Feedback - 2003

I received my Bridle as a Christmas present but received it early and couldn't wait until December 25 to open it and use it, so I opened it up straight away. I have a Standard Bred Mare called "Neatly", with a fantastic nature but she has been damaged in the mouth while being trained by a person who leased her from her owner. She was saved by her owner at the very last moment from being sent to the knacker, by the person leasing her, and was offered to me as a pleasure horse. Right from the start she was always controllable in a bit but never happy, throwing her head around a lot, half rearing or cantering on the spot when asked to stop or slow down. She also did not like to stand still when she had a bit in her mouth. I tried all sorts of bits and got down to a rubber snaffle, which she was better in, but not comfortable in. I tried a Western Halter but as she was still prone to throwing her head up in the air this at times was not effective although she definitely was much happier in this. I was getting desperate as, even though she was still controllable it was obvious she was not happy when we went out as she would be lathered with sweat after only a short walk down the road. I even tried lessons with her but the improvement from these was only slow. Don't get me wrong she was and is the type of horse worth persevering with as she had such potential and no other vices.

I first saw a bitless bridle in "Hoofbeats" and came very close to ordering one from the US. I am so glad I didn't. When I came across the ad in the "Hoofbeats" for the Australian bridle I was on to it straight away, and when my husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas, you can guess the answer. I was confident this would be the answer to my prayers. When discussing the possibility with others I was surprised at the skepticism I encountered, even with the original owner of the horse, who knew her better than I did, as well as my instructor. I went ahead anyway.

Once I had the bridle fitted and saddle on (after chasing Neatly around the paddock for a while as she had come to hate being ridden so much) it took her about 15 minutes to get the idea. She did do the usual turn the wrong way and back up to start with but with some encouragement got used to it. Once this was achieved we went out on the trails and she came back without the headshakes and gnawing on the bit as before and she was dry even though it was a warm spring day, that is no nervous sweat. On the trail she responded to everything I asked her to do even better than she had ever done before as there was no discomfort or resistance. Since then we have had some very enjoyable times together. She still tries the occasional head shake and then realises there is nothing to resist and stops very quickly. I'm sure she will give up soon. My instructor said we have saved six months work with the change that has taken place, even though he is still a little skeptical, as we can now vary our speed in all gaits without the usual half rear or canter on the spot. Her original owner can't get over how relaxed she is and that she even stands still now. As she is harness broken I now want to order the rein joiners so I can take her out in my cart with the bridle. I am confident this will work too!!

THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE HORSE I KNEW I HAD BUT HADN'T ACHIEVED UNTIL NOW.

(I just went and caught Neatly with the Bridle in my hand and she walked up to me, what a change!!)

Regards,
Anna

Email from Carola in VIC:

Hello,

It is with great pleasure that I can finally send you a report of me and my horses conversion to NoBit. Due to my association to Strasser Hoofcare (which advocates "iron-free" horses) I was already educated to the advantages of bitless (or should I say "disadvantages of bits"). Because I am Australian, I bought Australian.

My and my horse's "conversion" the other day took exactly 30 seconds. We went through our normal warm-up routine and a short work routine. Horse "Nahnoo" (Anglo Arab mare) went happily through all paces and stayed on....well... not the bit! Finally there is a true meaning to the term " a horse is working into the bridle"!

I just finished teaching a lesson with a beginner rider who still has fairly unsteady hands. It was the first lesson I used the NoBit Bridle in. The horse remained calm and happy throughout the entire lesson. Since the horse had no reason to resist because of discomfort in her mouth, both had a very successful and pleasurable session. What I enjoyed most, was the increase in confidence in the rider once she realized that she actually had more "control" over the horse, as the mare co-operated much more willingly and with only light rein-aids! Oh what joy! Teaching is fun again! Every riding school should stock up on NoBits - because safety is in comfort!!!!!!

With kind regards,

Carola Adolf, (Strasser Hoofcare Professional, Riding Instructor and EFA Dressage Judge)

(If anyone would like to contact Carola in regards to Riding lessons or more information about Barefoot trimming you can contact her on 0414 784 055 -South Gippsland Area, but Carola does travel)

Email from Noel in NSW:

"We have just returned from a six month trip away and wanted to resume training one of our Arab geldings. I started him just before we left and right from the beginning he hated the bit.

When your bridle arrived I saddled him up no problem but as soon as I produced the bridle back went his ears and he moved away. OK, it took five minutes of fiddling about to adjust the new bridle and then away we went. For the first ten minutes or so he fooled about a bit but within the half-hour he had settled down - main problem was directional - it took him time to adjust to the new system - but not long. Magic change next day - no moving away when I produced the bridle - just a 'well, get on with it' attitude.

Next step is to try the bridle on a new young Arab I am about to start- but I have every confidence it will work. I certainly can recommend it.

Noel"

Email from Karen:

Nicole,

"I bought one of your bridles about a month ago, but due to a lot of things i have only been able to ride my girl in it about 6 times. As a pacer, she would go seriously flat out on the first lap and lose out on the second lap. Her mouth was quiet hard from being held back all the time. When I bought her home I was having serious brake trouble with her and the ensuing "discussions" left us both annoyed.

My instructor advised to just to really pull her up and physically make her stop - this worked kind of but i could tell she was getting sour with this technique. So instead of getting a harsher bit, I decided to just back up and find another way. I noticed that she was a dream to stop when I was leading her and would stop with the mildest halter pressure - so I bit the bullet and decided to risk just riding her in a halter. It worked like a dream. So I bought a no bit bridle to go with that line of thinking.

She was a little confused when I first put it on, I think the different pressure points when I took up the reins made her feel like she was being told to go backwards. That lasted about 10 secs til she figured it out. As we are having no "discussions " involving the bit area I am finding her much easier to control. She is remaining calmer and there is no rising angst for either of us. I used to really wince at the thought of really pulling her up with the bit, now I can be firm with our halts if I need too, and she will still be paying attention to me and not what is happening in her mouth. All round it has been a great improvement. The cues I am using now don't need to be quite so loud and get less every time. I actually feel in more in control with her now. The only improvement i can think of is i really miss my plaited cotton reins (esp in summer) So thanks for the great bridle.

Merry Christmas.
Karen"

Email from Schantelle in Vic:

"I would just like to say a big thankyou to Nobit bridles! Last week my boyfriend ordered me a nobit bridle as an early christmas present (he is going to see his parents at christmas so won't be home) and I was thrilled to receive it today. We ordered it on Friday so I wasn't expecting to see anything for a week or more, it was very exciting to rip open a package and see my lovley bridle. It feels just as nice as your website said it would and looks wonderful as well. I can't wait to go to the stables this afternoon and try it on my STB gelding. Will let you know how we go with it! Thankyou nobit bridles for your efficiency and wonderful product!

Cheers!

Schantelle"

Photos and email from Susan:

These photos are of Sasha being ridden by Susan's sister Georgia.

"I got pictures of some of my other horses in the no bit bridle, and I thought you might like to see some of them.... Lilly is the bay standardbred, she is only 5 and only just broken in.... Tristieen is the grey arab, she is 19 years old. I have HEAPS mor pictures of us riding them in the no bit bridle as well..

I am currently saving up to get more no bit bridles, I think they are great!

Susan"

(Susan also has her own website if anyone would like to take a look at her other horses - http://horsey.bravehost.com)

Email and photo from Alix in VIC:

I loved the idea of a bridle with no bit but was frightened I wouldn't be able to control my older but young thinking, chestnut long-term friend. I have had the chance to work him in an arena, ride out on the road and in the open and if anything I'd say he's quieter than he was before.

The bridle takes longer to put on than the traditional one I had with a snaffle bit...but I'm getting faster with it.

And he and I are just delighted! Alix and Mikado

New email (and photos) from Linda in WA re Competition Weekend:

"Hi Nicole

Just a couple of pics from the one day event (for geriatrics) last Sunday. The first is my husband, Trevor, and Persia, but it's quite a good shot of the bridle, the second is us leaving the water jump on the cross country course, we jump a log to get in, then another to get out. Only had one refusal and that was because of an awkward approach. It was the best cross-country course I have done, we only do the smaller jumps, but never-the-less we did the whole course at a fairly fast pace, but Persia was extremely relaxed, no pulling or bolting. The change is remarkable.

Unfortunately my friends didn't get there on time to take photos of my dressage test, but I went in it in the bitless bridle and individually came second out of 20. The judge's comments were that we had very nice flexion and that we rode a beautiful test. The reason we didn't come first was that Persia resisted going into the canter and gave a little buck, but there was a lot going on around us. So, goes to prove that a horse can soften on the bridle, rather than the bit.

The barrel race was amazing, shaved 13 seconds off last year (which I did in a bit), we are still not the fastest, 30 seconds, but that's my nerves more than anything. Unfortunately we don't have photos of that.

So on the day we did dressage, cross-country, barrel race, ben-bar aft, American bending, cup race and three other fast games. All done extremely successfully in the bitless bridle. She pulled up easily, even though we were pretty flat out on our way home in the games and she was very excited.

I had a lot of interest in the bridle on the day and at least one person said she was definitely going to contact you. People were commenting on just how responsive and relaxed she was. I am just soooooooo happy with the bridle, Thanks once again. Our team on the day overall came second, so we were all very happy.

Talk to you soon, thanks again for the change you have brought about in my life.

Linda"

Email from Diane in QLD:

"Hi!

This is not actually direct feedback about your bridles; I have not bought one yet because I am still a couple of years away from returning to riding. During the years that I have unable to ride or have any personal contact with horses, I have satisfied my heart's yearnings by collecting and studying hundreds of pictures of horses, both with and without riding gear.When I found your website I was overjoyed that another product has been developed for horses which promotes a better form of horsemanship than what we have traditionally known and tolerated in this country. But that's a whole other story.

What I particularly wanted to comment on is this: in all the photos of their horses wearing your bridle that your clients have contributed, one universal aspect stands out to me in vivid exciting detail - one can actually see the full features of a horse's face. The softness and expressiveness of his or her mouth is completely exposed in a way that traditional bridles have always hidden or distorted. That one difference completely changes the image we get of the "dressed" horse - the natural beauty and character and vulnerability of these magnificent animals is revealed more clearly, and in a way which demands respect for the horse's mouth as an integral part of its whole anatomy, not just as a pathway for our domination. It is like comparing two photos of Superman, one with his mask on and one without. Or in the case of more brutal bits, Hannibal Lecter in his mask versus Anthony Hopkins' intriguing visage!! For me, this is really wonderful. I think it has some subtle but significant implications for the horse world that are as yet untapped. It is my hope that the more the public see of photos like these, the more people will realize not only the aesthetic advantages of a bitless bridle, but also the humane and pragmatic ones. Perhaps supporters of the bitless bridle could send their photos into those horsey magazines which solicit contributions from readers.

Anyway, keep up the excellent work and bottomless good luck for your business. See you in a year or two with my order.

Diane - Brisbane."

Email from Kellie in QLD:

I purchased a no bit bridle from you a couple of months ago. Wanted to try it on my horse that is renowned for pulling and pushing through the bit. Had a couple of goes around home - responded from the word go! Took him on a trail ride with at least 20 other riders. At one stage everyone was running past and he wanted to go. I thought this will really test the bridle.

He was not able to push through the bridle and I felt a lot nicer not swinging on his mouth. He does not resist putting on the bridle now as there is not bit to wedge between his teeth. Thanks for the bridle - I have never been game to try other bitless bridles as I have been worried that my horses would run through them. Thanks again. I have and will continue to share this success with others.

Kellie

Email from Angela:

I promised to let you know how my mare went after riding her in her no-bit bridle, but time has escaped me till now. She was always leaning on the bit and the children had a hard time stopping her. Everyone said just get a stronger bit, but I bought a no-bit bridle and it has been fantastic. Anyone can stop her now and she is going better than ever.

Thanks again. Angela

Follow up email received from Linda in WA:

Hi Nicole

As promised, here are a few photos, though I think I got a bit carried away. I was a bit disappointed because my husband didn't get a close-up of Persia's head with the bridle, these men never listen to instructions. It's a bit disconcerting when you look at yourself riding, my seat is way too forward, comes from riding racehorses for years. The horse certainly looks better than the rider!!! Hope I don't clog up your email.

We had a terrific lesson, Marian, my instructor, went from "hmmph, I suppose you have to try anything you can, and how do you control her?" to "Wow, she's a different horse, look at her. Where do you get these from? You've got amazing control. Look at how she stops and turns. She's so relaxed. Marian did think it hilarious because part of the way through the lesson Persia was trying to set her jaw against the bit as she usually would, and there was nothing there. Apparently she had a puzzled look on her face, I could feel her doing it, she kept trying and trying but eventually gave up and got on with the job.

She wasn't quite collecting as well as normal, but this is the first lesson we've had in the bridle and I wasn't really pushing the issue, just wanted her to be relaxed, which she was. The canter was superb, Marian was cheering, normally over the last few months Persia would grab the bit and pull like a train at the canter, in this lesson she did leap into it, but quickly relaxed and settled, it was amazing.

I have a group lesson this Saturday with some very advanced dressage riders, they go into shows and ride big warmbloods and some are at fairly high lessons. Marian has put me into this class over the last few months to push us on. A month ago we left the lesson in tears, this Saturday I just can't wait. And Marian is actually very keen for a couple of the riders there to see the bridle because she thinks it may help them with their schooling. How's that for a conversion.

We also went in a 20km navigational ride on Sunday, she went really, really well, there was some quite fast work involved against other horses, not once did she pull, jerk on the bridle or carry on. We had an absolute ball and our pair came fourth out of 18. It was a four hour ride and I came back without a sore chest. There were a number of riders there who noticed the bridle and were questioning me all about it. I explained how it worked and what a change it had wrought in Persia. I gave them your email address and one of the riders at least said she would definitely contact you, she was very keen, her horse really pulls. She and I talked for about 15 minutes about it, she was worried about the stopping, but I told her that it is easier to stop in this bridle than with a bit. She's been advised to put a bit that can cut the tongue on her horse, which she is horrified about, when I told her how this works she was amazed and said she would definitely get in contact with you. Hope she does.

Oh, I forgot to mention, we even did cross-country jumping on Sunday, she went like a dream and pulled up after the jumps instead of taking off as usual. I just love it.

Thanks so much for giving me back my wonderful friend Persia, our relationship is a happy one again. I didn't realise how much I was missing her until I got her back. We're no longer cross with one another, just having fun together. Now I'm not putting off my rides because it's cold, it's too warm, it's cloudy, no time or any other excuse I could think of, I'm racing out there saddling up and off we go. I will most definitely be ordering another one after Christmas for my boy Chester.

Have a great week.
Linda

Email received from Chris in Gladstone as a follow up to previous contact:

"Nicole

I was having a look at your website and looking at the pictures of my pretty pony. In my earlier feedback to you (at the very end of your webpage) where I said I tried it out on the open road, there is an error. I must have emailed you incorrectly and said he was still uncontrollable but it should actually read "he was not uncontrollable even when excited".

What I meant was I still had control of him with the bridle even though he gets excited when we are with a group of other riders.

I hope you can change this error.

Regards,

Chris"

*Poor Chris must have been extremely confused when we sent her an email saying to lower the noseband when she needed more stopping control - thanks Chris for clearing up our error.

Photo of "Mikado" received from Alix in Vic:

"I'm just so comfortable in my new bridle I'm having a nap"

Email (excerpt) from Linda in WA:

(Linda contacted us t see if our bridle would help her mare who over the past 3 or so months has started pulling and banging on the bit with such force that Linda now has inflammed bones and muscles in her chest and shoulders. Note - Teeth and physical pain had been examined and ruled out.)

"Hi Nicole

I took Persia out for a good long ride on Saturday morning. We stopped off at one of the areanas and did some dressage work (bearing in mind we are beginners) and she went marvellously. She was very excited, but settled nicely, she "got on the bit" and rounded up and was very soft. No jerking or head tossing, maybe a little rushed, but hey, it Spring.

We then went for a long ride along the river and bridle paths with the dogs and she was great. She was so happy and relaxed that she was foaming at the mouth, even without a bit, by the time we got home. I have never had her do such quick stops as she does with this bridle. The only problem I am having at the moment is that in her head, a bit in her mouth means no eating, no bit means try and eat everything that comes within each, but that's just a teaching thing for her and all animals will try you out.

Truely, Saturday was one of the most enjoyable rides I've had on her for a couple of months. I have a lesson this coming Monday, so will let you know how she goes and how my instructor reacts.

Anyway thanks again.
Linda"

Letter from Chris in Gladstone (following up to previous email of approx 3 months earlier)

"Nicole

Here are the last photos I have taken of the bridle I purchased.

I'm still quite happy with it. It is good for my trail riding and endurance.

Regards
Chris"

Email from Wendy in TAS:

"Nicole

Tried the bridle on the weekend, immediately noticed how my horse held his head up instead of the usual sulk position. He was so attentive listening to me immediately, he adapted straight away, probably because he was used to the pressure (he previously wore a gag on his bit). He stopped on command with minimal pressure on a walk and trot and a little more pressure in a canter. He neckreined exactly the same as he normally does. I haven't tried stopping him from a full gallop but feel he will be ok. I really noticed the difference in his attitude tough, he was much, much happier.

We also used it on my daughter's horse who normally wears a straight bit pelham with chain and he was the same. My daughter notcied the difference in her horse's gait in a canter as he normally puts his headf down and she is forever trying to keep it up so he is smoother to ride. he didn't have to do that with this bridle.

Once we have tried them both on trail rides I imagine you will get another order from us. Very happy with the bridle and so were Dusty and Spotty.

Thanks muchly,
Wendy"

Email (excerpt) and photos received from Donna in NSW:

"Hi Nicole

Many thanks for the email. I am more than happy for you to use the photos on your website and for the customer board at Equitana in November.

Iam biased but Buddy is such a beautiful horse, he follows me like a dog and I can do anythign with him! He's so responsove and a joy to ride (even more responsibe with my NoBit Bridle!).

I found your service absolutely fantastic. Nothing was too hard, you were always friendly and willing to help at any time.

Take care and thanks again for all your help.

Donna"

Email received from Claire in QLD:

"Hello Nicole, it's Claire.

My letter to you and your fellow friends who made it possible to let my horse Madam Yates, know life without a bit.

I had no second thoughts of putting a Nobit bridle on my girl (Madam) as I knew she could only prefer it to the other option, which is to have steel in her mouth and that would only really and truely make our communication and partnership that much harder.

I feel that for the past 5 years that Madam and I have been together, telling her how to do this and how to do that was not a problem since we would work through things new and old together and then becoming a team was a great sense of progress.

When time in the day to work together became shorter and shorter there were times when I would just put on the halter and being in between saddles also, would get on Madam and do our different manoeuvres. I realised that she was much more responsive than when the bridle and bit were in her mouth and as time went on I thought that there must be a system other than what was on offer, but still using points of pressure used one way or another.

After being able to get my hands on the Nobit Bridle thanks to you guys, its proven to me and my horse that take the bit out of the mouth and out of the worry of the horse, who not only feels the bit first before he hears you asking but all the long term dramas it brings, that....

My girl stops now and not 3 paces later, no matter what gait we are in.

She turns like a quarter horse on the spot, NOT BAD FOR A REGISTERED THOROUGHBRED!!!!

The sense of connection for partnership in work or play seems stronger than ever before.

Collection in the arena is better as the engine on Madam is happy to go weel forward since the bit is gone and the worries are no more of wondering when the next jab is going to come.

I could so talk about it to anyone who would want to always be able to look at themselves and think, "How can I improve my riding skills to better the relationship between my horse and myself" because I feel the Nobit bridle would make for better riders and out peoples riding back in the saddle and not in the hands!!

Many thanks,
Claire & Madame"

Email received from Ellen in NSW:

"Hi Nicole,

I just wanted to let you know that I have received the bridle, and tried it out on the weekend, and found that Jett was more relaxed and so was I. He was not playing with the bit (because there was none to play with).

I found he was not running out of the corners like he used to do.

I also did some jumps with him, which I did not dare to do with a normal snaffle bridle, and I had complete control of him.

I have shown a few people at the horse park the bitless bridle and no one has seen anything like it, and when I explained the concept of it, everyone can see how it works quite easily.

I will certainly pass on your contact info, if they ask where t get it from.

Thanks Ellen"

Email received from Chris in QLD:

"Nicole

It is Chris from Gladstone wiriting to give you feedback on the bridle I purchased.

I did in fact have the bridle by the weekend that I wanted it. My horse was good when I first put the bridle on, it took him a couple of rides to get used to it. He was not used to the noseband or the pressure on the head.

The weekend just gone I had one of my riding lessons with it and that went well. On Sunday (20.07.03) I rode hiom out on the open road with it with a group of riders. He is settling down nicely anyway but he was still oncontrollable when excited. So fare the bridle is working well. When I remember I will take a picture of it on him and send it to you!

Regards,
Chris"

* After reading this we have suggested that Chris move the noseband down a bit to help give her extra leverage when she needs it (during the times that her horse becomes excited) *