Riding a Horse With a Halter Instead of a Bridle

Riding a horse with a halter instead of a bridle is known as bitless riding. While there are many different styles of bitless bridles, a halter-style bridle is simple to make. To make a halter-style bridle, attach a lead rope to the center of the lower chinstrap or attach the reins to the halter on either side of the horse's mouth. This type of bridle provides the handler with adequate and humane control of the horse̵7;s head.

  1. Painless

    • Riding with a halter instead of a bridle is easier on your horse̵7;s mouth. Regardless of the rider's skill, a bit inflicts pain on the most sensitive area of a horse's body -- its mouth. Because halter-style bitless bridles do not have a metal rod that inflicts pain, they are recommended for inexperienced riders.

    Effectiveness

    • Because a horse experiences no pain from being ridden with a halter, it is more likely to respond to its rider's commands. Additionally, horses that are halter-bridle trained are less likely to develop bit-related behavioral problems, such as prancing or nervousness. Using a halter instead of a bitted bridle may also increase your horse's performance because it does not interfere with its gait or stride.

    Healthier

    • Many horses make the transition to a halter immediately and seem to prefer a bitless style bridle. Bitted bridles are known to cause bone spurs inside a horse̵7;s mouth as well as nerve disorders that cause constant shaking of the head. Bitted bridles have also been associated with causing asphyxiation and excessive salivation because they block the horse̵7;s airway.

    Considerations

    • A halter-style bridle should fit correctly. Halters that are too tight across the nose interfere with the horse̵7;s ability to breathe. Halters that are too loose may rub off hair or irritate the horse's skin. Additionally, if the halter reins are not properly fitted they can pull the halter to one side or make it difficult to control the horse. On a comfortably-fitted halter the nose band rests 2 inches below the horse̵7;s cheek bones and leaves enough room to place two fingers between the halter and the horse's skin.