| | Cost/Benefit Analysis [2010]
A comparison of the costs and benefits of use between the bitted bridle and the crossunder bitless bridle. | |
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| | Cooling Down the Warming Up Debate [2010]
Dr. Cook's considers the perplexing attitude of the FEI towards Rollkur and similar training methods.
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| | Warming Up [2010]
Over bending, by whatever name, is inhumane. Whether it is produced by force or - as some would claim - without force, it frightens and hurts a horse, unbalances him, limits his vision, partially suffocates, prematurely tires and makes it painful for him to move. Over bending, defined as any position of the head behind the vertical, if practised at any stage in a horse's lifetime, transgresses the FEI Code of Conduct and Dressage Rules. Over bending is a welfare scandal, a disgrace to dressage, and - for as long as its rules are not enforced - a blot on the escutcheon of the FEI.
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| | Dr. Cook interviewed for Veterinary Practice magazine [2010]
John Bonner interviews Dr. Cook for Veterinary Practice magazine.
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| | Going Bitless - a personal experience [2010]
Sharon Small wrote an article for the Dallas Dressage Club newsletter, which she has allowed us to post here.
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| | The Why, What and How of Fitting the Crossunder Bitless Bridle [2010]
This is an update of the article first produced in 2005.
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| | Are you riding like the primitive Bronze-Age man? [2010]
An article from the Philadelphia Examiner suggesting that riders step into the modern era of human-equine interaction by removing the bit. Click here to read the artilce on their website.
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| | An Apology to the Horse [2009]
An article to be published in the Jan/Feb 2010 edition of Natural Horse Magazine of an interview with Dr. Cook concerning the status of rule changes to allow the crossunder bitless bridle in dressage competitions. To read the article in PDF format, click here.
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| | Prevalence of Bit-induced Dental and Interdental Pathology [2009]
An abstract of an article to be submitted for publication in the Equine Veterinary Journal concerning the effect of bits on the equine mouth and teeth.
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| | Crossunder Bitless Bridle Bibliography [2009]
Evidence submitted to the USEF Dressage Committee in support of a rule change proposal to permit the crossunder bitless bridle for dressage. To read the article in PDF format, click here.
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| | Jointed Snaffle vs. Crossunder Bitless Bridles [2009]
Dr. Cook's article in the Equine Veterinary Journal "Preliminary Study of Jointed Snaffle Vs. Crossunder Bitless Bridles: Quantified Comparison of Behaviour in Four Horses." To read the article in PDF format, click here.
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| | Dr. Cook reviews the Rambo Bridle [2009]
Dr. Cook takes a close look at the Rambo Micklem MultiBridle and finds it lacking.
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| | Superprix Review [2009]
When rational discourse fails, sometimes a humorous soliloquy can succeed. Such will hopefully be the impact of a tongue-in-cheek look at the art of dressage entitled "The Official 2060 Superprix! Fan Guide: The definitive guide to mid-21st century dressage" - a fictional account of what dressage may become if recent trends are taken to their most illogical outcome. Dr. Cook weighs in on a slim and incisive book by author Michelle Guillot.
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| | On The Bit [2009]
An update to an article first put forth by Dr. Cook in 2007. An excerpt from the article:
The FEI's more succinct definition of 'on the bit' is "The acceptance of the bridle, with submissiveness throughout and without any tension or resistance." If this definition was remembered and the misleading phrase 'on the bit' was discarded in favor of 'acceptance of the bridle,' a purely semantic hurdle to welfare reform and rule change proposals would be swept away.
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| | Prevention of Riding Accidents Caused by Tack [2009]
An examination of the role that tack plays in the safety and welfare of horse and rider. Both the article and accompanying Accident Prevention Checklist are provided in PDF format.
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| | Pain: The big "but" about the horse’s bit [2009]
Unlike some animals when hurt, horses do not scream. Instead they exhibit evidence of pain by changes in behavior. This article discusses the pain caused by the bit and some of the general behavior changes that can be induced by that pain.
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| | Benefits of the Bitless Bridle [2009]
A discussion of the benefits of the Bitless Bridle over the bit method of communication, from two points of view: that of the horse and that of the rider.
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| | Liverpool Driving Bit vs. Crossunder Bitless Bridle [2008]
by Madeleine Calkoen, with annotations by Rd. Robert Cook
A comparison of a bitted driving bridle with the Bitless Bridle drving bridle, with supporting measurements of temperature and heartrate.
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| | Is It Time For a Hoof Care Revolution? [2008]
Dr. Cook discusses the current state of hoof care - many misunderstandings prevail.
To read this article in PDF format, click here.
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| | DIY Surgery on the Horse in Motion [2008]
This letter to the editor of “Veterinary Times,” UK, was written by way of comment on an article that appeared in the September issue, 2008, with the title, “Bit Problems: confusing to equine practitioners, even those who ride.” The article was authored by a veterinarian and written for the guidance of veterinarians but it contained so much misinformation that a comment seemed necessary. Sadly, the editor of Veterinary Times did not choose to publish the letter but my comments may be of interest to riders and drivers.
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| | Barefoot vs. Shod [2008]
by Marcia King
A point/counterpoint discussion on the controversial issue of whether horses need to wear shoes.
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| | Bitless Benefits for Pony Clubs [2008]
A short discussion of the benefits of the crossunder bitless bridle for Pony Clubs and other youth-oriented organizations.
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| | Epiglottal Entrapment [2007]
An unpublished letter to the editor of the Veterinary Record, the official publication of the British Veterinary Association. The author of an article in this scientific journal had stated that the cause of epiglottal entrapment was unknown. My letter explains my contention, based on anatomical and physiological evidence, that epiglottal entrapment - a deformity of the horse’s voice box - is most commonly caused by the bit.
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| | See The Happy Athlete [2008]
A bit of satirical verse (pun intended) inspired by the following quote:
"The object of dressage is the development of the horse into a happy athlete through harmonious education." (FEI's Rules for Dressage Events, Article 401, Object and General Principles of Dressage)
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| | Metal, Myth and Equine Misery [2008]
When we talk of horses the word ‘technology’ does not immediately spring to mind. Yet there are two technologies that have been intimately associated with the horse for so long that we overlook their invidious nature and accept them without question: the bit and the horseshoe. The good news is that harmless alternatives to both technologies have now been developed, tested and widely practiced. The bit can be replaced with a cross under design of bitless bridle and with simple management changes a horse can go barefoot.
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| | Why is a Bit an Impediment to a Horse? [2007]
An introduction to some of the problems that are caused by bitted bridles. Links are provided to articles providing more in-depth evidence.
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| | Bit-Induced Diseases [2007]
An extract from the second article in our Fear of the Bit series, this table presents a list of over 40 diseases caused either directly or indirectly by the bit.
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| | Deep Throat and the Horse [2008]
An explanation of the physiological effects of bitting and eating and how that compromises a horse's ability to breathe.
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| | Are Bits Necessary for Dressage? [2007]
A text extract of an article by Jessica Jahiel, PhD, published in Dressage Today. Presented here with permission from the author and Dressage Today.
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| | Inspiration, Perspiration and Imitation [2007]
A short discourse on why the BitlessBridle is patented, and our attitude towards our imitators.
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| | Why is 'Rollkur' Wrong? (part one) [2007]
Observations on the Report of the FEI Veterinary and Dressage Committees' Workshop on 'The use of over-bending ("Rollkur") in FEI Competition,' January 2006. The practice of bit-induced over-bending is reviewed and evidence of its harm provided. | |
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| | Why is 'Rollkur' Wrong? (part two) [2007]
Continued observations on the Report of the FEI Veterinary and Dressage Committees' Workshop on 'The use of over-bending ("Rollkur") in FEI Competition,' January 2006.
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| | Why is Rollkur Wrong? (part three) [2007]
The conclusion (appendix) of observations on the Report of the FEI Veterinary and Dressage Committees' Workshop on 'The use of over-bending ("Rollkur") in FEI Competition,' January 2006.
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