'BITLESS AND TREELESS'
We have recently added a new dimension to our riding here at Exmoor Riding. We are great believers in giving the horse and rider as natural experience with the horses and the rides as possible, and have introduced them (and our riders) to bitless cross-under bridles, and treeless saddles. We have some very comfortable Freemax Evo endurance and General Purpoase saddles. Both are SO comfortable, and the gel in the saddles keeps you so warm in the cold winter months! The heat from the horses helps to warm them up and keeps them supple, so you feel the horses' muscles beneath you. A really comfortable, gentle ride, excellent for aching backs.
The bridles and saddles require an independent seat, with no 'hanging' on the reins, or sack of potatoes riding, so if you have a desire to find out how it feels to ride without a bit in the horses mouth, and on a lovely soft, comfortable treeless saddle, then ride with us. One of my riders was so delighted with her saddle she bought one and had it shipped to Australia!!
When you are first considering whether to ride naturally it is a very difficult decision, and a great leap of faith, to use this new tack, as you do not want to upset your horse, or find yourself in a situation in which you feel you have no control. But I have found it quite an exiting and liberating journey. I am no expert, but feel that by riding bitless and treeless I am offering the horses the opportunity to have comfort during their riding experience. They seem to benefit from the experience, and enjoy their rides. Sirrus, our kind little mare, particularly hated the bit in her mouth, even though I have always ridden her in a really light mouthed bit, always with her ears a little stressed and her head to one side. When I found out about bitless bridles she was the first to try one, and now goes happily with her ears forwards, riding straight and forward going. Both Sirrus and I are delighted.
Hold Your Horses are local to us on Exmoor, but they export all over the world, have designed treeless saddles for many equestrian professionals, and make excellent treeless saddles, at a very competitive price. Their service is personal and excellent, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Well done Hold Your Horses.
Our bitless bridles have come from Dr Cook's, who produced the original bitless bridles in America, now available in the UK. With most of my horses, and Sirrus in particular, this is a huge success, and the horses have taken to them straight away.