If you’re a horse rider then I am sure you have often wondered if bridleless riding would be better for you and for your horse.
There are definite benefits to riding without a bridle. But if you have never ridden this way, it is important to know that you must train your horse to voice and leg commands before you ever attempt to ride this way.
Below is a list of the top five benefits to bridleless riding and why it benefits both of you. Also in this article is a guide to get you started on how to train your horse with leg and voice commands for backing up and for stopping.
Better communication between horse and rider
This is the most important and obvious benefit to bridleless riding. Being able to control your horse without the reins can be a life-saving advantage. If you’re out on a trail with no one else around and your reins break or if you need both of your hands and have to let go of the reins, as long as your horse is trained to leg and voice commands, it won’t be a problem.
Also, without using the reins your horse will have to focus on you and pay closer attention to your commands so that he knows what is expected of him.
Better performance
Think about this, would you rather a friend get your attention by pulling on your mouth or by gently nudging you and talking to you? Horses aren’t much different. Animals have bad days just like every human and creature on this earth. Ever have a day with your horse where he just didn’t feel like obeying the rein commands? He is probably tired or hurting from the bit in his mouth.
Going bridleless provides a better and less invasive means of communication with your horse, therefore putting him in a better mood. A happy horse will always perform better.
Avoiding issues with your horse’s mouth
Most people will end up riding with a bit that is probably stronger than what is needed, and this is a major problem that riding without a bridle can take care of.
If the bit you are using is too severe or strong then your horse is possibly resisting, overreacting, and tensing up. A horse that doesn’t have to be concerned with his mouth becomes a lot more relaxed. It boosts his confidence, and he becomes more willing to do what you are asking of him.
Less dependence on the reins
The use of a bridle actually invites your horse to challenge your commands and to your horse, it takes away his freedom. Riding without a bridle helps you to learn control over your horse and his direction by only using your voice and your legs/body. This gives you both more freedom.
Learning to ride without a bridle
I recommend that you only try this with a horse that you trust and who trusts you. The most important thing here is your safety and the safety of your horse. If you have not yet learned to trust each other, this can be extremely dangerous.
Take it slow
You can’t just get on your horse and ride without a bridle. Your horse is used to having that bridle so make sure to always put the headgear on him before each lesson.
By doing this you can judge his attitude at the time and decide if introducing something new that day is a good idea or not.
This is something that has to be eased into for your horse so the first thing you need to do is start the lesson off by using a loose rein to ride him. Try a few commands this way to make sure your horse is being responsive to you.
To teach yourself to stop using the rein commands, place the hand that you usually hold the reins with on the neck of your horse and clinch part of his mane with that hand or you can grab onto the saddle pad. This will help you to stop using your reins.
The first thing you need to accomplish is to control a movement whether it is a trot or just a walk with only using the reins loosely without having to really manage the horse’s speed. This is to test the horse to see if he will manage and maintain a normal speed being relaxed without you having to consistently control him.
Once your horse controls his own speed without constant cues from you then you can move on to the next step.
Next, try giving your horse cues to speed up, slow down, and stop. Loosely use the reins while giving voice and leg/body commands. Repeat this process until he responds correctly without you using the reins.
Backing up
Getting your horse to back up without using the reins is the same. Use your reins loosely while giving voice and leg/body commands until he responds with just your voice and body cues.
Position your legs in front the girth then fan them out back and forth, make a kissing noise while doing it, this is the leg and voice command together to get your horse to back up. Make sure that your legs are away from the horse when you make this fan motion with them.
If the horse does not respond and move backwards, then loosely use the reins for him to understand what you are asking him to do. Then try it again without the reins until he responds correctly.
Woah
The best way to accomplish getting your horse to stop with using your legs/body is to first use loose reins while using the “woah” command. Work on getting him to respond using the voice command only and once you accomplish this with him then work on the leg/body cues.
Get your horse up to a trot then use the “woah” command and give him a little time to respond. If he doesn’t respond then use the loose rein cue and leg/body cue while saying “woah”.
To master the leg/body cue for “woah” you will need to extend your legs straight forward, pressing gently on your horse while you roll the pelvis to where you are sitting on the pockets on the back of your jeans. If he doesn’t stop then use the loose rein cue with the leg/body cue.
The best time to teach him about stopping this way is when you are done for the day. Do the exercise until he gets it right then dismount him.
Conclusion
If you are trying to decide on whether or not to ride without a bridle then remember the top five benefits to bridleless riding, if this is what you want for your horse and yourself then train you both to accomplish it.
There are three words to remember when introducing any animal to something new:
- Slow
- Patience
- Repeat