Stopping in a bitless bridle isn’t about pulling harder, it’s about teaching our horse to listen to our whole body. When our seat becomes still, our core firms gently, and our breathing slows, our horse feels that the energy has stopped. The reins simply confirm what our body has already asked. With patience and clear practice, our horse will stop softly and confidently, no bit required. This article explores how to stop a horse in a bitless bridle easily and effectively.

Understanding and respecting the physical demands we place on our horses is fundamental to good horsemanship. After all, a healthy back is not only vital for performance, it is essential for a horse’s comfort and quality of life. Prioritizing back health not only enhances performance but also fosters a deeper, more respectful partnership between horse and rider.

Preparation and Confidence Building in Horses - in order to feel confident horses need to understand and accept what is currently happening and be fully prepared for upcoming events.

Every day, everywhere around the world, bits are placed inside horses’ mouths and manipulated. Bits in horses mouths is so common and so accepted, but should it be?

This is a great little exercise that improves our feel for our horses and our riding skills, makes our horses suppler, and increases safety when riding. When we expand and contract our horses gaits we reach a whole new level of connection and understanding with our horses.

The transition to bitless riding can be instant, or can take some time and training. But the end result is the same in both circumstances, a happy horse and rider.

A well balanced, centred torso is fundamental for the effective use of all the other body parts and the seat.

A three part series, bitless bridles part 1 commences a talk given in 2016 at Nimbin Agricultural Show by Suzy Maloney.

A three part series, bitless bridles part 2 continues with a talk given in 2016 at Nimbin Agricultural Show by Suzy Maloney.

Bitless Bridles Part 3 is the third in a series of videos recorded at a presentation discussing bitless bridles.