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[fargos handmaiden]

Do any of you have personal experience w/one? I had a biothane (neoprene??) one decades ago when they first came out. I am interested again but wonder if problem i had then (maybe imaginary), that the cross straps under the horse's chin and jowell didn't seem to loosen right away when I released the reins. I felt compelled to reach down and pull a little slack in them often. But i am not sure that they actually fell loose enough and it was just my imagination because i did not see a little slack and slope in those straps.

Any voices of personal experience out there? Would the leather slip loose quicker and more easily than the neoprene? How did you like the bridle.and which version?

[stablemind]

I know some people believe these are more humane simply because there's no bit. My thought is those criss-cross straps don't ever give the horse a break from pressure. Actually, I think with all bitless options you lose the ability to softly communicate with your hands. It's more important to me for my horse to learn to respond to a light cue from my fingers (and seat). This is not something I've mastered by a long shot, but something I feel is worth working toward. I would work toward that goal my entire riding life rather than trying to master riding bitless. But that's JMHO. (shrug)

(I realize this doesn't actually answer your question, Connie.)

[Miss Angel]

I had a leather one I used on an arab. She hated it, there seemed to be no relief under her jaw just like you said, it caused her to throw her head up a lot. She seemed so unhappy I only used it once so maybe I just didn't give it a fair chance.

[Walkin45]

I know some who have used successfully - always ridden with a stable mate and just followed. And I know one who got a one way trip
To a few month hospital stay. If I’m
Going bit less I’ll use a sleister or jumping hackamlre - both with curb chains.
So that’s a no for a Dr Cooks.

[KysaSD]

I agree with Cyd on the pressure under the jaw of the crisscross straps. Because of the cold temperatures I experience in the winter, I almost always use a bitless option in the coldest weather. But I choose either a side pull, which will work similar to a Snaffle bit, or an English Hackamore which will work a little more like a shanked bit.  I definitely think both of those options are much superior to the Dr. Cook’s.

[fargos handmaiden]

Thanks, all. So i guess my feeling cross.straps.did not loosen up sufficiently was not my imagination. My miracle horse whisperer who took the icelandic said she had same.experience.

I found a cheap way to test the waters on a bitless trial. A Justin Long bitless nose.piece on Amazon for under $30. Much cheaper than the full bitless.bridles. It has two.strategic-placed knots that don't exactly make it "gentle" but perhaps.it will be a first "transition" to see if bitless is right for Speedy and I. Due to his twirly spooky habits, not sure i want to start out with something too gentle. I am seeing some behavior improvement with new saddle, i think! Reading about bit troubles.and small-mouthed or.flat-mouthed horses made me think bitless might be worth a try. He has always been very responsive to a bridle.even in the middle of.his.little temper.tantrums which i.am beginning to wonder is due to saddle and bit discomfort. Don't know. Always willing to try anything.

[kckc]

The one I had was rope and when you let loose with the reins the cross straps didn't seem to loosen.

I have gotten my horses used to giving to pressure (which took awhile) and now they ride in a rope halter.  I'm really happy in those but it did take a lot of training and I had some help too

[fargos handmaiden]

Thanks, KCKC. My amazing horse whisperer lady rides in only halters and sent me link to a nice one but like i said, i gotta work into that in stages, maybe. The icelandic was to replace schitzy Speedy but now i don't think he's so bad. At least he never broke my bones or threw me! Now, I find a halo hung above his horns! :-)

[kckc]

yeah it takes awhile and they sort of need retraining all the time because they will start to pull onthe rope halters.  I bought my first from Michael Gascon as it is stiffer rope and has the additional knot on the nose.   I'm not tickled to use any pressure on their face and probably should have been able to teach them pressure release for their bits but I'm happy with the halter.  You do have to make sure you dont put the halter on the thin boned area of their nose