Better Bitless Bridles

At first glance, the Nurtural No-Bit Bridle may look quite similar to the many designs of bitless bridles that populate the Internet.
(Did you know that a bitless bridle of design somewhat similar to these other bridles was first patented in 1913?)

We call it 'BETTER' to make it clear that this is not a copy or imitation of any other bridle. It works better.

The Nurtural Bitless Bridle^TM is the only one with our patented "crossover reinstrap stabilizer"
(we call it a Circle-X). This is just one of the many facets of our unique design.

The design of the Nurtural Bitless Bridle^TM will affect more and different pressure points. It will send more messages to your horse, and those messages will be more consistent.

Unlike other bitless bridles:

1. The reinstraps of the Nurtural Bitless Bridle^TM are held securely under the jaw by our patented Circle-X

a. The Circle-X provides adjustment to you can position the reinstraps on the fat part of your horse’s cheek

- this gives your horse consistent signals, giving you maximum turning control

- reinstraps of other bitless bridles can slip to different positions on the cheek, or even fall off the cheek entirely

- this sends inconsistent signals to the horse, or no signal at all

b. The Circle-X holds the reinstraps in a loose 'cradle' ready to apply pressure when you pull on a rein

- you can adjust the Circle-X to give the very best fit for each horse

- there is no pressure on your horse's face unless you pull on a rein

- other bitless bridles have been reported to tighten up and apply unwanted pressure under the jaw

c. The Circle-X prevents our reinstraps from twisting and tangling under the jaw

- reinstraps of other bitless bridles can twist and tangle so badly that they have been reported to tighten under the horse's jaw and not release, causing the horse to run away to try to avoid the pressure created by the tightened tangle.
d. The Circle-X provides a consistent pressure point that is unique to our bridle. When you pull back on both reins, the Circle-X applies pressure under the jaw signaling the horse to stop.

- bitless bridle models without this have been reported to have less stopping power than the Nurtural Bitless

2. The noseband of Nurtural Bitless Bridle^TM is lined with rubber gripping material

a. This holds the noseband in the best position for your horse

- other bitless bridles have smooth nosebands that can slide up too high, changing the pressure point

- if the noseband slides too high, the horse can flip its nose forward and avoid your stop signal

b. Horses respect the rubber gripping and do not push into it; the textured noseband amplifies the pressure signal to the horse

- with other bridles, horses can push so hard into the smooth noseband that they create a permanent dent in their nose

3. The rein straps of Nurtural Bitless Bridle^TM are shorter than most other bitless bridles, with lots of adjustment

a. Lots of adjustment in the Nurtural rein straps lets you attach your reins close to the horse's mouth
If you are accustomed to a bit, this gives you the same feel as using a bit - controlling the horse at the lipcrease

Even if you and your horse have never used a bit, the short reinstraps provide clear consistent signals.

- other bitless bridles have long reinstraps with reins attaching back by your horse's ear

- you wouldn't think it would make a difference, but try it!

- you have much better control when you attach the reinstraps close to the horse's mouth.

4. The crownpiece of Nurtural Bitless Bridle^TM is always solid
a. The solid crownpiece ensures that the reinstraps do not slip

Consistent reins lengths send cleared messages and improve your control

- other bitless bridles with split crownpieces have the reinstraps as a single piece over the poll

- in these other designs, if you pull on one rein, it can become uneven (there's no Circle-X to hold them)

- imagine riding with one reins shorter than the other!

b. the solid crownpiece provides consistent gentle poll pressure to slow or stop

- split crownpieces mean more poll pressure and discomfort for your horse

Bottom line:

Our “Bitless Bridle with crossover reinstrap stabilizer” is a unique design different from any other bitless bridle, and is protected by 3 patents: Canadian Patent CA2522524; Worldwide Patent Pending PCT/CA2006/001597; US Patent Pending 12/066,167

In my hands, and in the hands of many of our clients, the Nurtural No-Bit Bridle gives better control of the horse than any other bitless system we have tried.

Zoe Brooks,
Designer

Leslie Smith Dow's article in Horse Canada provided a nice summary of the differences between the Nurtural No-Bit Bridle and the design previously seen:

What is so different about the Nurtural BRIDLE™?
Brooks’ carefully-designed bridle is adjusted with a ‘circle X’ — a piece of leather underneath the horse’s chin — which keeps the rein straps from dangling, and allows better positioning of where the straps cross under the horse’s cheek bones. The grippy rubberized noseband is intended to give better contact with the nose than smooth leather and, true to Brooks’ prediction, seems to help with a horse that likes to fling its head up (see page 8 of the September/October issue). The headstall has a single broad band running behind the ears. The bridle can be ordered with or without reins, allowing riders to use their own. The rings to which the reins attach are almost exactly where the bit would be, giving a similar feeling to both rider and horse. It was no trouble for me to steer a horse that usually feels like an 18-wheeler without brakes.

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Diagram comparing to Dr Cook Bitless Bridle

Diagram comparing Nurtural Bitless Bridle to Dr Cook Bitless Bridle

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We call it BETTER because of How and why I developed the bridle

My dream of owning a horse started as early in my childhood as I can remember, and became reality over forty years later when my husband and I bought a 500 acre farm just west of Sudbury, Ontario in 1997. Like so many first time horse owners, we listened to everyone’s wise advice to get older horses and professional help … and then went out and bought beautiful young horses to grow up with and love.

Over the years, my husband, son and I became enthused with an assortment of natural training methods. Meanwhile, we had decided to begin raising Canadian horses. I was thrilled when Hazel, a big opinionated untrained six year old Canadian mare would join and follow me in the round pen. I could even ride her around our 500 acre farm with only a rope halter. We began to develop the loving trusting relationship from the little girl’s dream.

The next ‘logical’ step was to put her in a bit and bridle. When I tried that ‘one step forward’, we quickly took ‘two giant steps back’! The horse that was happy and working so beautifully with me was suddenly unhappy and working against me. So I took the bit out and began my quest for a bitless bridle.

The bitless bridles I found (I tried a couple designs) did not work as well as Hazel and I needed. She, and other horses, would not steer or stop well at all. So I changed the design, filed a patent application and, with my sister, created the company Nurtural Horse. (Did you know that a search of the US patent database will reveal 12 patents for bitless bridles?)

I loved the idea of riding bitless, but the designs I tried would not give me the control I needed for Hazel. She, and my mare Lady, and a couple other horses I tried, simply would not turn or stop well. But the idea was great ... if only the design was a little better.

So I researched all available designs on the internet, listened to the problems reported in the chat groups, and began to tweak and turn until I could hold Hazel back even if she really wanted to run off with her buddies. With a lot of help and input from my husband and son, the design received final testing and approval from our horses. (We then filed a patent, which is at examination and expected to be finalized by the end of 2006.)

When people at the 2005 Royal Winter Fair in Toronto asked us to show them the pressure points, all we could say was "It's designed out of love, not science."

Since then, we have learned a great deal about pressure points and the science behind the magic.
All bridles work on pressure-and-release.
The Nurtural Bitless Bridle^TM works better!

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We call it BETTER because of Experiences of family and friends at our farm

These are a selection of the horses at our farm that have either converted from years of using a bit, or been trained from scratch with a Nurtural Bitless Bridle^TM. Guest riders often comment that they do not even realize they are riding without a bit! Horses shown here include, from left to right, Mystie - who rode with a bit her entire life until we started going Nurtural; our very feisty Mina - the first horse we trained completely No-Bit; Nine year old Eva, who had a handful of rides in a bit, then switched seamlessly; Cameron - the standardbred from the track - who took the saddle and no-bit bridle with no problems at all; my very opinionated Hazel - who is still sometimes a handful, but I am sure better than in a bit; and my Lady Louise who rode in a snaffle bit for seven years and now is MUCH happier and easier to control without a bit.

We have trained several young horses in the past couple years. Check out our horse training DVD.

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We call it BETTER because of ....Independent studies published in Horse Canada magazine

Horse Canada Articles

This series of articles was published in Horse Canada magazine in summer/fall 2005.

1. Bitless Bridle Update (The Bitless leading the witless)
... Review of a Dr.Cook style of Bitless Bridle

Conclusion:

The bitless bridle is a wonderful tool for training and for limited hunter-type arena jumping, particularly for learning riders and those rusty from a winter hiatus. Horses appreciate a break from the bit; riders can use the time to brush up on leg, seat and hand coordination. Low key hacking at walk or trot over familiar territory (with a buddy and wearing a helmet) on a usually calm horse may be a reasonable place to use the bitless bridle; use your own good judgment.

I won't try the bitless bridle for cross country, or galloping or cantering on a hack again. But I will continue to use it regularly as part of my training regimen. It's good for me and my horse.

2. Zoe's letter to introduce the Nurtural Bridle

Link above to read the letter.
The first leather Nurtural Bridle ever made was shipped to Leslie Smith Dow for her review.

3. FURTHER BITLESS Adventures (Leslie Smith Dow in a Nurtural BRIDLE)

The end result (for the Nurtural Bridle)?
All positive. When riding, I forgot I was using the Nurtural Bridle, since it feels so similar to a regular bit and bridle (though more leg and less hand are required, as with any bitless bridle). I finally feel my riding is progressing (also thanks to my super coach, Liz MacGregor) and intend to keep on using the Nurtural bitless bridle. I’m even thinking of taking it on an upcoming Hunter Pace.

Here's an update from Leslie, November 2005

I am still enjoying the Nurtural bridle and hack for hours in it, including long, crazy gallops in fields. I can actually stop my horse faster with a Nurtural bridle than I can with a bit, since he tends to fight the bit.

Leslie Smith-Dow, Horse Canada Magazine

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We call it BETTER because of .... Assessments by professionals like Cathy Inch

The photos show Cathy Inch , Northern Ontario’s premier show jumper, schooling a 5 yr old thoroughbred.

In late summer 2005, in the early days of the design of the Nurtural No-Bit Bridle, we asked Cathy Inch, of Foothills Farm, Sudbury, Ontario, to try it on some of her horses and give us her feedback, comments and suggestions.

When we were preparing to attend the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, Cathy kindly helped again by schooling Tango, shown here, so we could film some video. (We'll get the video online 'soon'.) We put the Nurtural Bridle on Tango and proceeded with Cathy's regular lesson. (She did not warm him up with a bit first.) Tango went into a frame, worked and jumped as if he was "on the bit". It was such fun to watch the looks on the faces of people at the 2005 Royal Winter Fair!

Cathy's comments: "I find no difference control-wise compared to a bit.

The standing martingale is not necessary when schooling as there is no resistance to the bit when using hand.

It's great after dentistry or for a horse with a sensitive mouth."

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We call it BETTER because we get... Many positive e-mails and messages from customers
Customer Comments

Here are some examples:

I have two of these and don't use any other bridles; and my girlfriends also use them.
Also my horses love them, and they make me feel secure on the trail, I can control my horse much better then side-pulls and even bits.... Thanks, Cindy

Your bridle seems to have fixed the things I didn't like about the Cook bridle. Janet

I wanted to let you know that I have one of your bridles and prior to that used Robert Cook Bitless bridles and yours is certainly an improvement. Irene

I just want to tell you how appreciative I am that you all not only offer such a wonderfully superior, innovative product, which is an honor to offer, but you guys have been so great to work with and I really appreciate that. Thanks again! Florida Tack Store Texas parade ride in Nurtural Bitless Bridle

I have a 4 year old Belgian/QH gelding. I have had him since he was 5 months old.

I started training him to ride and went through all kinds of bits, sidepulls, bosals, and bitless bridles. Of all the products I have tried the Nurtural Bridle is the BEST. It is most user friendly and easy to care for.