We asked our customers how they would complete this sentence.
“Compared to other bitless bridles the Nurtural Bitless Bridle is the most…”
Here’s how Nurtural users completed this sentence on Facebook in May, 2011.
Effective. That’s the word I use when describing it compared to other bitless bridles. Andrea Tomich Ohnstad Eliminate “most”…..best value for your money! Trina Kelley Church Reliable Rebecca Hill Whitmire natural Wind Rider reliable/comfortable/adaptable/useful Corinne Dawley perfectly designed Eleanor Sabean effectiveKris TwoOwls Ledzius Humane Kristen McMinn versatile…Its actually designed with Horse and Rider in mind not just one or the other!
Shayne Gray While all of today’s many bridles are undeniably great, there are of course differences in the designs. It’s the bridle that makes the most sense to you that will work for you!
The Bitless Bridle with crossover reinstrap stabilizer is a unique design different from any other bitless bridle.
- Solid Crownpiece to maintain even reins & minimum poll pressure
- Circle-X holds reinstraps consistently as a loose cradle
- Short reinstraps improve control
- Textured noseband hold position & improves control
- Adjustable Circle-X let you fit bridle to YOUR horse!
It is protected by 3 patents: Canadian Patent CA2522524; Worldwide Patent Pending PCT/CA2006/001597; US Patent Pending 12/066,167
The following section is a work in progress – since 2005 we’ve been collecting success stories and when transitioning to new website some content inevitably goes missing. The success stories below are recovered content – in the days ahead we will attempt to locate the photos mentioned in them and hopefully add to this to create the list that never ends!
Thank you Nurtural for giving my horse back.
My horse Ledgie hated every bit I tried. She would fight me every time I tried to put one in her mouth. When I did finally did get her to take a bit she would shake her head and chew on it. I have spent a lot of money trying all types of bits, still nothing would work for her. There had to be something better.
After much reading and looking at bitless bridles, I decided on Nurtural. I received my Impressive Western bridle Tuesday. I followed the directions and fitted it to her. It was great not fighting her to open her mouth. Ledge is a big horse, 16 hands high and 1100 lbs.
My friends were saying I would never be able to control her but I believe in the bridle. I climbed on and away we went. I couldn’t believe it was the same horse, she was not fighting the bit. Ledge was calm on the trail, everybody couldn’t believe it was my horse, she followed every command I would ask her to do, a pleasure to ride. Your bridle completely changed my horse from a handful to a horse that is calmer, handles easy and stands still. Thanks you Nurture for giving my horse back. Mike Clarkson, Georgetown, Ohio
This bridle is the best thing I have every spent money on!
Love it, love it (double love)!
Used the bridle for the first time on Saturday. With some trepidation. DJ seemed to understand it immediately. Rode again yesterday. I am so impressed with it – – he turns, he stops, he seems more relaxed, I don’t think this is my imagination. This is going to change my whole perspective on riding.
Thank you, thank you!
Mary
I think that the bitless bridle has made me a better rider.
I think that the bitless bridle has made me a better rider. I have to keep my hands lower; turn from the middle to direct the horse; ask for the back up in a gentler way. My use of the aids has improved so much that during a recent lesson, Lindsay my coach removed the bridle all together. Georgia and I managed very nice circles at the walk and at the trot with no bridle at all!
… I went to take a picture of Georgia in the field after the ride. She saw me there, and immediately walked over for a nuzzle. It might have been coincidence, but I actually think she came over because she felt closer to me because of the bitless bridle.
Teresa Corrigan, London, Ontario
Strong mare goes better in it the Nurtural than the German silver snaffle …
“… I have three horses and at present I am renting a 25 acre farm where they reside in a beautiful natural environment with pasture, forest and trails in the heart of Langley, B.C.
I have started both of my young horses myself and even though the older mare Angel is quite strong, I use a nurtural bridle on her and I swear she goes better in it than the german silver snaffle bit I used to use on my TB Five Sails (who I switched over to bitless when he was about 16).
The younger of the two VFTH Mascots, Mischief hates a bit and goes so well in the Nurtural bridle that I have become absolutely sold on it. I used a different bitless bridle that Five Sails used years ago (I didn’t know of any other options at the time) however Mischief loves the nurtural bridle and really quite frankly does not like this other one I have.”
Yvonne Allen of Voice For The Horse
Check out all the great stuff at http://www.voiceforthehorse.com/
International Show Jumper goes Nurtural!
Here’s what Kaylen Spooner said:
I schooled Cristallo in his bitless bridle before the Nations Cup yesterday and the USA won. Today (Sept 12, 2010) we schooled bitless, and he was second in the CN international $1,000,000 class.
He is so much happier. It is amazing because he is such a strong horse, we were always trying stronger and stronger bits. When I school him bitless he relaxes and enjoys our work. Then when Richard uses the bit in the show ring he is much more responsive.
Thank you Zoe
Note from Zoe: More and more ccompetitive riders are finding that their horses do better when they train bitless. So while you are waiting for those rules to change – you and your horse can improve your relationship and performance by going Nurtural!
I ride Endurance in my Nurtural!
Check out my blog on endurance training… I’ve shared the Nurtural website with my readers.
Training For Endurance Riding
Endurance Riding – Join me in my journey towards the Tevis Cup! enduranceriding.me
JayaMae Gregory
I’m going to show them that I can race a Standarbred with a Nurtural bitless bridle
If you want to see a racing Standardbred on a Nurtural bitless bridle for the first time :
Nadia James
I could feel the difference right away.
Sherri; I want you to know that I did receive my bitless bridle today.
I also want you to know I am extremely happy with the Quality of the Beta Bridle. This line will out live any of my horses. Plus it is easy to clean with soap and water. The construction is OUTSTANDING. I am now in the process of outfitting all my horses in the Beta line.
The horses just love them and it only took 20 min for them to learn to ride with no bit. I am already seeing a difference in our relationship. They are no longer a slave but rather a partner. I have one mare that has been impossible. She resented being told what to do. She was a keg of dynomite on her best days. I put the bitless on her and I could feel the difference right away. Not only was she listening but she responded to every thing I asked without the usual attitude. She is my favorite horse and I literally came off her back with tears of joy.
Thank you for this from the bottom of my heart. I am now clearing my tack room of all headstalls and bits and Only your bitless will hang in my tack room from this day forward. I will be ordering another one Friday without hesitation.
Thank You, Sandy
Happy horses! Happy Kids! at Broken Arrow Ranch
Hello Zoe!
How are you? We are doing great. Summer is flying by so fast.
How is Nurtural Horse doing? Have you all been busy showing off your product? I hope people are loving your bridles.
As you can see here, all these equines are happy working in their Nurtural bridles. As the youth that ride here use these bridles, they are learning to empathize with their mounts. I love it! I’m sure that as they realize they don’t need bits in the mouths of their horses and ponies, they’ll grow up to be adults and choose the same for their own horses. They won’t have to waste $$ on all kinds of bits!!
Blessings!
Cheryl Van Herk
Yes you can collect!
I purchased a Nurtural Bitless bridle a few months ago from Robin at Skymark, here in Vineland, Ontario. I just wanted you to know how pleased I am with this purchase and to include some pictures of me and my horse Red (AKA Devilish Prospect).
Red is a OTTB who was retrained as a hunter horse and basic dressage. He was two years of the track when I purchased him last August. He had impulsion issues -no whoa- and was very stiff and bracy. He was a very tense individual. We had trouble getting any sort of relaxation from him and he was constantly chomping and fighting the bit. I finally stopped my dressage lessons in frustration and rode in a rope halter for almost two months to break the downward spiral that we were in.
But I wanted the finesse of dressage! It is hard to fine-tune in a rope halter! Someone at my barn had a Nurtural Bitless bridle that was working quite well for her horse and suggested I try one out. So I did.
It took him a while to get the feel of it, not so much for whoa/go/turn, but to ROUND up. And yes, for all those skeptics out there whom I’ve talked with, you can round up a horse and be ‘on the bit’ with no bit! Now, Red does need to properly develop the muscle along the topline of his neck, but he is now very easy to round up, working that hind end and carrying himself in a frame when asked. He no longer is pre-occupied with his mouth and can concentrate on what I am asking of him, giving me things I did not know he knew.
His lower lip actually flops just a little as we go along in a working trot…a far cry from the ‘tight mouth’ that he used to be.
And foam! Yes, we get the ‘lipstick’ foam we all look for as a sign of acceptance and relaxation.
I tried him in a bit twice since beginning to ride bitless, and both rides were a bracy disaster, full of every evasion in the book. Today, in these pictures, you can see how happy he is working bitless.
“This has made a world of difference for my horse! If only we can convince the Dressage community to allow bitless bridles in their shows, because Red and I would love to show them how it is done!” …
Angela Vuyk, Campden, Ontario
UPDATE August 2009:
Just thought I’d give you an update on me and my horse Red. I was so pleased when I saw our pictures on the website!
We had a little in-house dressage show at our barn earlier this summer that was judged by a Certified OEF Coach 2 who routinely judges all over Ontario. As it was just a ‘schooling’ show, we were able to compete in our bitless bridle. For our first time ever showing, we scored a 63% and a 61% for Training Level Tests 1 and 2! Over and over the judge commented on how she could not believe we did this with no bit….. … Not bad for a horse who, when he was in a bit, was bracey, inflexible and tense.
Thanks again for your wonderful product, … Angela Vuyk
Fast and furious cross country course, Dublin, Ireland
Got my lovely Dales Pony Jack a red Nurtural Bitless bridle, must be nearly 3 years ago now. I was only just starting him and he has never had a bit in his mouth. We have progressed along great in your bridle and on Sunday took him off to the McKen Run which can get fairly fast and furious. It is a cross country course that goes on for over 2 hours and twenty horses all out together. Even a donkey would have gotten excited. He was so good.
I was asked twice if I would have any brakes in the bridle and Jack showed them just how good and responsive he was.
We were out for two and a half hours flying over the north County Dublin countryside in the sunshine. By the end of the day when we were all coming home we got some lovely comments about how good he was in his bitless bridle. So just to say thank you. … Liz and Jack
Baby aka Simply Noble in her new bridle
I ordered the Impressive bridle form you last Monday and received it in the mail on Friday. Wow what a beautiful bridle! I am so happy with the quality of the leather and the way it is made. So I just could not wait to try it out on my mare Baby.
Baby is an off the track Standardbred. I’ve ridden her in lots of bits but most recently in just a simple French linked loose ring snaffle. No training issues or problems. I am a professional horse trainer and barefoot trimmer so for me going bitless was not really about the common issues that people seem to have with their horses and bits. Baby is as soft as they come.
I decided to try your bridle all because of a good friend of mine named Rodger Pyle. He has been riding his horses in the Nurtural for about two years I think. I know he also managed to convert another horse trainer by sending her one of your bridles to try and she became a huge fan. I still didn’t pay much attention until this spring when he invited me to ride his mare. She’s no beginners horse and I sure was a bit worried about getting up on this fiery apply with no bit in her mouth but I went ahead and rode her. I rode her a number of times over this spring and early summer and more and more was impressed with the Nurtural’s feel.
Well I got to wondering just how it would be to take my mare out of the bit. She’s soft already and I wondered if I could get her more soft even.
Like I said the bridle came on Friday and I went out and put it on her on Saturday during a work break. I did just as your video showed. Put it on adjusted it and showed her real quick how it worked then got up on her… bareback. Wow was I amazed. She was responding even lighter and faster than in the bit. Didn’t think it was possible.
Well today I took her out on the trails in this bridle and was pleased to find that I really could not tell the difference between the bitless and my old bit. Had a good hard run and no trouble with slowing her back down. No problems getting her to lift her head during grazing breaks no trouble steering stopping etc. The bitless feels exactly like the snaffle in my hands and to me, I am extremely kinesthetic, feel is very important.
Thanks for such a great product and amazing customer service. …Cherie
Jumped, trail ridden and even our recent Parade of Lights
Hello! I just recently purchased my Nurtural Horse bitless bridle at the 2008 Royal Winter Fair, and I have to say… AMAZING!! My horse responded to it beautifully! I have jumped with it, trail ridden with it, and I even took him into our recent Parade of Lights (Christmas Parade).
There were sirens and fireworks and everything and he was amazing. He listened when I asked him to stop, go, turn; you name it, he responded to the bridle. I am planning on trying to get the allowance to show it this bridle. I would like to thank you for creating such a lovely bridle! …Erika Smith and Beau
Problem solved and 13 year old off to the Santa Parade
Hi again! Just thought I would send you an update on Alanna and April – with another picture attached.
Backing up has greatly improved to the point where there are really no issues unless April is just being ‘grumpy’ that day (after all, she is a mare and has ‘her days’). Alanna took your suggestions and they worked great.
Neck reining is getting much better. They are to a point where the times needed to pick up the reins with both hands to correct a turn is very few and far between. I had to attach a picture of this past weekend – they were part of a local parade.
April has just been a different horse since going bitless that we never really thought about changing bridles for the parade. It wasn’t until some people expressed concern if she needed the control because this is the first time we’ve ever done anything like this with her. As you can see in the picture, April was completely relaxed and took the whole thing in stride – to the point of actually dozing off before the parade started moving!
We had absolutely no control issues with her and she was the best behaved horse in the group! Thanks again! ..Cathy (Alanna and April) McDonald, Trenton, ON Canada
and here’s the story behind the story..
Hi – thought I would start with some background first! My 13 year old daughter is the proud owner a beautiful 11 year old, Quarter Horse paint named April. She always had plans of converting her English trained mare to the western neck rein with hopes of showing in Western Trail classes someday and got lots of opinions on how to do this. Most of these included converting her from her current Egg but snaffle to a leverage style of bit. April always fought her bit – throwing her head up and looking like she wanted to spit the thing out all the time – so after having her teeth checked to eliminate that possible problem, we started looking at other bits to switch her to and begin her western training. This spring, just as riding season was getting under way, we were devastated when she came down with Laminitis. A few weeks later, x-rays were done and minor rotation was detected, so riding was off, for the summer at least.
After 2 months April was starting to act like a nut in her small sick paddock,so after consulting with our farrier, we decided to put her back to light arena work. The first ride was just 5 minutes bareback with halter and lead rope. April threw her head up once and looked sort of confused – no bit to fight! That got us talking. The barn owner and another boarder at the barn offered their bitless bridles for us to try. One was the Dr. Cook version and one was yours. To the naked, uneducated eye, both looked fairly the same, but my daughter and I just liked the look of the Nurtural bridle.
I had promised her a new ‘outfit’ when April got better. Compared to the light tan colour of her current saddle, the new saddle’s darker brown colour needed to have a matching headstall and reins. We got walking through the store and came across the Nurtural display. We hadn’t taken the offers we were given to try the bitless bridles yet – but thinking of April’s reaction to the halter/lead rope ride – we took the chance and bought a beta in the brown that matched the new saddle almost perfectly.
We got April all tacked up for her first ride in months and my daughter climbed aboard. If April wasn’t such a unique colour (strawberry roan paint) we would have accused someone of switching horses on us. Neither of us ever saw her so relaxed in our 2 years of owning her! Fast forward to almost 2 months later and she’s up to trotting, loping, and trail riding in her new bitless bridle and you can easily tell both rider and horse are much happier. She hasn’t thrown her head once and most of the fighting against/control issues are gone. We’ve had lots of interested inquiries from other riders at our new barn on going bitless.
My questions are regarding a couple of training issues that existed before the bridle purchase. We asked a coach at our barn but she wasn’t sure if doing it bitless was different – she has no experience with your product and would hate to steer us wrong.
April has always had issues with backing up. My daughter has been working on it by applying constant pressure and once she gets one good step back, she releases the pressure and April gets lots of ‘good girl’ pets. There hasn’t been much improvement though, April still fights this, and my daughter isn’t sure if she’s doing it right. Then there’s the neck reining – can an English trained horse be taught to neck rein in the bitless? I was wondering if your DVDs cover any of this? We’ve had people tell us we need to put her back on a bit, train, then go back to the bitless when she gets it. My daughter is so happy with how she behaves in the bitless she never wants to go back to a bit. She’d continue riding her two-handed English style in that case and put aside her thought of showing in Western Trail classes until she gets another horse already Western trained.
Thanks for a great product! It even got ‘caught’ in it’s first wet trail ride and it was nice to not have to worry about it being the Beta version. … Catherine (with my daughter Alanna and April)
Zoe’s Response…
Thanks for your delightful message! I am so glad that your daughter and April are so happy.
To your question about backing up. That is not a common problem. Usually they back up better. I am not a coach, but has she tried intermittent pressure instead of constant pressure? It is easier for horses to brace against constant pressure. Some trainers talk about ground training and just tickling or annoyinguntil they go forward? Give several little pulls until she steps back, then release and praise her. After she will consistently take one step back, then keep asking until you get 2 or 3. And grow from there.
How does she back up on the ground? You should be able to just pull back with both reins under her chin to lower her head until she backs up. Here, if you need to add the pressure of your hand on or pointing at her chest, she will learn more quickly. When you get good long backups with only the reins on the ground, then work from her back.
There are a selection of videos showing people riding bitless for the first time in our Bitless Challenge Clinics. You can see examples from several different horses. Check the backup on the Appy! http://www.youtube.com/user/nurturalclinics I hope you are on high speed!!
Regarding teaching her to neck rein, I know it should be easy. I have heard from several western trainers who say they can do it in 20 minutes.
There is a wonderful chat group out of the UK with all types of bitless riders from all over the world. If you join the group and ask your questions there, you will get advice from some of the wisest people I have ever met.http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/bitlesshorse/ …Thanks for your message Zoe
Stubborn Quarter Horse & No Sacrifice of Control/Safety
My wife ( an Equine Canada Certified Instructor of Beginners and graduate of the University of Guelph’s Equine Science Certificate Program) and I purchased our first Nurtural Bitless Bridle on Thursday Sept. 4 at Spruce Meadows’ fall Equifair. We tried it out the next afternoon on our Fjord x Quarter Horse Pony. He is a 14.2hh 1000 lb pony with good training but very stiff and inflexible. He took to the new bridle immediately and was much easier to handle , showing none of his stubborn manners. He even gave a good attempt at flexion and kept his head nice and quiet.
The next morning I reset the bridle for my mare, a simple, 5 minute exercise. She is a 10 yr old 1200 lb, 15.3 hh Clydesdale x Thoroughbred who suffered a broken hip as a foal and has, until recently, only been ridden casually as she tends to be very unbalanced at anything but the walk. We are training her up to be a beginner horse for students and have worked to improve her balance by careful exercise and conditioning. She has long standing issues with bits, tossing her head a lot and generally trying to avoid it as much as possible. Without a running Martingale she is almost unridable by anyone not experienced. In the Nurtural bridle she settled down in one circle of the arena to a gentle, rhythmic gait and did not toss her head once¦with no Martingale on. To me she feels like a totally different horse, responsive, quiet and attentive to the lightest of contact. She also went “on bit” something she never does, totally different horse to ride, much more balanced and doing walk trot transitions smoothly and with gentle cues. It also felt as if I had installed power brakes, requiring only a fraction of the pressure I usually need to get a balanced stop.
Sunday we went back to Equifair and bought 3 more for our other horses. Monday we tried one on our 5 year old Westfalen x Thoroughbred gelding. This horse has significant head issues from his short career as a stallion. ( Former owners seemed to prefer a chain instead of proper training.) Pecos is very shy around his poll and will go catatonic and just stand still if too much pressure is put on his mouth or head. We worked him on the ground and within a couple of minutes he was responding quietly and quickly to the most subtle of cues. He also was alert and willing to move, seeming to enjoy his work rather than plodding through. My wife could hardly wait to get one on our 3 year old Canadian Mare. The results were grand. She took almost no time figuring out the cues and actually did a controlled turn on haunches for the first time under saddle. My wife reported her responding to gentle touches and she obviously was steering and stopping as well or better than ever.
We are thrilled with the instant acceptance of the bridle by our horses and by the obvious behavioural improvements. My wife’s comment was she will never put a beginner on any of her horses with a bit now that she has experienced the Nurtural Bridle. No risk of injury to the horse from a student and no sacrifice of control/safety. … Brian and Alison, Blackie, AB
Well now you’ve gone and done it!
Part I: I’ve been working as an animal caregiver at Children’s Fairyland in Oakland, California for 8 years. We’ve always had a pony. Recently we retired our 37 year old Welsh Mountain Pony to a very nice ranch near by. Our new pony, 13 year old Shetland-mix Dori, arrived about 3 months ago. Her previous owner said she was gentle and crazy about getting pets and scratches over the fence.
Just what we were looking for as Fairyland is a park strictly for young children, most who have never seen yet alone touched a real live pony. And Dori lived up to her reputation. She just loves standing at the fence and getting up close and personal pets and the hundreds of kids who’ve been lucky in meeting our new Dori, are absolutely delighted.
Part II: I decided over a month ago to get some additional exercise and lunging in with Dori as our Veterinarian advised Dori needs to loose about 50 pounds. Her previous owner advised Dori absolutely does not like a bit but has worn a side pull bridle, although a bit sassy under saddle. And so began weeks of on line research into bitless bridles. I talked with equine folks I know, I looked at hackamores, various side pulls, cross unders, bosals and so many others. Your Nurtural website came up on one of my many Jeeves and Google searches. But so did all of the others. Night after night, website after website – but I kept coming back to yours. Finally I had to make a decision and after measuring her as advised by your web page, I took a huge, deep breath and ordered your pony sized synthetic BETA with English reins.
Part III: It came last Thursday, pretty quickly too – many thanks for that. I was chomping at the bit to try this new bridle on Dori. I followed your fitting instructions to the letter. I worked her from the ground first and her response was instantaneous. No matter whether I asked her to turn left or right, back up, go forward or whoa, she was highly receptive. And so, after luring me into a false sense of security, Dori allowed me to get on – and I was immediately bucked off. Oh my. I’m a little too old and don’t bounce like I used to. I had forgotten that Dori has not had anyone on her back for many, many months and apparently had an involuntary muscle spasm which caused her back legs to jerk in a quick up and down fashion. Not her fault, I was certain. But I did get back on and things went swimmingly. She was perfect with her new bridle.
Part IV: Today we had Dori back into her Nurtural Bitless bridle. By the way, this bridle looks beautiful. Right outta the box, it looked and smelled like real leather. And on her, it looked even more beautiful. This time I elected to use my seventeen year old volunteer, Micah, who I was pretty sure would bounce much better than I did. Seriously, we took all appropriate safety measures and Dori was unbelievably responsive. Micah was blown away with how she barely had to apply or release pressure before Dori would react. After about 20 minutes of riding in the corral, we moved out to the meadow and did another 20 minutes of lunging. We attached the lunge line to both reinstrap rings on the Nurtural bridle. Dori had a wonderful, responsive and enjoyable exercise session. You could just tell she was having the time of her life.
And so, when I started this email out with “Well now you’ve gone and done it!” – Your bridle is just what you claimed it was. Dori loves it. Her caregivers love it. And it’s natural. Nothing foreign, cold and hard in her sensitive mouth. I really can’t see why anyone would use anything else. And I’m gonna talk about it to anyone who will listen. And maybe even if they won’t. Attached, is a photo I took today at Children’s Fairyland. The kids enjoyed watching Dori and Micah work with her new bridle on and later lunging in the meadow. A terrific day for all of us. Many thanks to all involved in bringing this bridle to Dori.
Yvonne , Animal Caregiver, Children’s Fairyland, Oakland, CA
Skeptical No More on her Canadian Appy “Diamond Jewel”
Hi Gang, Just HAVE to share my first ride experience using the Nurtural Bitless Bridle with you. In a nutshell, I was THRILLED! Here’s my story¦
After almost 3 years of taking lessons and leasing a horse, I purchased my very first horse in November 2007. Being an adult rider (late starter – 40-something), it was important to me to learn all I could about the care and feeding of my black beauty, a 5-year-old Canadian Apply cross named Diamond Jewel. I had read about bitless bridles and was intrigued. Could I develop a solid dressage and trail horse using a bitless bridle?
Just about everyone at the barn thought my new mare was crazy! Early on it looked as though I had my novice hands full. Jewel was a relatively green horse who hadn’t been ridden more than a handful of times in the past 2-3 years and prior to that only had 3 months of training when she was 2 or 3. Essentially, she is green. Broke but green. And very dominant and herd-bound. Don’t let her looks and teenage behaviour fool you though. She is VERY smart.
I saw the Nurtural Bitless Bridle at the CanAm and was convinced by Zoe to try one. Even though I was skeptical, I’ve always been one to give anything new a try and the thought of something so much more humane than a metal bit in my horse’s mouth just seemed the sensible choice to me.
Having only started working with and riding Jewel in March (long story short, she suffered a neck injury in the trailer ride up from the U.S. where I bought her and was seconded to total rest for 4 months), I was a little skeptical about trying the bitless bridle on such a “handful” of a horse. She bucked and kicked in the round pen, threw me when we tried to canter in the pasture and was difficult to bring around to focusing if her herd buddies were out of sight.
Since getting the green light from the vet in March, I’ve lunged Jewel several times, backed her 6 times and yesterday, for the first time, after having lunged without incident, rode in the Nurtural Bitless Bridle.
We started off in the round pen figuring this was a nice, safe and enclosed environment. She couldn’t go far if she decided to get goofy. Alas, Jewel was great! In fact, I think she didn’t know what to do with herself not having a bit to chew on. She just seemed SO happy! I decided to venture out of the round pen on to the country road at a walk. Jewel, again, just seemed so happy and had such a pep in her step.
She was so excited she tried to break into a trot and I applied a half-halt and she stopped dead. In fact, my body jolted forward. I laughed out loud. We proceeded again, this time venturing into a wide-opened pasture. Now, if she was going to try anything funny, it would have been in there. But no. I kept her at a walk and she just continued on happy as could be. We carried on around the perimeter of the pasture, then back on to the road and into a nearby apple orchard. Here, is where she threw me the last time we rode. We entered the apple orchard, walked around a bit and finally, I got up the nerve to ask for a trot. She picked up the trot, lifted her head and actually framed up all on her own! I had no trouble steering her. She responded to the lightest rein aids and, again, stopped on a dime when I asked. I was amazed! The other riders out with us were amazed too! In fact, THEY want to try the Nurtural Bitless Bridle now!
Needless to say, I was OVER-JOYED at the success of our ride and to have such a happy horse. I felt totally confident and in control. The Nurtural Bitless Bridle is everything I’ve read it to be and more! At the end of our ride I do believe, in Jewel’s words, she said, “Thank you Mommy! That was so much FUN!”
I CAN’T WAIT to ride again with Jewel in her new bitless bridle. From my black beauty and the bottom of my heart THANK YOU! Zoe, you were absolutely right! Skeptical no more, …Vanessa, Sydenham, ON
Belgian stops on a dime and gives you a nickel change.
I have a 21 year old Belgian Draft who plowed fields most of his life for the Amish. He is a ex large draft and bits are too small for his mouth.
Put him in this bitless now he stops on a dime and gives you a nickel change. He stop throwing his head around, you have more control with him. He gets used for trail rides at the barn he is at. He was an angel and always has been with his bitless.
My son just loves the control you get with him now he in the bitless. Tig is most happier now. Fantastic Bitless and highly recommended to all my horse friends. I have a two year old colt and once he ready I will be ordering him a bitless as well.
Thanks, Darlene
P.S. Tig has taken blind people on trail rides so I am very confident in this bitless with him having a blind person on his back
Driving Clinic “You forgot to put the bit on your bridle!”
I went to a pretty big driving clinic a few weekends ago. I paid to have a 1/2 hour lesson with the guy who was running it. First he checked over everyone’s tack. He went over my harness and cart from horses rump to head.
When he got to Indigo’s head he said “Uhhh we have a BIG problem” I asked what it was he exclaims “You forgot to put the bit on your bridle!” I laughed, he must have thought I was crazy. I explained and he seemed very interested, asking me questions such as how it made my horse turn or if the horse ran away how would I stop it.
In the end he was very impressed and seemed to think I was some sort of magical horsewoman for driving my horse bitless and preventing her from “running away”.
Sydney Kotow
Collects and will elevate his front. I’ll never use a bit again
Just wanted to let you know that your bridle is priceless. We have a 15 yo gelding that has been with us 5 years. He was always resistant when asked to do any maneuver no matter how simple. He had very stiff movements and was heavy in the front end, he also was resistant to break at the pole and backing was just ugly.He wasn’t a problem horse, just one that seemed uncoordinated. He seemed afraid of contact with the bit, as he would get nervous and make a huffing sound when asked for the slightest bit of give. So, we just let the kids plod around on him in the arena with a halter on him. If he was ridden on the trail we put a snaffle on him and just let him follow — didn’t ask anything of him.
OK, so I bought your bridle and the very first time I put it on him he softened. We have been using it for a month now. His backing is lovely, giving and breaking at the pole is effortless for him. His movements are much more coordinated and light. He collects and will elevate his front. He moves on the forehand and on the haunch, something he had great difficulty with before. He moves like a completely different horse. Everyone that sees him is amazed at the difference.
Woodrow is now a joy to ride. Thank You, I’ll never use a bit again. Star
“Holy S**T! There’s no bit in her mouth!!!”
I have this lady I have known for a few years at a barn I work for. She got bucked off her mare two summers ago and hasn’t really got back on her because the bucking problem was physical problems with the mares back. Anyway she has lost a lot of confidence in her riding ability. I was riding my horse in the indoor arena and told the lady when I was done she could ride her.
Now she told me if she started back riding her mare regularly she was going to try bitless. Her mare is really well behaved and I have no doubt in my mind that she would do amazing bitless since she displays the typical headshaking. Anyway fast forward, she’s riding Indigo around the arena and was doing really well. After about 10 or 15 minutes her tension melted away and Indigo plodded around like she normally does in the arena. My friend was saying how well she listened to leg and especially rein. She patted Indigo on the neck and looks down and says “HOLY S**T! THERE’S NO BIT IN HER MOUTH!!!” and just about falls over backwards, like she couldn’t believe she was controlling this huge animal without a bit and hadn’t even noticed the whole ride. Hahahaha, I had to laugh.
So she says for sure she will try the bridle on her mare when she gets back to riding her, Sydney
Tried it — Loved it!!
I ordered one of your beta, bitless bridles with great anticipation! It arrived in 4 days – excellent service by the way. Anyway, I put it on my 9 year old Paint mare and she was perfect the first time out. Her stops were perfect and she steers better in your bitless than she did bitted. Her body bends easily into her turns and are very crisp and fluid. I am so thrilled!
I responded to your e-mail shortly after the purchase saying I wasn’t addressing any problems with her. She is a very kind and well behaved girl although she has a big engine and loves to go fast, she is very controllable. I was wrong about no problems however. As I said her steering is better in the bitless and her head tossing stopped. That’s it, it just stopped. She always fought the bit a little and mouthed it when I asked her to back. She would back up but frequently went crooked. That stopped too. The first time in the BB I asked her to back and she just tucked her head and backed up straight as a stick. The ultimate test was running a barrel pattern with her. Her favorite thing to do! She steered easily at speed, turned each barrel without tucking her head, (probably to get away from the pressure I was putting on the bit to turn her,) ran for home and stopped without hesitation at the end. A very smooth run!
I purchased another brand BB without the x-circle, some time ago. It was not satisfactory at all. My horse found the sliding crown piece very annoying and I had to keep constant slight pressure on the reins to keep them from bowing at the cheek. It just didn’t work well at all.
I will also add that I am able to communicate with animals. A tremendous gift that I am so grateful for. Her input is, that sometimes the bit hurt her. Also, because she would over flex when she collected while wearing a bit, it would impede her breathing somewhat which made her nervous. Those are of no concern to her in your bitless bridle. She is much more relaxed in your BB. I guess if an animal can endorse a product Oree just has. 🙂
Thanks for this wonderful product. …Elizabeth and Oree
This I Believe Is The Best I Have Had To Date
Hi Zoe & Gerry,
I wish to thank you for introducing my wife and I to the No-Bit Bridle. I first tried it on my working mare a Tennessee Walker and then put it on her 2 year old son.
I was amazed to find that it took about 20 minutes for him to catch on to the neck reining. Since we teach our horses to work cattle and do tricks, we are always searching for the best possible means to subdue any and all artificial restraints and this I believe is the best I have had to date.
Our horses are all Tennessee Walkers so they range in size from 15 HH to 17.5HH. We usually use a soft hackamore for our working horses but I find this No-Bit Bridle even gentler on them and quite easily adjusted to fit other horses during changeovers thus not requiring to carry a second bridal in the saddlebag because one horse likes a different nose pad than another.
Once again I wish to thank you for introducing me to the bridle. Here is a picture of Rohan, thanking you for his Nurtural Bitless Bridle. …Heather and Bill
Arabian Mare: What can I say??? WOW!
I’ve been meaning to drop you a quick note to comment on the bitless bridle I bought a few weeks ago – but guess what – I’m out riding so much I don’t seem to have time 🙂 I have an Arabian mare (Sheza Desert Rose) who is 15 years old (and is unfortunately still green).
What this bridle has done for myself and my horse is nothing short of amazing – wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t experience it first hand!
The first couple of times I rode with it, my horse was unsure (as I was as well) of what to expect. Each time since then has been a positive building block. With a bit, Rosie would start “dancing” even before you got on her back. She would be concentrating so hard on the piece of metal in her mouth, she could think of not much else. I was definitely not excited about riding her alone and felt very much out of control sometimes.
With this AMAZING bridle, there is no dancing, in fact, sometimes we just sit in the middle of our ride and chill out. This was never heard of before 🙂 I’m riding her alone, nearly every evening without any issues at all. She no longer spooks like she used to, what you said on your website is so true – horse spooks and jumps, rider grabs reins to balance, hitting bit in horses mouth, escalation from there. There is absolutely none of that now.
Everyone is absolutely amazed at the change it’s made for both of us. She puts her nose in the bridle and is so calm. I can’t thank you enough!! I look forward to someday getting a leather bridle, do they come in black? Also, I’m wanting one for each of my 3 other horses 🙂 Can’t wait for my daughter to try it out, but I’m pretty possessive, if I let her use it when we ride, I have to use a bitfull bridle – NO THANKS!! Yours truly, … Laurie
Communication is now clear between horse and rider
I finally got a chance to write. I have had my bb for about two weeks, but due to nasty ice at the farm where I board, I was not able to ride right away. Finally, this past Sunday and Thursday, I got to try out the bridle. Here is how it went.
Sunday, Feb 23rd.
I put on the bridle and Raven seemed normal and not bothered. I had already played with the adjustments a few days before so it went on quick. I brought her up to the ring and mounted. Nothing, she stood quiet and calm. I asked for a walk and started to “test the steering and brakes”. I could tell she was thinking “hey, this is different”, but no fuss or anything. Perfect stops, turns, etc. My instructor came up, mounted on “Cougar” who needed some work and she made the comment that Raven looked very, very relaxed. I brought her up to the trot and she did her normal “camel head”, but there seemed less resistance when I asked for her head to come down.
After about two trips around she seemed to be responding and her head was coming in and she was starting to soften some when her hind foot hit the one patch of ice still in the ring, under the snow. She was startled, I was startled. However, I had no problems bringing her back to an immediate walk. After that she wanted nothing to do with that side of the ring and was short stepping and kitty hoping along that side. Again, I found I had complete control. My instructor suggested to go out on the trails. Couger had been bucking off trail riders lately, so he needed some “trail time”. Off we went. Within minutes, Raven was completely relaxed and didn’t mind me taking up some contact (she always resisted in a bit).
It wasn’t too long before Cougar pulled his nonsense and tried to unseat my instructor. Raven simply stood and waited for Cougar to finish. She barely acknowledged his antics. Since I figured Cougar wasn’t done arguing, I asked Raven many times to stop and put distance between us and him. Imagine, I asked a 16 had Appendix QH to stop and let her equine companion walk on without her. I don’t think I could have done it with her snaffle. She would have jigged, fussed, opened her mouth, tilted her– anything to avoid that request via the bit. Now, the message came in clear. I had a firm hold on the reins, but nothing unreasonable. The second I released the pressure, she walked on. Cougar did try several more times to buck and rear, and each time Raven barely twitched an ear at him. I have to say it was the most pleasant trail ride I had had with her at that time. Too bad I couldn’t say the same for my instructor.
Thursday, Feb 28.
I came to the barn by 3pm and discovered several of the ladies were going out on a trail ride. It was a nice day and I was happy to go. Again, Raven seemed super calm went I mounted up, standing quietly with loose reins while waiting for all the riders. Off we went, with her second in line. This time the lead horse was smaller than her and he didn’t have the same stride she does. Thus I was constantly asking for her to shorten stride so as to not be right on his rump. The last time I went out with these ladies, I had the same issue, but also had a bit in her mouth. Back then, there was a lot of fussing, head twisting, mouth gaping, jigging– all the usual I can’t understand you and this thing annoys me” stuff. I didn’t feel like I had complete control.
Now, with the bb, though she was not the happiest to shorten stride, she did so. There was few minor head flings here and there, but she did as requested. I truly felt I had complete control if she were to bolt or get nervous. And nervous she was when our trail lead out near some homes. I don’t think she was a big fan of the road and boy was she ready turn tail and run back to the woodland path. I didn’t let her. Yes, she argued some, but we could now “talk clearly” and she stayed under my control. I realized not long after she was accepting good contact and was even bending at the poll and moving forward in a big stride. I was never able to get her to that in the ring with her bit except on draw reins and drop nose band– and here we were on wood path and she was doing it.
All I can say is “AMAZING”. Both times, Raven came back to the barn relaxed and happy. She was doing such funny things as licking her mouth and her lead rope tie ring. After the second trail ride, she nuzzled my head and ears. I really think she is liking the experience. Well, I know for sure that I am.
Thanks again for making a truly inspired product. ….Carla
Abused Mare and Poof! She was a different horse
First let me apologize for taking so long to write. I ordered your bridle for my husband for Christmas. His mare cam from an abusive background and although she rode well she had a bad habit of giving a small buck after he was on her for 10 minutes.
We had tried everything, different pads, saddles, etc. nothing made a difference. She could not be ridden bareback as she would buck or kick out when you tried to get on. Well, we put the new bridle on her and Poof! she was a different horse. She flexes with no problem and she seems to actually enjoy it.
She no longer kicks out or bucks. She can be ridden bareback. You can ride her for hours without any bad behavior. Thank you so much for this wonderful bridle. Belinda
I can’t thank you enough for the great results this bridle has brought to us. Mel is so special, she came to me about 300 lbs under weight. We did not know then that she was bred. We got her in August, the vet told us how to fatten her up. In Jan he came to see her and told us she would foal sometime in April or May.
We were shocked. We did not know she had been with a stallion. Well, to make a long story short, on April 9, 2007 she blessed us with a beautiful, healthy little chestnut filly. We named her Melody’s Spring Miracle, Spring for short. I just got a new job and hopefully soon I can order the the Nurtural trainer to use on her. She leads pretty good but can be stubborn like her mom.
I don’t plan to ever use a bit on her. I can’t stand the thought of putting a piece of hard cold metal in her mouth. … Belinda