This section is where we will present news items for those who would like to hear about recent developments. Vistors are invited to submit items of news relevant to The Bitless Bridle for possible inclusion by writing to info@bitlessbridle.com News events for the current calendar year are below; for archival news from previous years, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the appropriate link.
Dressage riders who would like to compete bitless can now do so if they are able to travel to Holland. The Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS) have approved a rule that allows riders to compete bitless for the next three years. If this trial period is a success, there is a good chance that the rule will be made permanent and serve as an example to other federations, including the USEF. A Dutch rider has already competed three times bitless and gained promotional scores. So if you have bitless friends in Holland, please encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity. With the help of our contact person in Holland, USA riders could obtain a permit to compete in a KNHS competition. Write to Dr. Cook at
"The warming-up ring is now referred to, I see, as the training arena. Perhaps it has always had this designation. Silly me. I had assumed that horses were already trained when they arrived and only needed to be warmed-up, a process for which 15-30 minutes is surely adequate. But if they still have to be trained, no wonder that such prolonged and draconian "techniques" are to be employed at the ninth hour.
To name the warming-up ring as the training arena seems to exemplify the short-cut training philosophy apparently being condoned by the present-incumbent-administrators-of-the-FEI (PIAFEI ... pronounced �piaffy�). Never mind! If one hour of training is not sufficient, the PIAFEI have thoughtfully made provision for this to be doubled or even tripled. Three hours should do it. Away with the need for those boring years of preparation."
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In the year 2000, the horse industry first became aware of two welfare advances. Both freed the horse from metal accessories, bits and shoes. Since then, many thousands of equestrians, worldwide, have carried out what can be regarded as a natural experiment. Each horse has acted as its own control. The �de-metalling� experiments have confirmed that the crossunder bitless bridle provides a painless and safer alternative to the bit and that barefoot management vastly improves the horse�s quality of life. The removal of these metal artifacts has revealed that they are the cause of many accidents and diseases.
Click here for the full press release...
February 2010Dr. Cook was interviewed by John Bonner for Veterinary Practice magazine. The article is available in our Articles section, or by clicking here. January 2010A Poster by Michael Guillot...Author of The Official 2060 SuperPrix! Fan Guide: The Definitive Guide to Mid-21st Century Dressage.
