How to start training for bridleless riding?

Hi there. Brilliant! I just love riding bridleless and I'm sure my horses love it too.

The way I start them off is to chunk it all down into easy steps for them, depending on what they need. When I ride without a bridle I like to use a neck ring made of lariat rope. To start them I'll have the bridle on and ride on an increasing long rein and loose contact until I put the reins down and pick up the neck ring instead, that way it's not too sudden a transition for the horse and he's not saying 'help, where are you?'. The neck ring enables me to help the horse move left and right and to help keep him straight.

One or two of my horses have found that too much too soon as well, so sometimes I'll ask a handler to have a long light lead line attached to a headcollar under the bridle. The advantage of this is that the horse has a little extra guidance to rely on in order to fully understand the neck ring signals. This also enables me and the horse to be safe when I take the bridle off as I'm still attached to my handler by the headcollar and lead line. For some horses it is just 'not normal' for them to be ridden and NOT wear a bridle so some can have an anxious reaction to it. By putting in the handler/headcollar step it again enables a gentle transition filled with easy learning for the horse.

In some cases I've then put another step in too where the handler has unclipped the lead line, left the headcollar on and walked nearby. Again this helps the horse remain confident during the transition to bridleless and makes it all easy learning for him.

It goes without saying that I also only do this in a safe enclosed area on a day when conditions are right. I'm passionate about setting my horses up to succeed not fail. :-)

I hope this helps you. Have fun! :-)

Best wishes

Jo