Sidepulls explained
Bitless bridles have surged in popularity as riders look for gentler, more natural ways to connect with their horses. Among the various styles available, the sidepull bridle stands out for its simplicity, direct communication and lack of rein pressure amplification. Whether you're exploring bitless riding for ethical reasons or simply looking for a better bridle for your horse, the sidepull is often a great place to start.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about sidepull bitless bridles: what they are, how they work, who they’re for, and how to choose the right one for your horse.
What is a sidepull bitless bridle?
A sidepull is a type of bitless bridle that allows you to communicate with your horse using direct pressure on the bridge of the horse's nose exclusively. Unlike traditional bridles that use a bit in the horse’s mouth, a sidepull applies pressure externally. This makes it a popular choice among riders looking to avoid mouth discomfort for their horse. It also does not use poll pressure, which bitless bridles such as hackamores do.
Typically, a sidepull features:
- A noseband
- Side rings to attach the reins to
- A headstall (like any standard bridle)
How does a sidepull work?
The sidepull works on direct rein pressure, meaning when you pull on the right rein, the pressure is felt on the right side of the horse’s nose, and vice versa. This makes it very intuitive for both horse and rider (especially those transitioning from bitted bridles).
Unlike mechanical hackamores, which apply rein pressure to the poll and sometimes also increase the perceived pressure to the horse from the rider's rein aids, sidepulls simply apply 1:1 rein pressure to the upper noseband of the bridle only.
Standard sidepulls also differ from cross-under sidepull bridles, which apply pressure across the noseband, underside of the jaw, and sometimes across the whole head and poll. Cross-under sidepulls are a particularly unpleasant kind of bridle and should never be used. They function by rein pressure causing straps to constrict around the horse's head or jaw (depending on the design).
Benefits of using a sidepull
Switching to a sidepull can offer multiple advantages, especially for horse welfare and communication:
- Gentle on the mouth: No bit means no pressure on the bars, tongue or palate of the horse's mouth.
- Simple and effective: The direct pressure and simple mechanism are easy for both horse and rider to adjust to.
- No poll pressure: Great for horses with poll sensitivity or a history of trauma in this area.
- Good for starting out: Sidepulls are great for those new to bitless riding or for young horses to build softness and partnership.
Can I compete in a sidepull?
There is nothing inherent about a sidepull bitless bridle that disadvantages it compared to a bitted bridle. Culture is changing on bitless bridle inclusion in sport, with more and more organisers allowing those who choose more ethical tack to participate.
If the organiser does not currently allow bitless bridles, request change, speak out and lobby for inclusion. And keep in mind that we should always put the horse first and competition second: is it right to put our horses in uncomfortable tack just to compete?
Choosing the right sidepull for your horse
The Inca Equestrian sidepull has been designed with equine comfort first and foremost. It is a very lightweight bridle, with triple layer padding across the upper noseband and poll. Made using genuine BioThane, it is resistant to abrasion, tears and cracks, flexible over a large temperature range, easily washable with a bit of soap and water, and resistant to mould and mildew.
It is also very important to have a sidepull bridle fitted correctly to ensure it is comfortable for the horse and working as intended. Check out our bridle fitting guide for more details.
As with any tack, success depends on fit, quality, and training. Take the time to ensure your horse understands what’s being asked, and you’ll likely find that riding without a bit opens up new doors in your horsemanship journey.