hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647 
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Post by hugs on Nov 16, 2014 21:46:11 GMT
www.ebay.com/itm/Rope-Bitless-Bridle-Hackamore-Indian-Bosal-Equestrian-HORSE-TACK-POCKET-HALTER-/251621910896?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a95d5a970I hope you can see the picture of this bitless nose piece. Its the kind where the reins attach to rings which criss cross under the nose and bind the mouth shut in essence if pulled too tight. I have one to go with a pair of black braided reins which are really comfortable but I want to make it so that there is a limit to how tight it can go around the horse's nose/mouth. Maybe even make it a fixed diameter altogether. I thought it would be more comfortable than an equally priced bosal because the really nice bosals are expensive. Winter is not a good time for metal bits. Sure I can warm them up before putting them in the horse's mouth but then the ends are going to get cold. I just don't like the idea of a metal bit and winter. How would you fix this bitless to keep it from being a suffocation hazard? ![]()
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Nov 16, 2014 23:24:05 GMT
And what do you think of rubber or plastic bits?
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Lipizzan
Junior Member
Europe, Croatia
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Lipizzan on Nov 17, 2014 7:43:22 GMT
Rubber bits are great, only if horse has a habbit of chewing a bit in his mouth, it won't last you to long.
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Nov 17, 2014 13:08:16 GMT
Thanks Lipizzan, I was thinking that too. I bought a hollow copper bit which was much larger around than the usual and non of my horses liked it. Have you found that the rubber bits are going to be a problem that way too? They don't seem too much larger but then I'm not carrying it in my mouth. I wonder if I ought to measure the gap between their teeth and the diameter of the bit?!
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Post by horselover4life on Nov 17, 2014 17:00:21 GMT
It is not just the gap between their teeth but the space between tongue and roof of the mouth you need to be concerned with.
I find many horses have a tight fit with say a black rubber pelham mouthed bit, but that same mouthpiece in metal fits well, without issue.
You must account for the thickness of the tongue which averages a little more than a inch thick sitting inside the mouth, between teeth and under the upper palate. The horse needs to be able to swallow with a bit in the mouth and if you are flexing the head at the poll also account for that needed space when the jaw moves during that fexion...
You may not like the idea of a metal bit in winter...stick it under your armpit for a minute or two, between your thighs or even your hands...it warms enough they not fuss...
They also make bit warmers if you want to get fancy about it...my armpit works just fine TY.
Not every horse likes the taste or texture of a rubber bit either...I've known a few who would not accept any type of rubber bit but would willingly open and take in metal mouthed bits with no problem.
I think a cold bit is a cold bit regardless of the material it is made from...in winter just take the extra 2 minutes to warm it before bitting up and bridling....
jmo...
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Post by horselover4life on Nov 17, 2014 17:27:48 GMT
h u g s...that link you gave shows near exactly what everyone is touting of a "Dr. Cooks Bitless Bridle" laying down., or laid out on a table.
It is you the rider who controls how tight or not that entire headstall becomes.
I happened to buy one {Dr. Cooks} recently because our horse was beat in the mouth, face and head and is afraid...til we finish working out "those details" bitless without needing hackamore action is what we went with. {our horse was a rescue, a starvation & cruelty case}
I can tell you with what I see with my bride there is always a slight pressure from the rein weight, but it is not so great that it hurt the horse or causes any discomfort. I have the very lightest nylon reins I could find, but them just draping puts a tiny amount of pressure to the under jaw cross straps...but because something lies against the body it is not going to cause the animal distress.
If I applied unrelenting pressure through the reins I bet I would have a very different reaction than I do to tiny finger movements to ask for the horse to turn, stop or back...
If you apply no pressure...then nothing you use is going to give what you I think are asking about. A halter applies pressure if you think about it....just wearing it is weight on and to the face.
You're right...bitless of any type can be cruel just as a steel or rubber bit can be to the horse.
Knowing you and your carefulness, a very severe bit or sharp cable could be put to your horse and not cause pain or hurt...you won't have it, period. 
What you are so concerned with with the bit ends, "the cold"...I kind of equate it to wearing pierced earrings in winter. Your body keeps the metal post warm even though there is a backing piece and front decoration...does it really "freeze" your ear off... 
I think you are more concerned than you need to be.
As you are finding out, your Peaches is a lot tougher than you think she is, able to do and withstand a lot more than you give her the chance to do, proving to you it isn't such a big deal or thing to her...
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Nov 17, 2014 23:24:05 GMT
You're right about the low probability I'll end up clamping her mouth shut, I mean given the length of the bridle pieces, a person would really have to pull back a long way. Okay, won't concern myself about that anymore   I get what you're saying about earrings but the difference is that my ears aren't wet. Every winter it gets so cold my nose, not all that moist, freezes shut. But you know, a horse has a higher temperature than I do too. Okay, I'm good, thank you  |
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I get what you're saying about earrings but the difference is that my ears aren't wet. Every winter it gets so cold my nose, not all that moist, freezes shut. But you know, a horse has a higher temperature than I do too.