The story behind the LightRider Bridle by Cynthia Cooper
I designed the LightRider bitless bridle in 2006 because I wanted a comfortable bridle for my own horses. I'd educated them without a bit, but I felt that available bitless options lacked the feel and lightness I was looking for.
I modifed and played around with existing bitless bridles, coming up with the idea of a soft releasing chinstrap that was unique at the time. Most scrawbrig and indian bosal chinstraps continue to tighten with pressure, but I used a soft flat nylon strap that stops at a snug point.
My horses were very happy with my original rope style LightRider, so then I had friends and riding students test it. This was successful so I started to sell them online.
Because of the prejudice against bitless bridles, I could see the need for a bitless bridle which looked like conventional tack. I refined the design and developed six different styles to suit various equestrian disciplines.
The rope bridles (Natural & Performer) are ideal for pleasure trail and endurance, while the English, Euro, Dressage, Western and Stockhorse styles cater for traditional hacking, showing, dressage and western events.
As the design evolved I also made a bitless noseband that could be added to an existing bridle, enabling riders to convert their own bridle to bitless very affordably, while making use of a perfectly good bridle that fits their horse.
My background as a Natural Horsemanship Instructor helped me test the bridle on a variety of horses and in many different situations. In doing so, I discovered it was suited to many more applications than I originally thought.
For example, young horses can be started directly in the LightRider Bitless, giving them a much more pleasant experience and the ability to focus on learning without the pressure of a bit.
Older horses who braced against the rein respond so much better to bitless, and horses who hadn't ever been ridden bitless before accepted the bridle with very little re-education beyond checking they would respond to all the aids in an enclosed area.
I'e had many comments from riders and experienced trainers about how 'light' on the reins the LightRider Bridle allows you to be. It lives up to its name.
The unique releasing chinstrap, which is solely there for stabilising the noseband, allows very precise communication. It also has a lifting action under the jaw which encourages proper flexion and self-carriage, especially when used with a light rhythmic feel on the reins.
As my online shop grew and worldwide sales of the LightRider steadily increased, I chose to focus on my retail business rather than work as an instructor.
Running my Natural Horse World online store is incredibly satisfying, and with every sale of a LightRider bitless bridle I know there will be another more comfortable horse in the world, and therefore a happier rider.
Designing and selling a bitless bridle that works so well has given me a true sense of purpose. It gives me joy to feel that I've been a part of improving the lives of horses, and riders who choose to go bitless.
Click here to see more benefits of this unique bridle.
I modifed and played around with existing bitless bridles, coming up with the idea of a soft releasing chinstrap that was unique at the time. Most scrawbrig and indian bosal chinstraps continue to tighten with pressure, but I used a soft flat nylon strap that stops at a snug point.
My horses were very happy with my original rope style LightRider, so then I had friends and riding students test it. This was successful so I started to sell them online.
Because of the prejudice against bitless bridles, I could see the need for a bitless bridle which looked like conventional tack. I refined the design and developed six different styles to suit various equestrian disciplines.
The rope bridles (Natural & Performer) are ideal for pleasure trail and endurance, while the English, Euro, Dressage, Western and Stockhorse styles cater for traditional hacking, showing, dressage and western events.
As the design evolved I also made a bitless noseband that could be added to an existing bridle, enabling riders to convert their own bridle to bitless very affordably, while making use of a perfectly good bridle that fits their horse.
My background as a Natural Horsemanship Instructor helped me test the bridle on a variety of horses and in many different situations. In doing so, I discovered it was suited to many more applications than I originally thought.
For example, young horses can be started directly in the LightRider Bitless, giving them a much more pleasant experience and the ability to focus on learning without the pressure of a bit.
Older horses who braced against the rein respond so much better to bitless, and horses who hadn't ever been ridden bitless before accepted the bridle with very little re-education beyond checking they would respond to all the aids in an enclosed area.
I'e had many comments from riders and experienced trainers about how 'light' on the reins the LightRider Bridle allows you to be. It lives up to its name.
The unique releasing chinstrap, which is solely there for stabilising the noseband, allows very precise communication. It also has a lifting action under the jaw which encourages proper flexion and self-carriage, especially when used with a light rhythmic feel on the reins.
As my online shop grew and worldwide sales of the LightRider steadily increased, I chose to focus on my retail business rather than work as an instructor.
Running my Natural Horse World online store is incredibly satisfying, and with every sale of a LightRider bitless bridle I know there will be another more comfortable horse in the world, and therefore a happier rider.
Designing and selling a bitless bridle that works so well has given me a true sense of purpose. It gives me joy to feel that I've been a part of improving the lives of horses, and riders who choose to go bitless.
Click here to see more benefits of this unique bridle.
