“I recommend using the bit over the bitless bridle you’re going to use,” she advises. “Start in an enclosed area. If you need more control, pick up the reins attached to the bit.”

And an extra note of warning: practice your stopping cue before you take off your bit. Make sure you can stop without pulling.

“English or dressage riders, don’t close the leg to go into the bit when you want to stop,” she says. “There will be no bit to stop into.”

Riding Comes First

Karen Rohlf teaches dressage combined with natural horsemanship and biomechanics. Rohlf says her Dressage Naturally training program has seen an uptick when it comes to horse owners’ awareness of and interest in horse welfare. She says many riders are questioning traditional methods and looking for partnership-based horsemanship.

She reminds us that no rider should be judged for their tack choices.

“Be careful, because a rider who rides bitless is not necessarily kinder or more gentle,” says Rohlf. “Likewise, riders who do use bits are not necessarily harming their horses. I am not really interested in the no-metal movement and have often been turned off by very dogmatic views accompanied by unfair videos focusing only on the tools and not the riding. I am interested in educated riding and being able to make choices that work well for the horse. I don’t want people to have the wrong impression that to be kind to your horse all you have to do is take off the bit.”

Rohlf says she is not anti-bit and that she starts all of her horses without a bit, but she may use a bit as a tool of refinement. She adds that dressage movements can all be done without a bit, but it does have its place.

“I have had horses where a bit was a handicap because their aversion to it caused more training problems than it solved,” says Rohlf. “On the other hand, when used correctly on a horse that accepts it, a bit can offer a level of lightness, clarity, and refinement that may be missing without a bit, [allowing for] the most delicate aids and less confusion. In my experience, if you educate a horse and rider to be able to ride bitless, then when you do use a bit, if the horse accepts it, everything becomes even better.”

Rohlf’s first priority when starting a horse bitless is to connect with the mind and the feet of the horse and to use her hands and reins as little as possible.

“Mental, emotional, and physical self-carriage is the first goal,” she says. “After this stage, I look for healthy biomechanics by improving balance and alignment. The next stage is to educate the horse so he knows how to move freely within the contact of the reins and that he can trust my hands.”

When she does use a bit, Rohlf only uses smooth-metal bits and has a variety of snaffles, which her horses get to choose from.

“I love that I know how my horses feel with and without a bit, and that I am not restricted by rules of competition so that I can make choices for what is best for each individual,” she explains. “I tell my students to go to a tack shop and lay different snaffles on the fleshy part of their forearm, then squeeze it. You can easily tell the bits that pinch and the ones that feel smoother.”

Tack Free

Luke Gingerich competes in reining and ranch versatility and specializes in training horses at liberty. Gingerich’s bridleless freestyle reining routines have inspired others to achieve the same connection with their own horses.

“I think as more riders focus on developing the relationship and connection with their horses, they have been inspired by seeing what is possible when clear communication and the relationship between horse and rider is prioritized,” says Gingerich. “That’s different than only attempting to physically control the horse, whether through metal tools or otherwise.”

Riding without a bit is much different than riding a horse at liberty—though both can be considered “bitless.”

“Riding without a bit can still involve pressure and control on the horse’s face with a variety of tack, such as halters, side pulls, or bosals, just to name a few,” Gingerich adds. “In contrast, riding at liberty without any physical restraints on the horse’s face gives the horse choice in whether to connect and engage with the activity.”</

Working up to riding a horse at liberty takes time, and should usually be done with tack to start, according to Gingerich.

“It can take months and even years of consistent training with tack, before transitioning to riding completely tackless at a high level,” Gingerich says. “If riders don’t put the time into laying a solid foundation of liberty work before taking the tack off, there can be potentially dangerous consequences. If your horse doesn’t understand how you’re trying to communicate with him and how to use his body without relying on tack, taking the tack off will only confuse him, and can lead to dangerous accidents for both horse and rider.”

However, Gingerich did start his 3-year-old filly without tack.

“I spent about 10 months taking her through my liberty program in depth, focusing on mental and emotional relaxation and connection, body control, collection, and posture training,” he says. “This helped her develop a high level of mental and physical fitness and understanding that allowed me to actually start riding her completely at liberty, bareback and bridleless, from the very first ride.”

Traditional Sequence

Vaquero-style training starts with a hackamore before introducing the two rein (a bosal under a bitted bridle) and then the spade-bit bridle alone. Many cow horse competitors today start horses in a snaffle bit as the initial lesson tool.

World Champion working cow horse trainer Matt Koch is a master of riding in a hackamore but considers it part of a full training progression. He trusts his horses to respond to his cues well when riding without a bit.

“I ride a lot of horses in hackamores,” he says. “But for the general public—jeopardizing their well-being for it—that doesn’t make sense in my mind. If their horse gets scared, they don’t have a chance to stop him. It’s not worth the gamble of them getting hurt.”

Koch says it’s the rider’s skill and not the tack that affects the horse.

“The bits don’t hurt them,” he continues. “I can put just as much discipline in that hackamore as I can in a snaffle. You have to have your basic foundation put in. It’s clearer to [the horse] in a snaffle because you can be more direct. With a hackamore, you have to wait it out. If [the horse] decides he wants to run off in a hackamore, he can darn sure run off.”

Bit of Comfort

Bit maker Dale Myler says he’s heard more about the bitless movement within the last 10 years as more and more riders want to find what feels best for their horses.

Myler says a horse will tell you if he’s comfortable in the mouth by the way he carries his head or if he opens his mouth. Myler warns riders not to accept a bit just because it came with the horse or because your trainer always uses a certain type.

“Most problems with bitting a horse are caused by people not listening to and observing the horse,” says Myler. “Instead, we listen to other people, and no human knows how a horse feels in a certain bit. If the horse doesn’t like it, the bit will cause the horse to become evasive to the rider’s hands, much like a human putting their shoes on the wrong feet and trying to work all day. Pretty quickly, you can only think about how wrong the shoes are and nothing else. It’s the same with the horse. They lose a lot of focus if they are only looking for a release of bit pressure.”

Myler also cautions that it’s difficult to achieve precise shoulder control without the use of the bit.

“Nothing is written in stone; however, you won’t have precise shoulder control without a bit, and if you can’t control the shoulders, you can’t, as a rule, get a really precise movement.”

Is there such a thing as too much metal? Myler thinks so.

“In my opinion, there should never be more than one bit in a horse’s mouth at a time,” he says. “There is never any need for it. We are not making warhorses anymore.”

Whatever type of bitted or bitless riding you end up doing, make your decision based on what fits your style and makes your horse the most comfortable.

This article about riding bitless appeared in the September 2020 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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