Debunking bitless myths
Language plays a powerful role in shaping how we perceive and understand the world around us, including the tools we use with our horses. When myths and misinformation persist, they can push people away from making better choices for their animals. On the other hand, with good education and a supportive community we can enable riders to make informed, ethical choices that benefit both themselves and their horses.
In this post, we will look at some common misconceptions around bitless equipment and its use. Each 'myth' is presented individually, so you can scroll and choose to read them in any order.
Myth: 'Hackamore' is a term for any bitless bridle
This is not true.
A hackamore is a specific type of bitless bridle, defined by the presence of shanks: cheekpieces that sit either side of the noseband. These pieces vary greatly in size, style and design, and are grouped into four families under a system developed here at Inca Equestrian.
You may see people using the term 'hackamore' to refer to any kind of bitless bridle, and this is unfortunately common among those with little knowledge of bitless equipment. It certainly does not help that many stores – particularly physical shops – carry only one type of bitless bridle, which is usually an English hackamore.
You may also see people refer to this English hackamore (or longer types such as the German hackamore) as just a 'hackamore'. This is inaccurate and often problematic, as it reinforces an idea that hackamores are a strong, harsh piece of equipment. Remember that a zero-shanked wheel is just as much a hackamore as the extremely long types, and a wholly different kind of tack.
How many types of bitless bridle are there?
There are a huge number of different bitless bridles available today, varying in type, design, style, size and more. All can be sorted into the following groups:
Sidepull, Hackamore, Cavesson, Rope halter, Bosal, Neckrope, and Headcollar.
Under each of these groups you will find variants, sub-types and bridles branded as 'unique' that are functionally similar to the rest of their group. And in each you will find ethical versions as well as unethical ones.
Myth: Bitless bridles are more humane
Ethical, correctly fitted bitless bridles are more humane than any bit. However, not this is not the case for all bitless equipment.
Many bitless bridles, including some of the most popular types, are unethical for use on any horse. Their use may be just as uncomfortable, if not more, to the horse than a bit is. Fit is also key: an improperly fitted bitless bridle may apply pressure in ways that is uncomfortable or harmful to the horse.
For more on what 'ethical' means when we're talking about horses and tack choice, check out this Knowledge Hub post.
It is also critical to consider the horse's preferences and other factors when looking at how comfortable an animal is with the equipment we are using. A bitless bridle that is ethical for one individual may not be so for another.
All the equipment available in the Inca Equestrian store has been chosen to provide as diverse range of ethical equipment as possible, to enable equestrians to find the best solution for their horse.
Myth: Bitless bridles do not have brakes
When discussing the 'stopping power' of a bridle, people are usually referring to its strength or harshness. Equating the force a bridle produces with the ability to control an animal is firstly, incorrect, and secondly, an example of poor horsemanship.
No equipment used by human hands can stop the force of a large, strong animal if they truly do not wish to comply in situations such as a bolt. Harsh equipment may generate compliance in a horse when used routinely, as the animal learns to anticipate pain and discomfort, seeking coping mechanisms and using avoidance behaviours to minimise this impact.
However, good animal stewardship and training does not work in this way. The safest way to be with horses is to create a solid foundation of good training and to provide a life outside of their work that is fulfilled physically, mentally and socially.
A comfortable and well-trained horse is a safer animal for us to work with, and that does not require strong tack to achieve. Putting an unprepared or poorly trained horse into a situation where the rider is relying solely on the harshness of their equipment to keep both parties safe is a deeply irresponsible thing to do.
Myth: Bitless bridles are less effective
The effectiveness of a piece of equipment comes down to how you use it. In general, equestrians are much more used to using bitted bridles, and their teachers are much more used to training methods adapted to this equipment. It should not come as a surprise that, for example, equipment tried for the first time by both horse and rider is not as immediately familiar as that which they have used for years.
Equestrians using bitless equipment have reached the highest levels of many sports, including competitive showjumping and endurance, and in activities such as dressage as part of displays or as HC competitors. A groundswell of amateur riders are also showing how accessible and adaptable ethical tack can be for equestrians of all backgrounds and disciplines.
As bitless bridles continue to become more widely used, and as riders continue to advocate for their inclusion in sports which currently exclude their participation, this equipment will become more widely seen as a viable option for more people.
Can I compete bitless?
Many disciplines and venues allow riders to compete bitless at both affiliated and unaffiliated levels, though sadly some high-profile sports still lag behind on this inclusion.
If you are not permitted to compete bitless, ask if you can participate HC (hors concours), which means participating without ranking for a prize. And be vocal: highlight exclusion (and inclusion!) where venues have these rules, celebrate the true position you achieved in the competition, and keep lobbying for proper inclusion of ethical equipment in sport.
Above all, do not be tempted to change to unethical tack just to compete. By putting sport before the horse, we do a disservice to our animals.
If you are in the UK and run either a bitless-specific competition class or allow bitless competitors to participate, get in touch with us to discuss sponsorship and prize donations!
Myth: A cavesson is a bitted noseband
And it's also a type of bitless bridle!
The word 'cavesson' has an extremely long history going back over 1,000 years to medieval Europe. The cavessons recorded from this time are very similar to both the standard and serrata cavesson types seen today: a bitless noseband with three rings on the upper side.
While typically used for groundwork, cavessons can also be used for riding – usually by attaching the reins to the side rings.
However, 'cavesson' has also become the name for a type of bitted noseband that uses a single strap attached around the horse's nose in a similar location to a bitless noseband. This noseband is used to hold the upper part of the horse's jaw closed, as part of a flash noseband to hold the flash strap, to attach a standing martingale, or for cosmetic reasons.
Myth: Hackamores are a western bitless bridle
For most of the world, this is not true.
A hackamore bridle is defined by the presence of shanks: cheekpieces that sit either side of the noseband. These pieces vary greatly in size, style and design, and are grouped into four families under a system developed here at Inca Equestrian.
However, some people from the Americas (particularly those involved in Western style riding and associated cultures), may refer to the bosal bridle as a 'hackamore'. Bosals are very different to hackamores, being made of a rawhide loop that passes loosely around the horse's nose.
This is a linguistic hangover from the history of the word 'hackamore', which made its way into English via colonial-era Spanish and ancient Persian before that. You can learn more about this fascinating history in an upcoming book by Inca Equestrian's founder. In modern times, most of the world uses the terms 'hackamore' and 'bosal' for these distinct bridles.