Post by Sue on Nov 23, 2005 9:00:51 GMT
www.bitlessequitation.co.uk/
Introduction:
This site aims to enlighten visitors about the benefits of riding bitless. Whether you use Dr Cook's Bitless Bridle ™, a hackamore, bosal or sidepull, we have come to recognise that riding or driving our equines in a bit causes pain and discomfort, affects breathing and subsequently their welfare, performance and our safety.
We believe to achieve optimal harmony when riding your horse, pony or donkey, a sound communication method is best employed. It should be humane, effective and compatible with the physiology of the ridden animal, free from undesirable side effects. The Bitless Bridle fits these criteria and can easily be used by a rider of any age and skill level on a horse of any age, temperament and level of training.
Benefits.........
KINDER CONTROL: No more metal in the mouth. Man has been controlling the horse by applying pressure in one of the most sensitive parts of the horse's body. 'Natural Horsemanship', is now more readily available to everyone with the introduction of the Bitless Bridle. The horse is happier, performance improved and the partnership with man more willing.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Better "brakes". At no time can the rider be denied control. Your horse cannot "get-the-bit-between-its-teeth". With this bridle, a rider cannot inflict pain.
POLL PRESSURE, NOT POLL FLEXION: The Bitless Bridle controls by non-painful pressure on the poll, cheek and nose by a double loop system. It allows for a more natural position of the head and neck. Control is no longer dependent on painful mouth pressure, poll flexion and partial asphyxia. The Bitless Bridle pushes, whereas the bit pulls.
MORE OXYGEN AND MORE ENERGY: Because your horse is not so flexed at the poll, which obstructs the airway at the throat, and because it is not retracting its tongue behind the bit, which causes the soft palate to rise and further obstruct the airway, it obtains more oxygen and, therefore, has more energy. Because it no longer "fights the bit" it wastes less energy and has more for performance.
LIBERATE THE NECK: Riding bitless permits freedom of the neck so essential for any athlete. The neck of a horse that leans on the bit tends to be tight and rigid. Stiffness of gait follows and the power, grace and rhythm of a horse's natural movement is forfeited.
INCREASE CONCENTRATION: The bit constitutes an impediment to performance. It initiates digestive system responses (salivation, chewing, tongue and palate movement) which are counterproductive. Eliminating the bit, allows the horse's nervous system to concentrate on breathing and galloping, rather than trying to respond simultaneously to signals that are diametrically opposed to exercise. Neither human nor horse should be asked to eat AND exercise.
GET AN EDGE: The Bitless Bridle improves a horse's balance. It lightens the forehand, lengthens the stride, strengthens impulsion and increases speed. Improved performance can be anticipated in all types of activity from dressage to racing.
REDUCE THE RISK OF BREAKDOWNS: A horse that is less heavy on the forehand puts less strain on the bones, joints, tendons and ligaments of the forelegs.
NO MORE "EVASION-OF-THE-BIT": Banishing the bit is the obvious cure for the common and all too familiar problems that are known to be caused by the bit. It may also alleviate a number of problems that are not currently associated with the bit; e.g., head shaking, flipping the palate; epiglottal entrapment and bleeding from the lungs.
THROW AWAY THE TONGUE-TIES: These additional encumbrances are now rendered obsolete, as asphyxiating tongue and soft palate movement is no longer initiated.
DO YOU HAVE A HEADSHAKING HORSE? A bit can trigger facial neuralgia and this, in turn, can be the cause of head shaking.
DOES YOUR HORSE "SWALLOW-ITS-TONGUE"? This is caused by the horse retracting its tongue away from the bit.
DORSAL DISPLACEMENT OF THE SOFT PALATE? Also known as 'flipping the palate', and 'choking-up' this results from the above and from horse's attempts to eat and exercise simultaneously.
DOES YOUR HORSE "MAKE A NOISE"? Retraction of the tongue lifts the soft palate, narrows the airway, and causes the horse to 'roar'.
IS YOUR HORSE HEAVY ON THE FOREHAND? The bit unbalances your horse and reduces impulsion.
DO YOU TEACH RIDING AND WISH TO PREVENT A NOVICE FROM DAMAGING THE MOUTH OF YOUR FULLY-TRAINED HORSE?
Introduction:
This site aims to enlighten visitors about the benefits of riding bitless. Whether you use Dr Cook's Bitless Bridle ™, a hackamore, bosal or sidepull, we have come to recognise that riding or driving our equines in a bit causes pain and discomfort, affects breathing and subsequently their welfare, performance and our safety.
We believe to achieve optimal harmony when riding your horse, pony or donkey, a sound communication method is best employed. It should be humane, effective and compatible with the physiology of the ridden animal, free from undesirable side effects. The Bitless Bridle fits these criteria and can easily be used by a rider of any age and skill level on a horse of any age, temperament and level of training.
Benefits.........
KINDER CONTROL: No more metal in the mouth. Man has been controlling the horse by applying pressure in one of the most sensitive parts of the horse's body. 'Natural Horsemanship', is now more readily available to everyone with the introduction of the Bitless Bridle. The horse is happier, performance improved and the partnership with man more willing.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Better "brakes". At no time can the rider be denied control. Your horse cannot "get-the-bit-between-its-teeth". With this bridle, a rider cannot inflict pain.
POLL PRESSURE, NOT POLL FLEXION: The Bitless Bridle controls by non-painful pressure on the poll, cheek and nose by a double loop system. It allows for a more natural position of the head and neck. Control is no longer dependent on painful mouth pressure, poll flexion and partial asphyxia. The Bitless Bridle pushes, whereas the bit pulls.
MORE OXYGEN AND MORE ENERGY: Because your horse is not so flexed at the poll, which obstructs the airway at the throat, and because it is not retracting its tongue behind the bit, which causes the soft palate to rise and further obstruct the airway, it obtains more oxygen and, therefore, has more energy. Because it no longer "fights the bit" it wastes less energy and has more for performance.
LIBERATE THE NECK: Riding bitless permits freedom of the neck so essential for any athlete. The neck of a horse that leans on the bit tends to be tight and rigid. Stiffness of gait follows and the power, grace and rhythm of a horse's natural movement is forfeited.
INCREASE CONCENTRATION: The bit constitutes an impediment to performance. It initiates digestive system responses (salivation, chewing, tongue and palate movement) which are counterproductive. Eliminating the bit, allows the horse's nervous system to concentrate on breathing and galloping, rather than trying to respond simultaneously to signals that are diametrically opposed to exercise. Neither human nor horse should be asked to eat AND exercise.
GET AN EDGE: The Bitless Bridle improves a horse's balance. It lightens the forehand, lengthens the stride, strengthens impulsion and increases speed. Improved performance can be anticipated in all types of activity from dressage to racing.
REDUCE THE RISK OF BREAKDOWNS: A horse that is less heavy on the forehand puts less strain on the bones, joints, tendons and ligaments of the forelegs.
NO MORE "EVASION-OF-THE-BIT": Banishing the bit is the obvious cure for the common and all too familiar problems that are known to be caused by the bit. It may also alleviate a number of problems that are not currently associated with the bit; e.g., head shaking, flipping the palate; epiglottal entrapment and bleeding from the lungs.
THROW AWAY THE TONGUE-TIES: These additional encumbrances are now rendered obsolete, as asphyxiating tongue and soft palate movement is no longer initiated.
DO YOU HAVE A HEADSHAKING HORSE? A bit can trigger facial neuralgia and this, in turn, can be the cause of head shaking.
DOES YOUR HORSE "SWALLOW-ITS-TONGUE"? This is caused by the horse retracting its tongue away from the bit.
DORSAL DISPLACEMENT OF THE SOFT PALATE? Also known as 'flipping the palate', and 'choking-up' this results from the above and from horse's attempts to eat and exercise simultaneously.
DOES YOUR HORSE "MAKE A NOISE"? Retraction of the tongue lifts the soft palate, narrows the airway, and causes the horse to 'roar'.
IS YOUR HORSE HEAVY ON THE FOREHAND? The bit unbalances your horse and reduces impulsion.
DO YOU TEACH RIDING AND WISH TO PREVENT A NOVICE FROM DAMAGING THE MOUTH OF YOUR FULLY-TRAINED HORSE?