What Is the Purpose of Horse Bridles?

Bridles are a tool the rider uses to communicate with the horse about direction, flexibility and speed. It is important to be patient, use light pressure and release the bridle when the horse responds and to assist the cues of the bridle with leg pressure. All bridles, whether attached to hackamores, snaffles or curb bits, can relay the same message to the horse if used properly.

  1. Guiding the Horse

    • The direct pull of a hackamore or side -ull bridle communicates to the horse which direction you want his forward motion to go. Stopping, backing or turning can be done with just one rein of the bridle. From the hackamore reins, a horse gives with his nose, and from the snaffle reins, he follows the feel in his mouth.

    Lateral Flexion

    • Lateral flexion, a horse's response in its neck and trunk, is an important part of gaining control of your horse; therefore, it is one of the first things to achieve with your horse. According to Craig Cameron, "by bending your horse right and left with a single rein, you control where his body goes." The use of a snaffle bit or side-pull is the best choice to communicate lateral flexion. Pick up one rein and hold pressure; do not pull. Wait for the horse to respond by bending toward you. When he does, release the pressure of the rein. Soon, he will make the connection between rein pull and bending.

    Control the Forehand

    • When the front end of the horse moves around the hind end, it's called forehand movement. Picking up one rein and moving it out to the direction you are headed along with slight neck pressure with the opposite or indirect rein is the proper way to ask the horse to perform forehand movement.

    Collection

    • One key in horsemanship is to get your horse working off the bit. Collection balances the horse's weight on all four feet, making the horse more capable of performing a correct stop, spin and back. One cue to collect your horse instead of a steady pull or hold with your hands is to single your horse with a soft, rocking motion of the bit.

    Developing a Good Back-Up

    • Guiding your horse to back up properly involves using slight pressure to "break" the horse at the poll--the area between his ears at the first two vertebrae. When you teach your horse to back, use slight pressure on the reins, picking up the right rein when he picks up the front right foot and picking up the left rein when he moves his front left foot. Alternating the reins with the movement of the horse's feet will help the horse to collect himself, making it easier for him to back up.