Email from Julie:

Hi Nicole,

Cheers, Julie.

New email received from Joan in QLD:

Hi Nicole,

Just enclosing a photo of myself on-board Billy and Rachael on George, both horses doing well. Billy now stands for me, only eats when he's allowed, he now comes trotting up to me in the paddock, he has actually stopped coughing/gurgling, he doesn't shy, he used to dart out very quickly but now it's oh is that what it is, doesn't phase him.

George is the same as well, he now wants to go further trail riding when it's time to go back. I could go on and on and on. They both only yawn when the bridles are taken off and not when we actually put them in bitted bridles.

Regards Joan

Email received from Nadette:

Hello,

Well it has been a while since I purchased our no bit bridle. I first saw them in Hoofbeats and as my horse, Heidi a 4yo thoroughbred, had had some issues with head tossing, I decided it sounded like a great idea. She had gone fairly well with the halter but I felt it did not offer enough control. I have used the no bit bridle many times now and I am overall pretty happy with it.

On the positive side I have found that my horse is much better at standing quietly to open and shut gates with the no bit bridle. Riding her in other situations she definitely did not toss her head so much initially but after getting her teeth treated she stopped head tossing with the bit bridle as well. Another thing I have found really great about the no bit bridle is that in the occasional situation where the unexpected happens and Heidi shies or I lose balance there is no longer the risk of unintentionally jabbing her in the mouth with the bit. After watching beginner riders hauling on the reins for balance I suspect many lesson and trail horses would appreciate the no bit bridle. The low maintenance, heavy duty construction is also appealing and I love not having to oil the bridle.

The drawbacks I have found with the no bit bridle are as follows and I only hope that they can be seen as constructive criticism. Firstly the reins are just too long for my horse. She is a 15.3 hh averagely built thoroughbred with a normal length of rein. The full size bridle fits her head but I feel the reins do not allow for any adjustment. I have a concern that should I drop the reins or fall off there is a risk of leg entanglement. Knotting the reins is not acceptable and as I often like to ride 'on the buckle' when bush riding the no bit reins are too long for this. I probably should have predicted this problem and bought the Enduro version to allow change of reins entirely. This would also have avoided having very slippery reins when it rains! The cheek pieces have a tendency to ride forward on the nose band but once in place on the horses head they seem to stay put. (Note: we have emailed Nadette about her rein problems with some suggestions. The new Mk2 NoBit Bridle, to be released in 2007 will be available in all sizes with or without reins to give you a wider choice to suit your own needs and preferences)

I have really found the no bit bridle useful and would definitely recommend it but would suggest to anyone considering that they purchase the Enduro version. In situations where I need to have definite control I still opt for using my bitted snaffle bridle. After trying the no bit bridle when mustering sheep in hilly country I found that if I was persistent in trying to use the bridle to get an immediate response Heidi would just stick her head in the air and charge blindly down hills ignoring the bridle completely. I understand that this is a challenging situation for any new piece of kit and in time with more training I feel I will eventually be able to go completely bitless.

I am overall very happy with the no bit bridle and feel it is definitely a kinder option for my horse. As horses often suffer so much from equipment that they have forced upon them it is great to know that companies like yourselves are offering alternatives.

Thanks,
Nadette and Heidi

Email received from Katey:

Dear Nicole,

This is to say thanks for my NoBit bridle and to let you know how we are getting on.

Put the bridle on, did some work on the ground until Pudding was responding to pressure-release for left, right and stop. This took around 10 minutes (max). He found stop easier than left and right. Went for a quick potter down the track on the first day, steering was a bit wonky but no problem with stop.

On the second day I rode him in a school and then a round yard, the steering rapidly improved and he was flexing very readily (see pic). Sometimes his nose went behind the vertical (see other pic) but I most likely that is due to me needing to learn to fine tune the release and balance legs and hands better, and him getting used to the bridle. I really like the more constant contact that the NoBit bridle gives, the feel is more consistent and it is much easier to follow the horses movement. Pudding seems to like it too. My instructor thinks he goes better in it, though I only rode him in the bitted bridle a few times so it is hard to compare.

The main reason for buying the bitless bridle was so my beginner boyfriend could ride my horse without trashing his mouth. He has ridden Pudding a few times in the bitless bridle and everything has gonevery well. It is much easier for Keith to learn the gradual take up of pressure and to follow the horses head because the signal comes from the horses head rather than just from his mouth, and I no longer need to shriek at him every time his hands wave around even a little bit. He still has to be careful though - its obvious that the bridle can apply a lot of pressure.

I haven't ridden in anything else since I got it, I think its great.

My only concern is the speed at which the bridle responds to a change in pressure from the rider. I can't see what is going on with the rings when I'm riding, but, looking at the mechanism, it seems that it might take fractionally longer for the straps to stop working than a bit would under the same circumstances - can you comment on this? (note: we have contacted Katey to discuss fit and release issues)

Anyway, I think it is just fabulous and use it all the time, hope they are allowed in dressage tests soon, I can use it for XC though, hooray.

Cheers, Katy

Email received from Joan in QLD:

Hi Nicole,

I purchased the No-Bit as my Quarter Horse, Billy, had a dead mouth. I would have trouble in pulling him up unless there was grass under his nose, he would swallow his tongue, make strange noises, he would fidget whilst standing still, the list goes on and on, mind you he is just turning 5, I've had him for about 3 months so his previous life has been I think pretty tough.

We've had the No-Bit for several weeks now and each ride just gets better and better. After the 1st ride we were out on the trail jumping logs. From the moment I put it on he was a lot calmer and quieter, so much easier now to pull up, I'm 38 and the ground gets pretty hard to fall onto these days. His canter is a lot smoother, he even shies less where as before he would spin around but now he just oh is that it and move out of the way. I think even walking down hills it feels a lot easier, not reefing on their mouths to make them go a lot slower. The 2 horses go out on the trails without napping at the front gate as well.

My daughter Rachael thought it looked good so I purchased one for her and now her pony George jumps logs without being pulled in the mouth and he will canter a lot longer. I think they have a partnership which they think they are both invincible. She has a lot more confidence now that she has this new bridle. George has been pigrooting but this is now down to 1 every hour instead of lots and he also rears when he couldn't get his own way but this has now stopped.

I can't believe the change in the 2 horses, they're now bitless, treeless and shoeless. Nicole I will post some photos' shortly to you.

Kind regards
Rachael & George
Joan & Billy

Email received from Nikki:

Nicole,

Just a quick note to say thankyou for the NoBit Bridle. I have a young TB mare whom I got around 10 months ago. Just recently I've had a lot of trouble with her teeth and mouth; whenever I placed contact on her mouth she would throw her head in the air and display numerous aerial stunts. Being a nervous rider, my confidence gradually dwindled until I found excuses not to ride her. On the advice of a friend I purchased one of your bridles. I had my first ride on my horse today using the NoBit Bridle.

I can't believe how beautifully she went, I have never felt her so relaxed and willing. She didn't toss her head, buck or rear once. Thankyou for helping my horse and I actually enjoy our riding again.

Sincerely
Nikki

Email received from May:

Hi Nicole,

At first I tried out my horse Gypsy (Clydesdale /thoroughbred cross) with a halter and reins, and she went really well in it which augured well instigating me to try an Apollo bridle. I must admit, at first I was a tiny bit skeptical but I thought I would give it a go nevertheless.

I loved the Apollo but I did want a leather bride which as you know I have long since acquired and it's beautiful and elegant. I can use my own comfortable reins on it and it is just fantastic. Again, Gypsy went well in it. So now I have a very, very happy big horse.

I love the leather bridle (because I do have a thing about leather) but that of course that is just a matter of personal preference.

However, I have nothing against the Apollo bridle it is just as great and has the added advantage of being able to just rinse it out in water and presto, it's clean.  The leather does need a bit more love and care but that's a small price to pay for such a beautiful and useful bridle. To be honest, I wouldn't mind both of them.

I cant thank No bit bridles enough for such a fantastic product. Gypsy loves it, I love it and I truly wish more people would gravitate towards the no bit. They honestly are: to use an old clique: 'the best thing since sliced bread'! i shall be advocating it's use wherever i can.

Thanks again for a wonderful product, I shall never use a bitted bridle again.

Also a big thanks to you Nicole for all your support and help.

Another picture of Gypsy in her new no bit leather bridle.

Mai