Bitless bridles

How does a bridle without a bit work?

With a bitless bridle, the rein signal reaches the bridge of the nose, the chin and the poll, not the mouth. Depending on the design, the rein acts sideways, via crossed straps or via a lever mechanism. This makes weight, leg and voice more important. Some riders use a bitless bridle for variety, others ride entirely without a bit.

The types at a glance

• Sidepull: the reins are attached to the sides of the noseband. The rein acts directly sideways; this is the clearest form for getting started.
• Cross-under bridle: the straps cross under the chin or over the poll. This distributes the rein pressure over several points on the head. Many models can be buckled as a sidepull or as a cross-under bridle.
• Scawbrig: this bridle acts mainly via the lower jaw. Waldhausen and STAR recommend it as an alternative to the snaffle bridle for well-trained horses.
• Hackamore: it works with side shanks and leverage on the nose and chin and requires a calm, experienced hand.
• Combination bridles: some bridles can be used with or without a bit.

Models at Lepona

The X-Line series comes from Waldhausen. The X-Line Bitless Supersoft has a Scawbrig action, an anatomically shaped headpiece and softly padded straps. The Supersoft Nuova has a stiffened noseband and a rhinestone chain on the browband. The Sensation has two side rings on the noseband and distributes the pressure evenly over the nasal bone. The Sensitive with wheel acts on the poll, nose and chin. The Bitless bridle from STAR comes with a padded noseband and headpiece. The reins are included with the Waldhausen and STAR bridles.

QHP offers the Ceto and Sunna models. Both can be buckled as a sidepull or as a poll-crossed bridle and have a removable chin strap. The Anatomical has a specially shaped noseband and an extra-wide headpiece. The Thunderbolt with a colourful browband is available for pony, Shetland and mini Shetland. Web reins are included with the Ceto and Thunderbolt.

You can use the FaySport from PresTeq, made of vegetable-tanned leather, in three ways: as a sidepull, crossed under the chin or crossed over the jaw. It goes well with the FayRein reins with a non-slip inside and stops every 12.5 cm. You can use the D-Motion from Dyon with bit reins, as a crosspull or as a sidepull, which makes the switch easier. From Sprenger there is a hackamore with 13 cm shanks, a leather chin strap and a round-stitched noseband.

Size and fit

Most bridles come in warmblood, cob and pony. QHP also stocks some models in Shetland and mini Shetland; you will find more equipment for small horses under For your Shetland. The noseband belongs on the bony part of the bridge of the nose and not on the soft part below it. There should still be room for two fingers under the straps. After buckling, check that nothing rubs against the eyes or cheekbones. You can see which sizes are currently available on the item.

Switching in small steps

Start in the indoor school or the arena, ideally with a trainer. Groundwork helps your horse get to know the new signals; you will find equipment for this under Groundwork. Whether a bridle is permitted at competitions is governed by the current rules and the competition schedule.

Accessories and care

You will find replacement reins under Reins, a new browband under Browbands and spare parts under Bridle accessories. Clean the leather after riding and care for it with leather balm. For the Ceto, QHP advises against oil because it can loosen the seams. Suitable products are available under Leather care. You will find bridles with a bit under Snaffle bridles and everything else under Bridles.