Bitless Bridles: How to Make and Use Inexpensive Bit-Free Bosals, Chin-Slips, Cross-Jaws, Indian Hackamores, Halters, Neck Loops, Side-Pulls and More

by Lisa Preston

Bitless bridles are gaining popularity in step with the trend toward natural horsemanship and gentler methods of handling animals. Bitless Bridle includes an informative scientific chapter on how the bit may affect the horse and a comparison of various bitless bridles. For anyone who is interested in trying bitless tack without investing a lot of money, this book provides the answers. There are detailed guidelines on the correct material for a bitless bridle as well as the tools and techniques that are involved with creating your own bridle. Preston clearly demonstrates each type of bridle, from the bosal to a halter or neck loop. Easily experiment with several styles of bridles until you find the type that suits you and your horse. Preston shows the reader how to create a variety of reliable, custom fit bitless bridles in the colors and weights that you choose, along with instructions on using them. The book concludes with an informative training section on working your horse bitless. For those who may be considering going bitless with either their older horse that is already trained to the bit, or a young horse just starting training, this section will enable them to make informed decisions on how to go forward.

112 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2013

About the author

Lisa Preston (1964- ) turned to writing after careers as a fire department paramedic and a city police officer. Experience in her earlier professions enhance the medical and legal passages of her fiction and non-fiction.

Her debut novel, Orchids and Stone, was released by Thomas & Mercer in April 2016, and has been described both as a thriller and as domestic noir.

Her published work includes non-fiction books and articles on animals, particularly the care and training of dogs and horses.

Away from her desk, she spends hours on backcountry trails as a runner and rider, sometimes combining her two outdoor pursuits via the obscure sport of Ride and Tie.

She lives with her husband and Malinois on Washington State's vast Olympic Peninsula.