In a significant move aimed at aligning competitive progress with equine welfare, the Danish Equestrian Federation (DRF) has announced a ban on the use of double bridles in dressage below Level 4, effective from 1 September 2025. The decision is part of a broader set of welfare reforms designed to ensure that horses’ mental and physical…
Q: What is a mechanical hackamore? A: A mechanical hackamore is titled misleadingly, as it is not really a hackamore at all, but a bitless bridle that uses leverage points on the horse's nose, jaw and poll. When pulled by the reins, shanks put pressure on the noseband, bringing the curb chain up against the chin and…
There are advantages to going bitless beyond humanitarian considerations. Riders from all disciplines can benefit from using a non-permanent bitless bridle. The most glaring difference between bitless riding and traditional riding is, of course, the lack of a bit. Recently bitless riding has grown in popularity among knowledgeable, competitive equestrians. The origins of bitless riding trace back…
