What is the benefit of the Bitless Bridle? (click here)

How do I choose the correct size? (click here)

Dr. Cook's Bitless Bridle works on an entirely new concept compared with other bridles, including all other bitless bridles; i.e., the Hackamores, bosals and sidepulls.

The Bitless Bridle is special because of the way it works. It provides control by applying gentle and painless pressure, distributed to the whole of the head. There is pressure across the poll, behind the ears, down the side of the face, behind the chin and across the nose. It does not depend for its control primarily on poll flexion.

Whereas the bit exerts focal pressure on the mouth, The Bitless Bridle distributes its pressure over a wide area (one or both sides of the head, depending on whether you are steering or stopping) and over less sensitive tissues (skin and mainly underlying muscle). It does this through two loops, one over the poll and one over the nose. Essentially, it gives the rider an inoffensive and benevolent headlock, as compared with the bit's potentially offensive and painful control of the mouth.

The Bitless Bridle, because it spreads the pressure and applies it to less sensitive tissue, is more humane than a bit. At no one region of the head does the degree of pressure amount to anything more than a squeeze. In this way, the bridle promotes improved performance without inflicting pain, without interfering with breathing or striding, and without disturbing that sense of partnership and harmony between horse and rider that is a fundamental of good horsemanship.

The Bitless Bridle provides better steering than a bit or hackamore, and more reliable brakes than a bit or sidepull. Being painless it doesn't precipitate the one hundred or more behavioral aberrations in the horse that are bit-induced. Freedom from fear favors calmness. A calm horse spooks less readily and recovers more rapidly. No longer distracted by pain, a horse is able to pay attention and becomes more obedient, compliant and manageable. Injuries to the rider arising from a horse rearing, bucking, bolting or having a panic attack are less likely.

Action Rider Tack is proud to be an agent for The Bitless Bridle. As an agent Action Rider Tack will exhibit and sell The Bitless Bridle at various events. Please see the events page to see where we will be exhibiting.