Before using the bridle, read the user's manual carefully (if you do not have a user's manual, it is available by clicking here). It is important to fit the noseband LOW and SNUG. Horses can be introduced to the feel of the bridle by being lunged or long-lined in the bridle first, before they are mounted. The method of rigging the bridle for these purposes is explained in the manual. We recommend that the bridle be first used in a covered school or small paddock, so that horse and rider can gain confidence under optimally safe conditions. The exercise riders of young Thoroughbred racehorses can gain confidence in the bridle by first using it in the shedrow and with a neck strap in place. They may choose a compliant horse for their first bitless ride or take the steam out of a more aggressive horse by first lunging it or by giving it a turn round the track in a bitted bridle before using The Bitless Bridle™.

The Bitless Bridle's action depends on leverage applied from a firmly positioned 'O' ring on the cavesson noseband. The most common mistake in fitting is failure to place the noseband low enough. The second most common mistake is failure to cinch up the chinstrap sufficiently. If the Bitless Bridle's noseband is at the same level that is used for a bitted bridle, it is far too high. The bottom edge of the noseband should be not more than 1.5" or 2" (for a small or large horse respectively) from the corner of the horse's mouth. Once the level is correct, now cinch up the chinstrap so that only one FLAT finger can be inserted between the back of the jaw and the chinstrap. The noseband should not slide far up the face when tension is applied to the reins. If it does, leverage will be lost and the rider may have to work harder than necessary to communicate. Also, during prolonged use (during an endurance ride for example), a sore place could be rubbed on the side of the horse's face.

Before mounting, always check that you have not inadvertently trapped one or more of the crossover straps UNDER the chinstrap.