What Is the Difference Between a Bitless Bridle & a Side Pull?

Get it straight from the horse's mouth, if you must, but standard bridles and bitless bridles have one major difference---the bit. As the name suggests, bitless bridles lack a bit, and there are many reasons a rider might choose one style over the other.

  1. Bridles

    • Standard bridles have a bit, which is a metal bar that goes in the horse's mouth and allows the rider more control over the horse's head. There are many different types of bits, such as the snaffle bit and the curb bit.

    Bitless Bridles

    • Bitless bridles are used for a variety of reasons---in basic training, for horses with mouth injuries and facial deformities, to reform bad riding practices and to give horses a break from the more strict demands of a bit.

    Side Pull Bridle

    • A side pull bridle is a type of bitless bridle. The reins on a side pull bridle are attached to rings on each side of the horse's muzzle, and a nose piece connects from one ring to the other. When the reins are pulled back, or to one side, pressure is applied to the horse's nose to indicate the desired action.

    Types of Side Pull Bridles

    • There are different names for side pull bridles, but all possess essentially the same features. You might hear a side pull bridle called a cavesson, an Indian or jumping hackamore, a Lindell or a Scrawbrig.

    Materials

    • Side pull bridles are usually made of leather or rope, with lariat rope or nylon nose pieces of varying widths. A wider nose piece provides softer pressure, and a thin nose piece creates more severe pressure.