"No Hype - Just
Horse sense"
The Light Rider Bitless Bridle
'A lighter connection with your horse'
CLEAR COMMUNICATION
With the reins attached in a similar position to a bit, the Light Rider Bridle delivers a much clearer, more direct message to the nose.
Some horses get confused or resist ‘whole head’ pressure so they respond well to the simple but effective chinstrap of this unique bitless bridle.
It works by the slack providing release from pressure as it slides through each noseband ring.“I just love it! It has a snug fit for direct and clear communication, it doesn't close down on the horse when you are having a conversation about what you would like them to do.” Jenny Pearce (International Author and Clinician).
CONTROL AND LIGHTNESS
The unique chinstrap of the Light Rider Bridle offers effective control by tightening (to a point) when pressure is applied. When the rein is relaxed, it releases to reward the horse.
Horses find it much easier to learn and become lighter when they receive release from pressure."We went out last night for a hack in the Light Rider. Light being the optimum word - very light cues to go any which way. Thank you for your super help, information and understanding of horses and your great bridle design. I know we will have many many hours of riding in comfort, style and with a very happy and contented horse in your bridle." Jo in the UK.
COMFORT FOR A CALM HORSE
“When I stop he actually gives with his head instead of bracing against me which was really nice. MY GOD what a difference – thank you Cynthia I have my horse back!!!!!” Kylie Hutcheon. Endurance Rider - Tasmania. (photo above).EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY
The English, Stockhorse and Western styles are made from a matte Biothane. This vinyl coated polyester webbing was developed as an alternative to leather.
It has a soft leather-like feel but is much stronger and easier to care for (wipe with a damp cloth). It doesn’t fade, crack or absorb sweat.
The Natural and Performer styles are made from high quality marine braid nylon rope, as are the reins.
The padding on the noseband is a soft, anti-gall material, the same as that used for girths. The Stockhorse style has padding over the headpiece too.
All bridles come with either top quality solid brass or stainless steel hardware that is strong, durable and rust proof.“It is a very beautiful thing to look at! The materials and workmanship are of a really lovely quality.” Jo Atkins, Tasmania.
MULTIPURPOSE – MORE FUN
the lead ring or loop.
LOOKS LIKE A REGULAR BRIDLE
With the noseband positioned closer to where a cavesson sits, the Light Rider Bridle enhances the look of your horse.
You can use the English, Stockhorse and Western styles knowing you will blend in with bitted horses. However, your horse will be happier and more relaxed without the discomfort caused by a bit.
A STYLE FOR YOUR SPORT
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Light Rider English for shows, pony club, jumping, dressage, hunters and adult riding clubs. (photo at top of page)
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Light Rider Stockhorse for endurance, working, camp-drafting, sporting, starting young horses and trail riding (photo at right)
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Light rider Western for trail, shows, pleasure, reining, cutting and western breeds. (photo below)
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Light Rider Natural & Performer for training, trail riding, endurance, horsemanship, ponies and pleasure.
(photos below)
Styles, Sizes & Colours
~ Light Rider English~ Light Rider Stockhorse~ Light Rider Western (Photo right - with plaited horsehair browband for $179).
Sizes:
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Cob (fits 13hh/132cm to 14.3hh/152cm).
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Full (fits 15hh/152cm to 16.2hh/173cm).
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Warmblood (fits solid 16.3hh/164cm to 18hh/183cm).
Colours: Matte black or chestnut brown.
Bridle only $159 or $195 with matching rope reins.
Xmas Special on Chestnut Brown Stockhorse and English styles - $149 or $180 with reins (save up to $15). Click here to buy now.
Light Rider Natural (photo left)
Only $89 incl. postage in Australia.
Light Rider Performer (with antigall padded noseband) - $99 + postage
(pictured below)
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Sizes: Mini, Small (pony), Medium (cob), Large (full) and Extra Large (warmblood/draught)
Colours: Black, Blue or Purple headstall with black browband, noseband and reins.
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HOW TO MEASURE FOR SIZING:
If you think your horse may be in between sizes or are just not sure, please email the following measurements:
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Around the nose where the noseband sits (3 fingers below the cheekbones - see photos)
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From one side of the noseband, up over the poll, to the other side of the noseband.
Risk Free Guarantee
If you or your horse are not completely happy you can return your Light Rider Bridle (in ‘as new’ condition) within 30 days of receipt for a full refund (less postage).
12 month guarantee on workmanship and materials.
"I purchased a light rider bridle from you last week. I have to say the response was so fast. Thanks brilliant service.
I have ridden in it now a few times and have found it to be excellent. My horse, Rivers, has responded well to it is able to understand things a lot better than the older style bridle I was using which was a side pull with a bosal type noseband. The “Light Rider Bridle’ firstly looks so much better and is so much softer on his face. My instructor and a friend also used the bridle and were extremely impressed with it.
I love the look of the bridle and the feel of it. It fitted Rivers fine and has been the only bridle I have found to fit him properly. All the other traditional style bridles (prior to me going bitless) were either too big or too small. They were not as adjustable as yours is.
Thanks so much for your follow up and information prior to delivery and after. I found the ‘how to fit instructions’ fanstastic. Thanks again Cynthia - hopefully you will have a lot more happy customers as I have been!"
Kind Regards and thanks from Alison Fyfe and Rivers
Why a Light Rider Bitless Bridle
is better for your horse.Whether you already ride in bitless headgear or still use a regular bridle and bit, there are more options to choose from when it comes to practical, comfortable headgear for your horse.
The Light Rider Bitless Bridle designed by Cynthia Cooper (successful competitor in many different equestrian events) is proving to also meet the pleasure rider’s needs, most importantly the ability to safely control the horse without a bit in its mouth.
Secure on the head, so offers more control than a halter.
The unique design of the chinstrap keeps the noseband from twisting and sliding when the reins are used.
This in turn puts more direct pressure on the nose and causes the horse to listen to a lighter feel on the reins.The soft webbing chinstrap releases when rein pressure is relaxed, providing an instant reward for the horse.
It is much safer than a halter because the communication is more direct to either side of the horse’s head (and therefore easily understood), and the reins cannot become stuck on the neck if the horse tucks its head in to avoid pressure.
Lighter so more comfortable for the horse.
The lightweight materials used and light rope reins make the overall weight of the LR bridle around 500 grams (depending on the size).
The padded noseband relieves the pressure and doesn’t mark the nose like a rope halter will.Allows easy eating and drinking.
Because the chinstrap is loose until the reins are used, the horse can fully open its jaw to eat and drink. Of course with no bit, your horse will find it easier to drink – no sucking in air with the water, and easier to chew grass when you have a break or go on those long rides.
Allows easier breathing than with a bit.
A bit obstructs the horse’s breathing, especially when the reins are held firmly, as the tongue is forced towards the back of the mouth. Combine that with some vertical flexion when a horse is held in, and you decrease the size of the airway in the throat by as much as 50%. (Ref. ‘Metal in the Mouth – the abusive effects bitted bridles’ by Dr Cook & Dr Strasser.)Doesn’t cause pain or damages the horse’s mouth.
When you take away the bit, you immediately take away a lot of pain from pressure applied to the reins.A bit acts directly on the bars of the mouth which are only covered by a thin layer of skin and tissue – a bit like your shin bone.
When a horse experiences pain, it’s instinctive reaction is to fight and become harder to control. Also, the bars are damaged and eventually bone spurs form from bit pressure.
The horse also reacts to pain by throwing its head up, tossing its head repeatedly or opening its mouth.
This then causes the rider to need a martingale or tight noseband to keep control and makes life very uncomfortable for the horse.
A Light Rider bitless bridle, even in heavy hands, will not cause pain unless it is fitted extremely low on the nose where it can obstruct breathing.
It won’t rub the horse, even if you have constant contact for longer periods, as the chinstrap keeps everything from slipping and the padded noseband protects the hard bone of the nose.The reins unclip to make a long rope for leading.
When you have to get off your horse out on the trail it takes a few seconds to unclip the reins from the chinstrap and one end onto the halter loop/ring. You then have up to a 3m length of rein for leading or tailing your horse up hills, or tackling those challenging obstacles from the ground.
No need to change head gear.
From the time you catch your horse to the time you release him/her back in the paddock, there’s no need to change from halter to bridle and back again. Please note the rein clips are not designed for tying a horse – but a regular rope can easily be clipped on for this.Easy to clean and dry.
The Light Rider Natural Rope bridle is easily washed in water, and a little scrub with a brush gets out all the sweat and dirt. Or you can throw it in a net bag in the washing machine to get it looking like new again.
Hang it up to drip dry and its ready to go again the next morning.
The Light Rider Biothane bridle range wipes clean quickly with a damp cloth.
More Feedback on the Light Rider Bitless Bridle"I had tried a bunch of bitless bridles but wasn't happy with any of them and kept going back to my plain old halter hackamore. The biggest reason was the lack of release or very slow release.
Cynthia's new Light Rider, I just love it! It has a snug fit for direct and clear communication, it doesn't close down on the horse when you are having a conversation about what you would like them to do, and yet it has the "pull through" if you were in a situation where you needed to rely on the rein to pull your horse around into a bend.
Hopefully never, but it could give you confidence to have that ability. Woo hooo!! She's done it!!! Jenny Pearce
Author of "Bobby's Diaries - Straight From the Horse's Mouth to You" and "A Zen Connection with Your Horse".
"I have ridden bitless for a couple of years now with a crossover bridle and then progressed to a simple rope hackamore. So my mare is quite used to being without a bit, especially for hacking. The crossover does not have the release my mare needs being sensitive, and so the responses to my cues are often delayed and therefore my cues have to shout louder over the noise levels to get her attention. And all I can say is thank you for designing such a wonderful piece of equipment. It is so simple, yet so effective. " Jo UK.
"I was very pleased to come accross your design and since receiving it my off-the- track thouroughbred has been a dream to ride.
I was given this horse literally straight from the track...one day racing...next day mine.
I have spent the last 2 months retraining him and the biggest and the most rewarding changes came about when we started using your bridle. No more jig jogging, no more frantic sweating prior to a ride, he's now relaxed, cool calm and collected.
No more head shaking and a willingness to flex in any direction with hardly any pressure. People often ask me why I went for the bitless bridle and Iam passionate about telling them my experiences and about all the reasons why we should treat our horses with respect and dignity and not as a slave to our leisure...at an often painfull cost.To this end I have converted many to bitless bridles...in one of the toughest horse riding towns.....including a friend of mine who is a rodeo pick up rider and rides his horses hard and fast.
Initially he thought I was kidding when I guaranteed him one particular horse would respond better to no bit than with a bit. This horse has the most unbelievable sensitvity to pressure I have ever seen.....and within 10 minutes of riding bitless his owner was won over and has since ordered a number of bridles to start taining his other horses of various disciplines including cutting and reining, roping, pickup and also barrel racing.So after all that I would like to say thank you for designing such a simple and versatile bridle that I will continue to use as long as I have horses... and expect a few more orders from me in the future and also from those I have influenced up here in the top end. Thanks, Bec." Darwin. NT.
“I am impressed with the bridles. I have to admit that when I first heard of them I thought they were just another version of the “bigger bit” theory, however I now think that they are a very good alternative to a natural hackamore.
I have had good feedback from the whole family, husband, 12 & 14yo boys as to how they like them.
My personal opinion is that they are very good for novice riders and for using on green horses.
This is because I have noticed that with natural hackamores novice riders can tend to twist the horses head when asking for lateral flexion. The light rider bridle seems to deliver a much clearer and more direct message when using it to convey lateral messages to your horse. It is also ideally suited to endurance riders as it can still give you a lead rope if you need it.
All round the horses and humans all appreciated their new bridles. Thanks," Tara N. Tasmania.
“The Bitless Bridle was terrific. At the endurance ride, Angel got toey quite a few times once we were back out on the roads, but with pressure and release of the reins she was under control. I was particularly proud of her when we came across other riders out on the track as she stayed within my hands and never once ran off like she used to. I was in control the whole ride. I LOVE THE BRIDLE” Tammy M. Tasmania. (pictured left)
"Cynthia, I just wanted to touch base with you about the Light Rider Bridle. I completed the 40km ride at Woodstock successfully. I was very pleased with the bridle as I had heaps of control, and she listened. Overall I was really pleased with it and will definitely be ordering another one soon so I have a spare." Danielle - Tasmania."Thanks soooooo much for the bridle- Brady responds wonderfully with it (he is a 20 year old thoroughbred that thinks he is 2 sometimes)! Much lighter than the rope halter. I wish everyone would use them for the horses!" Angie H. South Australia
"Kate was in one of her 'do everything at 100 miles an hour moods'- pulling, rushing and wanting to get home and as you can see she is a big strong girl. Well the bridle didn't miss a beat, I had total control and felt 100% safe. Thank you so much for letting me try it out, I am really impressed with it." Julie S. (Kate and Julie pictured below). Victoria.
"Thankyou so much for the bitless, it works a treat. My little mare is loving it. She hated the bit in her mouth and was always a devil to get the bridle on. She has stopped throwing her head and pulling down on me. It's fantastic. What a great product! Even though I have only used it a few times, she is so much better and I feel a lot safer knowing that I have her full concentration. She and I are very happy. Thankyou. Feel free to put this email on your feedback listings for the product. WOW!" Krystlelee T. NSW.
"My partner who had always done his riding/mustering with a bridle and bit was quite sceptical and even concerned to ride our (well behaved) thoroughbred without a bit. He noticed no difference at all between the Light Rider and the bridle-with-bit, from his own point of view, in terms of control during a 2 1/2 hour ride: the horse was settled and responsive to him. I give it full marks, and we both feel confident with it." Toni A. Tasmania.
“Am finding it an absolutely AWESOME bridle and can’t thank you enough for the fun we are having.” Karen M. South Africa.
Bitless Bridles - What's the Difference?
Bitless
Riding Tips
How to Transition to a Bitless Bridle
Riding
Bitless 'On the Bridle'
Why the Light Rider Bitless Bridle is Better For Endurance
Tradition
and Status Quo or Science and Advance?
Here are some more Bitless Riding websites:
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Featured ProductThe Light Rider Bitless Bridle is the best thing for your horse - gives you control, and your horse freedom...to eat and drink and be led or ground schooled without removing the bridle.
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Disclaimer: The information contained within this website is soley the expressed views and opinions of the author, unless otherwise stated, and the author accepts no responsability for the way this information is used by viewers. The information is provided to help PREVENT problems, not to replace veterinary advice.
Contact:
Cynthia
Cooper -
Natural Horse World
46 Wattle Lea Lane, Golden Valley. Tasmania, 7304. Australia.
Ph.
0419 372279
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