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

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