December, 2007

Bitless Horse Association Created

A Bitless Horse Association has been founded by a group of enthusiasts in the UK to act as a global gathering place for all bitless riders.  The association hopes to coordinate news about bitless competitions that are being arranged in different parts of the world (we have heard of plans in Belgium, South Africa, UK and USA) and to encourage efforts on the part of individuals to persuade national federations, pony clubs and other organizations to update rule changes to permit crossunder bitless bridles in competitive events.  The website is in process of being created but keep watch at www.bitlesshorse.org

Bitless Bridle Associate Clinician Update

We now have international agents in 18 different countries, with more than one agent in some countries.  This month, we welcome two additions to our team, from Iceland and Brazil.  Click here for the full list.

"Metal in the Mouth" Goes Multi-Lingual

Dr. Cook's book, "Metal in the Mouth: The abusive effects of bitted bridles" is in process of being translated into French, Dutch, German and Swedish

November, 2007

Are Bits Necessary For Dressage?

The well-known author and clinician, Dr. Jessica Jahiel, published an article recently in 'Dressage Today' that will be of interest to readers of this newsletter: "Are Bits necessary for Dressage?"  The article is available online by kind permission of the author and the journal, click here.

Bitless Bridle Competes at the Springfield Equine Affaire

At this month’s Equine Affaire in Springfield, MA, our first appointed Bitless Bridle Instructor, Cathie Hatrick-Anderson from Upton, MA rode her bitless 7-year-old horse CACHINA in the first ‘Versatile Horse & Rider Competition’ and gained a creditable 11th place with a young horse.  Photos are available by clicking here.

Bitless Driving from the Distant Past

Carriage drivers today are often rather shocked at the suggestion that the BitlessBridle can be used for driving, which it can – with advantage.  Yet historically, bitless driving probably preceded bitted driving. Click here to learn more... 

October, 2007

More Recognition of the Negative Effect of Bits

The Companion Animal Welfare Council in the UK has an item on its agenda for January 2008, “Dressage bits: Potential welfare issues.”

Bit-Induced Bone Spur Research Continues

Bit-induced bone spurs on the bars of the mouth are extremely common.  Continuing his survey of horse skulls in Natural History Museums, Dr. Cook spent a couple of days this month in the basement of the American Museum of Natural History in New York.  Click here for more (photos)...

Ivory Pal Goes Bitless!

Ivory Pal has entertained spectators at various events by performing to choreographed music where he displays his natural gaits, rearing on command, half passes, side passes, piaffe, levad, and bowing.  He has even performed bridleless and in April 2007, Ivory Pal made his Bitless Bridle debut while performing at Equifest 2007!  Ivory Pal, as well as all our horses, are all ridden with your Bitless Bridle and we have cleaned our tack room of all the bits.  At all events and shows, Ivory Pal is clearly a crowd favorite and pleaser, he is always kept busy posing for pictures and handing out his "autographed" pictures for his fans.  We regularly receive e-mails from Ivory Pal's large and rapidly growing fan club.  Click here for more (photos)...

Bit-Pain Awareness Grows

The UK journal ‘British Dressage’ published an article this month by Linda Waller, a dressage judge, with the interesting title, “Are we causing unnecessary pain.”  The article cited and was triggered in part by Dr. Cook’s report to the FEI entitled “Why is Rollkur Wrong?”

September, 2007

A Voice from the Past Opposing Blinders

Dr. Cook spent another day this month at one of his favorite places, the National Sporting Library, Middleburg, VA.  The literature research never fails to come up with treasure.  One gem from this visit was an opinion on the controversy about whether or not blinders (or blinkers, as they are called in the UK) were necessary for driving.  George Fleming, CB, LLD, FRCVS, Principal Veterinary Surgeon of the Army at the end of the 19th century and the author of a classical book on ‘Roaring in Horses’  wrote, “There can be no doubt whatever that fashion and custom alone sanction their use … Blinkers ought to be abolished.”

Epiglottal Entrapment

An article on epiglottal entrapment in the Veterinary Record, the official  journal of the British Veterinary Association in which the cause of this defect was said to be unknown, prompted Dr. Cook to submit a letter to the editor.  The letter was not published but  is available online for anyone who is interested, as it is Dr. Cook’s opinion that the defect is caused by the presence of the bit admitting air into the mouth and elevating the soft palate.  The same mechanism is responsible for dorsal displacement of the soft palate.  The article is available online, click here.

August, 2007

Le Trec

Le Trec is an increasingly popular FITE sport.  Not being governed by the FEI, crossunder bitless bridles are not only permitted but actively encouraged.

Olympic Hopeful...

We hear on the grapevine that a leading Olympic dressage rider, Christine Stuckelberger, has tried the Bitless Bridle and likes it.

Bitless Bridles Donated to the Pony Club

A number of Bitless Bridles have been donated to executives of the Pony Club in the USA and distributed by Stormy May in the hope that they will give the bridles a trial and become familiar with their many advantages for young riders.  Feedback is awaited with interest.  Currently, the Pony Club follows FEI guidelines, with the result that children are obliged to use bitted bridles for Pony Club competitions.

July, 2007

The Bitless Bridle Sponsors Carlos Tabernaberri

The Bitless Bridle is now sponsoring Carlos Tabernaberri, an Australian-based trainer emphasizing cooperative relationships between horse and rider. Described as the ‘next generation of horsemen’ and the ‘gentlest horseman’ yet to touch a horse, Carlos Tabernaberri rejects the use of bits in favor of developing understanding and pain-free communication. His practical physical, emotional and mental techniques have achieved remarkable results with horses and riders, regardless of discipline, helping hundreds of people around the world to develop extraordinary partnerships with their horses.  Click here for more (photos)...

The "Original" Bitless Bridle?

The earliest known development of the crossunder design of bitless bridle can be credited to Ike Grimsley, a bulldogger in the rodeo world.  Ike came from Swink in Colorado and was nicknamed ‘Ink of Swink.’  The bridle was made and used by a small circle of bulldoggers (men who hired out teams of horses for rodeo work) in the early 1950s but was never marketed.  Click here to learn more (photos)...

May 2007

The Horse "Steven James," by Tany Walsh

Corrine Wilson sent us this story about a famous jumper in South Africa, Steven James:
My dearest friend Tanya decided to try your bridle. Here are her comments and a picture of her and the horse - "Steven James" at a local event in Noordhoek, South Africa. The horse is a legend in South Africa and a little notorious for being quite a handfull. A special mention of your bridle was announced over the loud speaker as she completed her round finishing second.  Click here to read more (photos)...

March 2007

FEI Terminates Correspondence Regarding The Crossunder Bitless Bridle

An email correspondence has been taking place over the past two years between Dr. Cook and the Secretary General of the FEI, Michael Stone.  Two years ago, the Secretary General had undertaken to ask his colleagues in Switzerland to carry out a trial of the crossunder bitless bridle.  Dr. Cook was asking for feedback from the trial and subsequently presenting the evidence for a rule change proposal to permit the cross-under bitless bridle for dressage and other disciplines.  Sadly, the feedback from the trial was that none of those who had used the bridle felt that a rule change was justified and the Secretary General himself was unconvinced by the evidence in favor of such a change.  The correspondence was terminated this month by the Secretary General.

Many riders would like to see The Bitless Bridle become a permitted item of equipment for FEI sponsored competitions in all disciplines.  However, in order for this to be considered, proposals for rule changes need to be submitted.  Proposals cannot be sent to the FEI.  The national federations have to first recommend such a change.  So in the USA, for example, proposals need to be submitted to the USEF.  These can only be submitted by members of the USEF and the USEF state in their guidelines that the chances of getting a rule change accepted is enhanced if the applicant can muster the support of at least one USEF committee member. 

If you are interested in submitting a Rule Change Proposal (and we urge you to do so), we have some useful information on the process available by clicking here.

February, 2007

The Bitless Bridle Featured in Horse Classics Calendar

The Bitless Bridle is featured in the 2007 Horse Classics wall calendar, in the February photo.  The photo shows Wendy Benns (left) on "Mariah" in a hackamore, and Cathy Mezenberg (right) on "Taran" in The Bitless Bridle.  The event is the Aquilla Run on the Lake Huron shore in Kincardine, Ontario, Canada.  The calendar is available at www.horseclassics.com.  A cropped version of the photo can be seen by clicking here...

Certified Horsemanship Association and The Bitless Bridle Join Forces

The Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) and The Bitless Bridle Inc. are partnering to help horses. Many riding instructors have those good old reliable school horses that safely and patiently pack around beginner riders, occasionally cheating around the corners, but otherwise good solid citizens that work hard and earn their keep.  These horses often endure daily punishment from their riders; most riders never intend to punish the horse, but as beginners struggle to find their balance in the saddle, invariably the horse is hit in the mouth and slammed in the back, time after time. These horses are priceless to any lesson or trail program; wouldn't it be nice if we could keep them happy and fit for years to come? Click here for more...

January, 2007

Research on Rein Tension Published

Some interesting research on the measurement of rein tensions was published this month by a team in Australia (Warren-Smith et al, Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 108, 157-169, 2007) ,  Rein tensions during long lining were found to be greater than those applied during riding.

The forces applied by the rider to the reins in pounds (lbs), grams (g) or Newtons (N) are not of course the same as the forces in pounds per square inch that are focused by the bit on the horse’s tongue and bars of the mouth but the authors point out that rein tension can be measured more accurately than bit pressure. 

“Light contact” (i.e. at the walk in a straight line) has been measured by previous authors as being close to 4 Newtons for riding and 5 Newtons for long lining.  As 1N = c.100g this translates to a pressure of c.400-500g respectively (c.13-17 ozs.).  In each case, this was about 100g greater than the weight of the reins. Warren-Smith et al found median rein tensions for long-reining and riding of 5.76 N and 5.29 N respectively, irrespective of whether the horses were ridden with a halter or bridle or whether the test was completed at the walk or trot.  Rein tensions for ‘halt’ were considerably higher than for any other signal: c.25N (c.5lbs) for long reining and c.15N (3lbs) for riding.
 
[During these tests there were no emergency moments of crisis, so it can only be surmised what rein tensions rise to when a rider inadvertently throws the whole of her weight and momentum against the reins.  Some experiments carried out in St. Petersburg, Russia, under the auspices of Alexander Nevzorov, revealed that at a moment of a sudden jerk, tensions can rise to 600lbs (c.2880 N). It would only need one such blow on the bars of the mouth to damage the periosteum (gum) and trigger the formation of a bone spur]

October, 2006

Italy Takes Silver in the European Horse Balll Championship

From Alberto Barozzi:
I am very happy to inform you that yesterday, in Belgium, we have gained the silver medal during the European Horse Ball Championships. The final game score ... Italy: 5 - France: 9.   The other results:

Great Britain-Italy: 7 - 8
Austria - Italy: 2 - 15
Germany - Italy: 4 - 14

The Bitless Bridle Video Search

We are looking for good-quality video of horses being ridden or driven in The Bitless Bridle. If you have video of your horse wearing our bridle, contact our Customer Service department.  We may ask your permission to use sections of your film in a training or promotional video, and reward you with a free BitlessBridle!

A PowerPoint presentation discussing the poster has been compiled and could be provided on request for talks and demonstrations.

A related abstract will be published in the proceedings of the conference and is available online (click here). 

FEI & The Bitless Bridle

Michael Stone, the Sports Director and Acting Executive Officer of FEI wrote to Dr.Cook and reported that none of the riders who had tried the bridle in Lausanne, Switzerland recommended a rule change to permit its use.  Though the feedback is disappointing, it will not be accepted as the final word on this matter of importance.  Many riders would like to see The Bitless Bridle become a permitted item of equipment for FEI sponsored competitions in all disciplines.  However, in order for this to be considered, proposals for rule changes need to be submitted.  Proposals cannot be sent to the FEI.  The national federations have to first recommend such a change.  So in the USA, for example, proposals need to be submitted to the USEF.  These can only be submitted by members of the USEF and the USEF state in their guidelines that the chances of getting a rule change accepted is enhanced if the applicant can muster the support of at least one USEF committee member.  For advice on submitting proposals, click here.

Video Footage

With the help of a professional photographer and sound recorder, Dr.Cook now has 200 minutes of video footage "in the can."  He will be using this in due course for a video publication.   He would like to collect good quality video of bitted and bitless riding in all disciplines (ideally, before-and-after illustrations) and invites riders to send him footage of their horses in action for possible inclusion.

Bitless Driving at the Three Counties Show, UK

Laura has been riding bitless for six years and driving bitless for four years.  At the major Three Counties Show this year she drove her horse Tazzie in le trec driving on each of the three days, coming in second on two of the days.  Tazzie is a horse that was classified as dangerous when driven in a bit.

We have a New Office

Having outgrown the space at York, our office has moved to 1200, Nursery Road, Wrightsville, PA 17368.  Our new telephone number is (717) 252 2058 and our Fax number (717) 252 0259.  Our toll free number remains the same (866) 235 0938 as does our email address info@bitlessbridle.com.

BitlessBridle Featured on Cover of Practical Horseman

Wendy Wergeles, a trainer and 'R' Event judge based in California wrote an eight-page article in the March issue of Practical Horseman.  The article is illustrated with a further 15 photographs, showing her negotiating a line of jumps in The BitlessBridle.   In addition to being an event judge, Wendy is an 'R' Technical Delegate and cofounder and Vice-President of the American Medical Equestrian Association's Safe Riders' Foundation.

Remodeled Bitless Bridle Website

Our new website is up and running:

December 2005

Bitless Bridle Instructor Program

Another new program has been launched whereby selected individuals with the right credentials are appointed as BitlessBridle Instructors.  We welcome our first appointee, Cathie Hatrick-Anderson of Upton, Massachusetts (www.bobcatfarm.com).

Tevis Endurance Ride, 2005

Congratulations to Logos Hall and his horse Mouse for being the first to finish the Tevis in The Bitless Bridle.  Their picture was on the front cover of Endurance Magazine, and can be seen by clicking here.

Miniature Horse Bitless Driving Bridles

Now available

Bitless Bridle Exhibitor Program

This program enables experienced BB supporters to represent the company at trade shows.

Nancy Moras ARCIP

Nancy is a certified ARIA instructor willing to answer inquiries from potential customers for the BB (Tel: 570 897 7323).  She has adopted a policy whereby she will in future decline to teach any student who is not willing to use the BB.