Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

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I have used a jumping noseband which is similar to, and predates the current 
bitless bridles.  Jumping nosebands were developed in the 60's and used by 
showjumpers & foxhunters which is where I was introduced to it.  Have used now 
for almost 40 years on EVERY horse I ride (only rarely have started a race in 
Kimberwick with a 'new' horse whose schooling is still a bit limited).  I use 
at home, in groups, and at races.  To be effective with a blood horse & in 
exciting circumstances, it does require a schooled horse & rider with enough 
education to use classical rein effects.  You have no hardware and very little 
leverage - so need the schooling & hands to compensate.  I have found it VERY 
effective for spoiled horses (particularly off the track) who have learned to 
evade the rider with a bit.  If properly designed & used it has enormous 
stopping power & I have now developed a 'pelham' noseband that gives me both 
snaffel & curb vocabularly.  I currently ride an incredebly talented horse who 
is catty, athletic, and fast accross country - with brains and agility that 
make every ride a gift from the gods. However, he is also emotional, reactive, 
and strong - he is constantly trying to grab the 'bit.'  I ride in company 
front or behind and we did our 1st 50 this spring which was VERY intoxicating 
for my x-race horse.  I tried a bitless bridle and had a major explosion - it 
has too small a range of effects and I have had several arabs take violent 
objection to its continuous strong effect when they get 'up!' - I find the 
pelham noseband gives me a lot of shading - when my horse is good we go on very 
light rein and he loves the noseband - when he gets UP! I can use the very 
strong curb rein but only momentarily - as needed to get him back.  I have used 
the pelham noseband now on several very strong horses & absolutely love it.  
They are happy with the freedon & I am happy with the control.  I absolutely do 
not advocate the noseband or bitless bridle for every rider but if properly 
fitted, designed, and used they can work absolutely wonders for horses even 
with 'over-the-top' personalities.

===========================================================The very essence of 
our sport is doing the trail as quickly as practicable,
while keeping one's horse fit to continue.  Taking the clock out of the
equation makes it another sport altogether.  The challenge is how to keep
the sport what it is while honing our skills (both as riders and as those
in control roles) in detecting where "the edge" is for each horse so that
we don't cross it.
~  Heidi Smith
ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/

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