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Re: [RC] Bitless Bridle - Zephyr Arabians--- Chris Paus <paus@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: As you can see, it's more like a bosal. In fact, some people use the terms interchangeably. It is a stiff nosepiece. Reins are attached under the chin. The only thing I'd "correct" you on is that the bosal & sidepull are actually quite different. :) The sidepull (as in your link) is direct rein, with the reins attached at the sides of the face. It's an excellent piece of equipment for youngsters to learn to steer and for well-mannered horses. I ride my endurance mare in one for everything except the start of an endurance ride when she's in a bit just in case she decides to run through the sidepull since it has basically no "whoa" if the horse chooses to ignore it. The nose piece can be soft or stiff, depending on the materials it's made from. Many people are also using rope halter sidepulls that are simply rope halters with rings added to the sides for direct reins. Here's a photo of my mare modeling her sidepull: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3177&item=7167803359 (The seller is the person who braided it to my specifications; it's a sidepull-halter-bridle combo.) The bosal is a western riding piece of equipment that is also used for young horses. The reins attach under the chin. I suppose it's direct rein since it's used two-handed, but to my eye it looks more like something to train a horse to neck rein (as that would be the next step for a western horse). In the show ring, a "hackamore horse" is actually in a bosal, not a mechanical hackamore (which is yet another piece of equipment). Here's a bosal: http://www.lessismorehorse.com/bosal%20black%20wide%20shot.jpg The vosal is a variation of the bosal. Several of the endurance tack makers offer this option. The vosals I've seen in person have always had at least some metal parts. Here's a photo of a vosal: http://madtack.net/MaxTealVosal.jpg As Chris noted, the term "bitless bridle" now generally refers to the cross-under sidepull. Technically, however, any of the variations of bridles without bits would be bitless bridles. ;) And, of course, there are also mechanical hackamores. These are a grey area, with some people considering them bits and others considering them bitless. Mechanical hackamores, unlike the others above, have a lot of "whoa" and can be used quite harshly if not careful. Many horses go very well in them, and in the right hands are probably one of the best endurance options for horses that like them ("whoa" when you need it, but no bit in the mouth). ~Nicole Zephyr Arabians http://www.zephyrarabians.com KattWmn Web Design http://www.kattwmn.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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