Nurtural Bitless Bridle

We are often asked how the Nurtural Bitless Bridle
compares to the Dr. Cook Bitless Bridle.

While all of today's many bitless bridles are undeniably great, there are of course differences in the designs. That the only way that bridles are granted patents.

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

This drawing from each patent shows the key differences between the Nurtural and Cook bridles.
Nurtural Bitless Bridle compared to Dr. Cook Bitless

Nurtural Bitless Bridle compared to Dr. Cook Bitless

In addition to the many customer comments, here is one of the first Independent study showing how the bridles work differently.

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.

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 2006

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

Other patented bitless bridles

A 1913 patented bitless bridle design

The photo to the left is from a 1913 patent titled "an improvement in bitless bridles" that appears to have crossunder straps.

The 1988 Bitless Bridle on the right, patented in the USA by Erwin Meroth has reinstraps that cross under the horse's chin and pass through rings that are connected to the noseband by a short strap .

Want to know more about some of the other bitless bridles patented in the world?
Go to http://ep.espacenet.com/
Here's the first 10 of 17 patents from a quick search for 'bitless and bridle' :

RESULT LIST
17 results found in the Worldwide database for:
bitless and bridle in the title or abstract

BITLESS BRIDLE WITH CROSSOVER REINSTRAP STABILIZER
Inventor: BROOKS ZOE C (CA)
Applicant: BROOKS ZOE C (CA)
EC: B68B1/04

Publication info: GB268824 - 1927-09-08

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