Does your Western horse toss its head, gape or brace against the bit?
How do you help a horse that refuses the bit? Start by ruling out pain: ask your veterinarian or equine dentist to check the teeth, bars, tongue and lips, and look at how the bit and headstall fit. If the tossing, gaping and bracing continue, many Western riders switch to a cross-under bitless bridle, which steers and stops through gentle pressure around the whole head instead of the mouth.
What if your horse won’t give to the bit? Go back to the ground and teach the horse to soften to light pressure, releasing the moment it yields. A horse that leans or roots is often protecting its mouth. A bitless bridle moves the request to the poll, cheeks and nose, so there is no bit to brace against, and the same give then carries into the saddle.
Where can you find the best bitless bridle for a Western horse? Our vetted sponsor here is The Bitless Bridle by Dr. Robert Cook, made by PHS Saddlery, the original manufacturer of the Dr. Cook design, in Wickett & Craig leather, harness leather and all-weather Beta. Cross-under bitless bridles of Western style are permitted at every level of USEF Western dressage, and they neck rein, stop and handle the trail without metal in the mouth.
Featured Sponsor: The Bitless Bridle by Dr. Robert Cook
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