Fitting Instructions for the Nurtural Bitless Bridle

Play Video of How to Fit
Proper fit is very important to ensure the bridle straps are positioned ideally
and that there is enough slack to optimize pressure and release.

See videos of first rides in the Nurtural Bitless Bridle.

Fittiing the Nurtural Bitless Bridle

When properly fitted:

1. The noseband sits just on the hard part of the nose.

- loosen the buckles and move it down, then buckle it "one-finger" loose

2. The reinstraps are shortened so the reins attach approximately 2 to 3 inches from the horse's mouth, mimicking the action of reins on a bit.

- loosen the buckles and pull the reinstraps through the Circle-X until they extend only 2 to 3 inches through the ring.

3. The reinstrap crosses the fattest part of the horse's cheek.

- pull the reinstraps through the Circle-X to move it forward or backwards until the reinstraps cross the fattest part of the horse's cheek

4. The Circle-X is positioned centrally under the jaw

- with all this pulling, make sure the Circle-X sits comfortable under the jawbone.

Noseband position for the Nurtural Bitless Bridle

Leave some comfort room!
With loose reins, you should be able to easily slide a couple fingers:

    - between the noseband and the horse's nose

    - between the reinstraps and the horse's cheeks

    - between the Circle-X and the horse's jaw.

With loose reins, there should be little-to-no pressure anywhere on the horse's head.

Check for 'slack at the back'!
Notice how the reinstrap the brown horse below is tight and cuts into the cheek as it crosses the jawbone.
Compare that to how it rests gently with no pressure on the jawbone of the white horse, properly fitted.
When properly fitted, the Nurtural Bitless exerts no pressure on your horse except for your brief rein pressure-and-release when you ask your horse to turn, slow or back up.
Check that you can wiggle all your fingers between the reinstrap and the jawbone!

To correct the above fitting problem:
Remove the keepers from your Circle-X.
Pull the reinstrap through to put more at to the back, so you can easily wiggle your fingers between the jaw and the strap.
It is just a matter of how much reinstrap is behind or in front of the Circle-X.

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Of course, there are exceptions to every rule.

a. Some people prefer to place the noseband higher than shown, perhaps to more closely mimic the noseband of an English bridle. (I put the noseband higher on Lady Louise, shown here, one day and found that my stop and turn control was not as good as when it is placed as shown ... but remember, that is how it works for ME and MY HORSE)

b. Others prefer to place the noseband slightly lower than shown on Lady, similar to the photo of Eva to the right. They believe that the lower noseband gives them better control of a horse that may buck or be difficult to stop.
(I put the noseband lower on Lady Louise, one day and she kept sneezing until I raised it ... but remember, experiences may differ with YOU and Your HORSE.)

c. Some folks like to attach the reins even closer to the rings than shown They say it lets their Western reins maintain a smoother loop.

d. Other folks like to attach the reins farther away from the rings than shown above. Some say it gives the reins a faster release. (I find that I have MUCH better control with reins attached at the length shown... but remember, experiences may very well differ with YOU and Your HORSE. I ride with the reinstraps adjusted as shown on Lady, but lengthen them, as shown on Eva to the right) for ground work or round-pen training. I am sure that more experienced riders will individualize their setups.)

e. It's purely personal choice: some like to buckle the reins directly to the ring of the reinstrap while others prefer snap-on reins. (The snaps of the reins on the rings can create extra bulk and interfere with the flow of the reins, but they are very handy!)

That's it! Show the horse how it works, and, as with any piece of new equipment, take small safe steps forward. (Most folks start in a round pen or ring, and make minor adjustments as they check each exercise. I have seen some new users clearing 3 foot jumps and galloping across fields within minutes, but I do not recommend it!)

See videos of first rides in the Nurtural Bitless Bridle.

To remove the bridle, simply undo the buckle of a single reinstrap and slip the bridle over the crown and ears, and off the nose. Some people prefer to undo the noseband as well.

Once your bridle is fitted for your horse, just slip it back on, fasten the reinstrap buckle, and maybe the noseband buckle too, and you are ready to go!

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