Bitless

Why ride bitless?

The reasons we hear most often in the shop: dental problems or a sensitive mouth, a horse that has become wary of contact after a period of discomfort, or simply the wish to give a horse more freedom in the mouth. Bitless is also a good option for hacking out, for recovery after dental treatment, and for rebuilding trust.

What bitless is not: a solution to a steering problem. The pressure moves to the nose and the poll, but it does not disappear. A horse that leans on a bit can lean on a noseband just as easily.

The three set-ups

Sidepull

The simplest form, and a complete bridle in itself: the reins attach on either side of the noseband and pressure arrives directly, one to one, on the nose. You steer laterally, much as you would in a headcollar. Mild, predictable and easy for the horse to understand — a logical first step if you want to try bitless.

Cross-under bitless bridle

On a chin-cross or jaw-cross bridle, the straps or cords run beneath the head and cross over, spreading pressure across nose, cheeks and poll. Many horses find this comfortable, but the action is less direct: the pressure releases with a slight delay. Give your horse time to adjust and start in hand and on the lunge. This is also a complete bridle; all you need to add is reins.

Hackamore

A mechanical hackamore has shanks and therefore works as a lever: pressure on the nose, the curb groove and the poll, amplified by the shank length. The longer the shanks, the stronger the action. This is by no means a gentle option — a long-shanked hackamore can be considerably sharper than an ordinary snaffle. It is used mainly in showjumping and cross-country, where it gives clear, quick communication with nothing in the mouth. To understand how leverage works, see our page on leverage bits.

Unlike the sidepull and the cross-under, a hackamore is not a complete bridle but a separate component you mount onto one.

Which bridle do you need?

For a hackamore you need a bridle without a bit and without a noseband. The hackamore has its own nosepiece, and that cannot be combined with a cavesson, Hanoverian or flash noseband — they get in each other's way and press on the same spot. So an ordinary snaffle bridle will do, but only with the noseband removed. Our bitless bridles include models made precisely for this.

If you switch between bitted and bitless, look for convertible bridles with removable bit hangers. One bridle then covers both situations — handy if you compete in a bit and ride bitless at home or out hacking.

When fitting, take the rest of the bridle as seriously as you would a snaffle bridle. Headpiece and cheekpieces need to sit well, because poll pressure plays a larger role in bitless riding than you might expect.

Fitting it correctly

The noseband should sit low enough to act on the bony part of the nose, but never so low that it presses on the vulnerable cartilage. As a guide, keep at least three fingers' distance above the end of the nasal bone. Fitting it too tightly can restrict breathing — precisely what you were trying to avoid.

Permitted in competition?

Dressage (KNHS)

Bitless riding is permitted in KNHS dressage tests, and since 1 April 2025 up to and including class ZZ-Zwaar. Four set-ups are allowed: the sidepull, the chin-cross and jaw-cross bitless bridles, and a regular permitted bridle without a bit where the reins attach directly to the noseband.

Specific requirements apply to the bridle: it must be leather, the noseband at least 2 cm wide and without a metal core, and any cords at least 6 mm in diameter. Judges assess harmony and contact exactly as they would for a combination with a bit. Not every bitless bridle on the market meets these requirements — models often fall short on a metal ring at the nose or a noseband that is too narrow.

Showjumping

This is where most confusion arises, so to be clear: the hackamore is not permitted in dressage. In showjumping it is allowed, but only from 130 cm — and not for ponies. Below that level you may compete in a sidepull.

The KNHS position is unambiguous: if your bridle does not appear in the tack guide, it is not permitted. Always check the current guide for your discipline and level before you enter. Unsure about a specific model? Ask us and we will look it up for you.

Making the change carefully

Start in an enclosed arena, work in hand and in walk first, and test your brakes before you head out. Have your instructor take a look when choosing and during the first rides — someone who sees the two of you in motion notices things you can never read on a product page.

If your reason for going bitless is a problem in the mouth, have the teeth checked by a dental professional first. Bitless riding is then an aid during recovery, not a substitute for treating the cause.

If bitless turns out not to suit you both, that is not a failure. Have a look at our snaffles with a soft, anatomically shaped mouthpiece — sometimes a different bit is a kinder answer than no bit.

Advice from people who ride

Bitless is not a novelty item for us but a serious option, and that calls for an honest conversation. In our 400 m² showroom in Lemelerveld — on the N48 between Raalte and Ommen — you can compare the set-ups side by side, feel how pressure is distributed, and work out with us what suits your horse. Rather talk it over first? Send us a WhatsApp message. You will get a personal reply, and if we think bitless is not the right route, we will say so.