Bitless Basics
Some basics of bitless riding that were filmed during Cynthia's presentation at Agfest 2011. Apologies for the background noise - helicopters were just one of the distractions the horses had to cope with.
Bitless Collection
See how soft vertical flexion and a responsive relaxed horse can lead to true collection via self carriage.
In this first video, Instructor Suzanne Bellette with her colourful Paint gelding, Tombay, shows how this is achieved with the LightRider Bitless Noseband and appropriate education.
Tombay's ridden education started with a rope halter. Once Suzanne moved onto using the bit her horse developed a history of head and neck problems which on occasion led to front end lameness. Suzanne now puts this down to pain and discomfort from the bit.
After numerous body work treatments and continuous use of the bit there was no consistent improvement so she went back to using the halter.
Searching for a solution that would give her the finesse of the bit yet no pain to avoid, she added the LightRider Bitless Noseband to her bridle and found it worked brilliantly with no more recurring front end soreness and a happier bitless horse.
In this first video, Instructor Suzanne Bellette with her colourful Paint gelding, Tombay, shows how this is achieved with the LightRider Bitless Noseband and appropriate education.
Tombay's ridden education started with a rope halter. Once Suzanne moved onto using the bit her horse developed a history of head and neck problems which on occasion led to front end lameness. Suzanne now puts this down to pain and discomfort from the bit.
After numerous body work treatments and continuous use of the bit there was no consistent improvement so she went back to using the halter.
Searching for a solution that would give her the finesse of the bit yet no pain to avoid, she added the LightRider Bitless Noseband to her bridle and found it worked brilliantly with no more recurring front end soreness and a happier bitless horse.
The LightRider Bridle passes tests with excellence!
Cinch Magazine - an online magazine based in Canada, have been running independent tests on various bitless bridles including the LightRider Biothane Stockhorse Bridle.
Conclusion: The LightRider is a surprisingly effective bridle in an easy to clean, light weight package. It is one of the gentlest bitless bridle designs, but yields fantastic results. It is well-adapted to schooling, hacking or endurance ventures. Read the whole test result and scores given here. This short video shows one of the 'testers' putting the bridle through its paces on her Haflinger.
Conclusion: The LightRider is a surprisingly effective bridle in an easy to clean, light weight package. It is one of the gentlest bitless bridle designs, but yields fantastic results. It is well-adapted to schooling, hacking or endurance ventures. Read the whole test result and scores given here. This short video shows one of the 'testers' putting the bridle through its paces on her Haflinger.
Video Competition Winners
The LightRider Video competition attracted some lovely entries and it was hard to choose from three out of the top five I had shortlisted.
But the judges finally awarded the prize to Beck Hughes from Bendigo, Victoria because her video showed variety, some nice close-ups of the LightRider Bitless Noseband and we liked the editing and music too.
The other two videos we awarded highly commended to were: by Helen at Tashorse in Tasmania – we loved the editing, and Curtis from Montana in the USA – we loved the scenery and the accolades!
But the judges finally awarded the prize to Beck Hughes from Bendigo, Victoria because her video showed variety, some nice close-ups of the LightRider Bitless Noseband and we liked the editing and music too.
The other two videos we awarded highly commended to were: by Helen at Tashorse in Tasmania – we loved the editing, and Curtis from Montana in the USA – we loved the scenery and the accolades!
Classical Bitless Dressage Early Training
This video demonstrates how nicely a young horse can go when educated with a bitless bridle.
Owner/instructor, Shelly says: "This is my 4yo Clydy x Andy gelding GP Amadeus (Clan). My goal with him is to train him to high level dressage bitless, treeless and barefoot. The bridle I am using is a Bitless Dressage type side pull, the saddle is a FreeForm Elite treeless Dressage. In this video he has only been ridden less than 30 times. I am still applying Classical principals to his training."
Owner/instructor, Shelly says: "This is my 4yo Clydy x Andy gelding GP Amadeus (Clan). My goal with him is to train him to high level dressage bitless, treeless and barefoot. The bridle I am using is a Bitless Dressage type side pull, the saddle is a FreeForm Elite treeless Dressage. In this video he has only been ridden less than 30 times. I am still applying Classical principals to his training."
Advanced Bitless Dressage
Le Noir born 2000 black Holstein stallion by Leandro x Caletto I and his rider Uta Gräf at home training some Grand Prix movements with bitless bridle. They were a recent highlight at a classical dressage symposium in Germany.
