Bitless Bridles....to Bit or not to Bit

Bitless riding is a very popular riding style in both Western and English disciplines. There are many horse trainers who train with bitless bridles. It is a highly debated topic..to bit or not to bit??

Below is an excerpt from natural horse trainer Farah DeJohnette on the benefits of using bitless bridles on bitted horses.


Bitless for Bitted horses

This week, I wanted to talk about Bitless Bridles for Bitted horses. As someone who competes and trains, I do have to train horses to ride in a bit because some shows do not allow Bitless Bridles as legal tack. Also, some of my clients prefer to use bits and that is their choice so I work to educate their horses to the bitted bridle while schooling in my Bitless Bridle. I will start a young horse in the Bitless Bridle and allow them to carry the bit with no reins attached while learning to take direction from my body language and position on the ground or mounted.

I have had a good bit of success taking even the most heavy and un-supple horses back to light and soft in a Bitless Bridle. What happens then when they go back to the bit? They are much more responsive and soft in it.

Now this is also just plain good horsemanship as I frequently remind my students. How the horse rides in the bridle (Bitted or Bitless), is how he is riding in his body and mind. What is on my horses head has little or no relevance to me unless the equipment is very wrong for the horse or the horse has injuries or mouth problems out of the ordinary. This is why I find using the Liberty rein so easy. Because I have learned to focus on my communication and my horses mind and body more then his head control.

Read more here

 This is great picture of Farah DeJohnette 

Playing with a Bridless Piaffe 

The exercises I use are centered around Liberty and my Liberty rein because they allow the horse the freedom to show me where they want to carry their posture. They are trained from where they tell me to start. 

See Natural Outline Liberty rein exercises at the FDHorsemanship Virtual Clinic     
  

Buckaroo Leather is proud to manufacture several styles of the Bitless Bridle. All are handcrafted in the USA from Hermann Oak Leather in the good ole’ USA.

Django sporting a Bitless Bridle with Leopard spots!!!

                     

Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving the Western Horseman the safest most durable Quality American made leather horse tack....... Buckaroo John Brand Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand Visit Our Unique Store Today Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

Libety Lined Mounted Horsemanship Clinic by Farah DeJohnette

All horsemen and woman...here is a great clinic by our good friend and talented natural horse trainer..Farah DeJohnette......
                 

     Farah DeJohnette Liberty-Line-Mounted 
                       3-Day Horsemanship Clinic

             October 5-7, 2012 — Reber Ranch, Kent, WA


Join Farah for a truly unique approach to your horsemanship!
 
10 Things You’ll Learn at this clinic:

1. how to get a ready and willing horse by preparing him mentally and physically—first at liberty, then on a line, for what you want from the saddle;

2. how to shorten learning time with a liberty-line-mounted progression;

3. how to get the performance you want by prioritizing your connection;

4. how to read, improve and maintain various aspects of your connection—on the ground or in the saddle;

5. what 6 things your horse needs from you, before he can give you his best;

6. the dressage techniques that are yoga for horses in suppling them for all Western and English pursuits;

7. how to combine creativity and patience to overcome challenges;

8. how to make it fun for your horse to learn moves from the ground that have felt like work from the saddle;

9. how to make a huge leap forward in both your connection and your performance;

10. how to overcome any fear or trauma associated with your horse.

Farah DeJohnette Horsemanship specializes in improving connection, communication and calm leadership using a unique Liberty-Line-Mounted progression to re-pattern common issues. 

Dressage based, natural horsemanship, balanced seat riding, and yoga principles are effectively combined for show, pleasure, English and Western. 

Emphasizing a strong connection and bond while putting the “Fun” in fundamentals. Creative, enjoyable exercises to find your horse’s natural performance. 

Also specializing in working with fearful riders. 
All disciplines welcome! 
Certified Carolyn Resnick Trainer

Pricing:
Participant With Own Horse: $490 (limited to 8)
Stall: $25/night (includes shavings; bring water bucket)
Hands On Audit (Horse Provided): $225 (limited to 4)
Auditing: $25/day

Monday private sessions by appointment

For sign up, pay, and more info just click here

Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving the Western Horseman the safest most durable Quality American made leather horse tack....... Buckaroo John Brand 
Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand 
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

Bitless Training Video Liberty-Line-Mounted

Farah DeJohnette Horsemanship specializes in a unique Liberty-Line-Mounted approach. Dressage based, True Natural Horsemanship, Balanced seat riding, and Yoga principles are applied. Emphasizing Connection and putting the "FUN" back in Fun-da-Mentals!

Watch Farah's video....Liberty-Line-Mounted: Line Phase. A series showing the progression through all the elements of lateral work and Leg Yielding in a fun, creative way. She uses the Liberty rein for ground play and In Hand work.

I like to see the outline he chooses for himself with this work which is possible when he works in the Liberty rein.

Playing with half steps and collection with Mercury and my liberty rein.

For more training videos click here to subscribe to Farah's DeJohnette Horsemanship youtube channel to watch all of Farah's bitless training video's.

Click here to Purchase your Liberty Rein

The Buckaroo Bridleless Neck Rein Liberty Collar (Cordero) allows you to train your horse to ride without a bridle. Great for relief from the bit! This collar is made from premium Hermann Oak Harness leather for a smooth, rich, "broke in" feel. The rein upper hand part is 5/8" wide and bottom neck part is 1 1/4" wide with just the correct weight. It is very adjustable to fit most any horse. Longest at 79" to shortest at 55". Choice of Plain working Harness (pictured above) or Black Leather. Available in Plain or with engraved antique silver conchas.

Horses do require extensive training before the Buckaroo Bridleless Rein Tack Collar should be used alone.

Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving the
Western Horseman the safest most durable
Quality American made leather horse tack.......Buckaroo John Brand
Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

Going Bitless Online Class with Horse Trainer Farah DeJohnette

Start your New Year off Right..........Sign up for the next Going Bitless online class with horse trainer Farah DeJohnette.

Below is all the information you need to know about this amazing horse riding class.....

The Next Going Bitless online class will start January 1st (with sign up until January 9th) running through January 30th. The first videos will be released for personal practice followed by a Skype Q&A session a week. This class is suitable for beginner (horses and riders) as well as the addition of intermediate exercises in this class for those who have done the class or are further ahead. It is suitable for all disciplines as well.

You will have the week to get signed up and review and practice the first exercises. Additional video exercises will be sent out each week with call recordings for the people who could not attend or to review info. The Skype Q&A answer session will be held Mondays at 7pm EST. If you have not downloaded Skype click here to get it. Otherwise, if you cannot make the calls or can't get Skype, You may post questions to the Blog or Email them through my Website. If you have a Youtube channel, you can send me links to your uploaded videos from your channel for evaluation. If you have another video host you use, that is fine too. I only need to be able to view them through the links to share with me for evaluation. If you need more help with this or have more questions contact me.

The cost of the online clinic will be of $150.00 payable through my site (click here to sign up and pay). If you would prefer to audit the class it is $100.00. This offers you access to all videos exercises and Skype call replays as well as email in questions to be answered on the calls.

Here is how the class will work:

1. Sign up by paying through Paypal. (click here to sign up and pay)

2. Add me through your Skype contacts search Farah.Dejohnette or Farah DeJohnette Horsemanship

3. Once you have signed up and I have your email, You will receive the links to the weeks video lessons.

4. Speak to me on the weekly Skype call to have questions answered and get feedback on videos.

5. Post questions on the blog or email them to me here if you don't or can't access Skype.





Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving
the Western Horseman the safest most durable
Quality American made leather horse tack.......Buckaroo John Brand
Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

Natural Training with Farah DeJohnette and Bridleless riding with Liberty Reins

A How to Video by Natural Horsemanship Trainer Farah DeJohnette on how to use Liberty Reins from Buckaroo Leather. Watch this very instructional video and see how with extensive training and dedication your horse can be bridleless.

"Just got my new Liberty reins from Buckaroo Leather. This is my first time trying out the two different styles. Half yacht rope and leather and all leather. It was fun as always and the horses were AWESOME!"- Farah DeJohnette

Liberty Reins

The Buckaroo Bridleless Neck Rein Liberty Collar (Cordero) allows you to train your horse to ride without a bridle. Great for relief from the bit! This collar is made from premium Hermann Oak Harness leather for a smooth, rich, "broke in" feel. The rein upper hand part is 5/8" wide and bottom neck part is 1 1/4" wide with just the correct weight. It is very adjustable to fit most any horse. Longest at 79" to shortest at 55". Choice of Plain working Harness (pictured) or Black Leather. And Plain or with engraved antique silver conchas. Horses do require extensive training before the Buckaroo Bridleless Rein Tack Collar should be used alone.

Liberty Yacht Rope Rein

The Buckaroo Bridleless Neck Yacht Rope Rein Liberty Collar (Cordero) allows you to train your horse to ride without a bridle. Great for relief from the bit! This collar is made from premium Hermann Oak Harness leather for a smooth, rich, "broke in" feel. The rein upper hand part is 5/8" wide and bottom neck part is 5/8" marine/yacht with just the correct weight. It is very adjustable to fit most any horse. Longest at 79" to shortest at 55". Choice of Plain working Harness (pictured) or Black Leather.

Bridleless Neck Rein Tack Collar

The Buckaroo Bridleless Neck Rein Tack Collar allows you to train your horse to ride without a bridle. Great for relief from the bit! This collar is made from premium Hermann Oak Harness leather for a smooth, rich, "broke in" feel. The rein upper hand part is 5/8" wide and bottom neck part is 1 1/4" wide with just the correct weight. It is very adjustable to fit most any horse. Longest at 79" to shortest at 55". Has studs or no studs on the inside of the collar that kindly encourage your horse to neck rein, turn and stop. They are soft blunt end copper studs, 3 lengths available. OR plain smooth lining or extra soft chap rolled lining. Horses do require extensive training before the Buckaroo Bridleless Rein Tack Collar should be used alone. Choice of Plain working or with engraved antique silver conchas.



Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving the
Western Horseman the safest most durable
Quality American made leather horse tack.......Buckaroo John Brand
Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

Farah DeJohnette Training and Buckaroo leather bitless bridle in action!

Farah DeJohnette Training and Buckaroo leather bitless bridle in action!

Here is a video of, Horse Trainer Farah DeJohnette, working with her horses in her Buckaroo Leather side pull. Farah is able to do anything in her Side pull.

Farah- "it has become my favorite go to piece of equipment."

Watch her train her horse using the Buckaroo Leather Side pull-Bitless Bridle

View more of Farah's Training Video's and visit her blog.



Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving
the Western Horseman the safest most durable Quality
American made leather horse tack.......Buckaroo John Brand
Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

Farah DeJohnette Discusses Bitless Leather Side Pulls

I just read, Farah DeJohnette's new article from her Blogazine. Farah is a skilled horse trainer and her new article gives great insight to why she uses bitless leather bridles. Also, visit her website and follow her on facebook!


Bitless: Why I Do It........

my journey through Horsemanship and Training, I have come to look for better ways to communicate with my horse with equipment and without. The more skilled I have become the less reliant on equipment I have become.

I always used what I'd call "cheap" western Side Pulls from time to time in my training in the past but wasn't into them enough to convert completely. I hadn't found one that compared with my fine english bridle quality. I also was able to ride in halters, leather and rope, but found them a bit sloppy and imprecise for more than a fun hack around some slightly higher level work. Mechanical Hackamores were to me as aggressive if not more then some bits with bicycle chain and wire wrapped with leather in some designs.

When I found the Buckaroo Leather Side Pull and then went on to design the Padded version with John Brand, I had no idea this bridle would become my go to training piece of equipment until I had it in my hand and kept going back to no matter what type of horse I was riding.
I use it on soft horses, heavy strong horses, young horses, jumpers, dressage horses, western horses and more. I don't care if the horse is green or advanced I still use it.

Of course I still use bits because unfortunately, some competitions wont allow you not too, but hopefully that will change soon. I don't feel I need a bit at all though. Give me enough time with a horse and I can get him to ride beautifully in a Side Pull. Let me reiterate "TIME". It took me time to get the heavy pullers riding nicely in the Side Pull but I took that time as opposed to taking the easy way out and going to bigger bits and gadgets. I took the Time to teach them to be more supple, more balanced and strong through proper work and fitness.

Which leads me to another very interesting point. In my conversion of many horses to Bitless for training, I made a discovery about a common problem. Horses opening their mouths during training with the bit. I discovered that mouth opening had more to do will lack of suppleness in the Poll and being on the forehand then it had to do with the bit! How did I find this out? Well while training some known mouth openers with bits, Once I switched them to bitless guess what? When they were resistant, or unbalanced or both, They opened their mouth with NO BIT. When they were stiff in their body and poll, They opened their mouth regardless of whether they had the bit or not.

What does this mean? To me it means that the Poll and jaw are connected (not a new discovery in training) but why are we working on the jaw when the problem is originating in the Poll and body?

Hence back to why I use a Side Pull bitless bridles and Neck straps (Corderos). They allow me to talk directly to the body parts I need to without interfering with other body parts and possibly even DISTRACTING the horse from the area that needs focus. I'm not saying there are not dental problems and bitting issues that can arise from the mouth, but I am saying you can find out if you try a bitless bridle and in fact it may be the answer to horses with dental and mouth issues. Just like when I want to see if the saddle is compromising the horses desire to perform. I ride him bareback or with a bareback pad. If he rides fine, then I know the saddle is a problem. More food for thought from yours truly and my two cents. Also, Don't miss an opportunity to get one of these beautiful bitless bridles right now for 10% off in my Bridle Shop enter promo code "Summer10" at checkout.





Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving
the Western Horseman the safest most durable Quality
American made leather horse tack.......Buckaroo John Brand
Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site