By accredited bit fitter Fiona Dearing (Bit Right Equine)
In my travels around Victoria, as well as in response to posts and articles I share, I can almost guarantee there will be a comment suggesting that a horse being ridden bitless causes less harm or discomfort than bitted options.
Often, it feels as though the person commenting is expecting an argument. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I regularly assist riders with transitioning to bitless options, and I firmly believe bitless bridles have a valuable place in modern horsemanship. Like any piece of equipment, however, they are only as good as their fit, their application, and the education that supports their use.
Pony Club Australia has led the way in this space, allowing bitless bridles at both rally and competition level. This progressive shift acknowledges that welfare-focused riding can look different for different horses. It also acknowledges that not all horses can work comfortably with even a well fitted bit. Some horses through injury, or past history simply find carrying a bit intolerable.
Before throwing the bit in the bin, it’s important to pause and consider what bitless really means, and what it doesn’t.
One of the most common misconceptions about bitless bridles is that removing the bit makes the horse “pressure free.” I can’t stress this enough…removing the bit does not remove all pressures. In reality, all that has changed is where the pressure is applied.
Instead of pressure being distributed within the mouth, it is transferred to other areas of the head depending on the style of bitless bridle chosen. These may include; the sides of the face, the bridge of the nose, under the jaw, and, around the poll. Each of these areas contains significant nerve pathways, soft tissue, and bony structures. They are no less sensitive than the mouth — they are simply different.
A side-pull bridle fitted or used incorrectly can place pressure on branches of the trigeminal nerve. In some cases, it can push the soft tissue of the cheeks into the molars, causing internal oral lesions that may go unnoticed (because these can’t generally be seen unless in a dental visit) until significant discomfort develops.
Similarly, some cross-under or mechanical designs can create concentrated pressure under the jaw or at the poll, particularly when used with strong or uneducated hands.
Bitless does not universally mean kinder. It means different.
Just as with bitted bridles, correct fit is critical. A poorly fitted bitless bridle can cause nerve compression, skin irritation, bruising, headshaking along with resistance or anxiety under saddle. In particular, noseband height, width, material, and stability all play a role in how pressure is distributed. A bridle that rotates, slips, or tightens unevenly can unintentionally amplify pressure rather than soften it. Just like with choosing a bit suitable for horse and rider level we also need to consider anatomy and sensitivity with a bitless bridle.
One of the biggest challenges I see with bitless bridles isn’t the bridle itself, it’s how quickly people expect the horse to adapt. Please, please, please don’t put a bitless bridle on your horse for the first time and head straight out to a rally, competition, or trail ride.
Your horse has spent time learning how to respond to a specific set of pressures. When you change the equipment and replace a bit with a bitless bridle, you change the language. Turning, stopping, and half-halt aids will feel different to horse and to rider, even if the rider’s intention remains the same.
A positive transition requires you to start your training to the bridle in a safe and enclosed environment. For the horse to transition effectively we need to retrain with clear, consistent aids and patience from the rider. Ideally, you’d be supported by a coach or knowledgeable professional during the transition.
This preparation becomes even more important in higher adrenaline environments such as competition, where clarity and confidence are essential for safety, for both horse and rider.
Finally, it’s also worth saying this plainly: switching to bitless should not be used to bypass unresolved issues or training gaps. If a horse is uncomfortable with a bit due to poor fit or style of bit, dental pain, tension, or rider inconsistency, those problems don’t disappear when the bit is removed. They will show up somewhere else.
Bitless bridles are a fantastic option to have available to us but they work best when chosen for the right reasons, not as a reaction to symptoms that haven’t yet been addressed. For some horses, bitless is absolutely the right answer. We all need to keep the horses’ comfort and understanding of the aids a priority regardless of being bitted or bitless. Our primary goal should always be that of effectively and kindly communicating with our horses in whatever tack works best for them.
