Bit less Bridles, Fads, Dr. Cook, Truth About Pain

[@DanielDauphin]

If you’d like to learn more about bits and bitting, we suggest our new DVD, “More Than a Bit… o’Information”. It’s the most comprehensive and thoroughly vetted information available today. You’ll understand how to communicate better with your horse and understand his side of the reins more fully. We describe things from the basics of English and Western and even go into advanced Dressage and Vaquero stuff. Novice to Pro, there’s lots of good info for you. It will pay for itself the very first time you don’t buy the wrong bit. www.dauphinhorsemanship.com/product/more-than-a-bit-o-information/

[@jilliandanielle8058]

I have been doing a lot of research on this topic and haven't seen any video other than this one that wasn't about how bad bits are. I am SO glad to now see it from both points of view as I found what other videos said about this topic to be a little dramatic lol. Your so great at making videos keep it up!

[@DanielDauphin]

Jillian Renegade I’m glad we were able to offer you a reasonable counter argument. We have quite a few other videos on bits that you may also find useful. We’re also very near to finishing a 4 hr DVD on bits all based on Science and bettered through engineers, DVMs, and Equine Dentists. It is available for pre-sale through our website.

[@TheJbrogs]

First off, thank you for making these videos. Your ability to break down topics to a low level but still maintain the scientific reasoning makes you a great teacher (ie your intro to bits video with the discussion about length of the lever arm). Secondly, Maybe a video about influential books/blogs/etc that helped you with your horsemanship and developing your philosophy.

[@DanielDauphin]

That is a good idea. Thanks!

[@tatonkaowner]

When I got my first horse I was convinced after a while I didn't want to use bits and did some research and I'm hoping to be bittless with my guys ,and yes I thought bits were horrible but then I found d a couple you tubers that explain things so well that I'm not against using them. You sir are one of the you tubers and thers only 2 that have helped me understand bits better . And don't just want to sell a product. Thank you for that. Keep up the good advice.

[@suemcfarlane4199]

Your comments on the racing industry are so correct science can prove anything if you throw enough money at it you could prove barb wire bits are workable if you wanted to many race horses have tounge ties as a regular thing every time they are exercised

[@amberbellis9084]

5:29 “It’s a little more NEKKED” I’m sold!😂

[@sallypenno5584]

Great explanation

[@Motorhead264]

Just found your videos mate and subscribed, I love them. Greetings from Australia.

[@danmoretti4808]

Daniel, are there some activities for a horse that you feel a bit is pretty much a necessity for? Thanks much!

[@mikestone9129]

Well done video.

[@amberboston3154]

War bridles aren't really bitless bridles, they're bridless bits.

[@nikkib.5842]

What about a video about barefoot and shoes? And maybe even discuss horse boots which I'm considering using once I start endurance riding.

[@DanielDauphin]

We have an article on the website on this topic. I'm not sure that I'd have much more to show in a video. The article is here. www.dauphinhorsemanship.com/?s=barefoot You can subscribe and become a Barn Fly with access to all of the videos and articles that are for Barn Flies only, or join as a Guest and you can read this and a few other articles and see a few of the videos.

[@destinationaddictionsamsar7894]

Scott scoot boots are exstreamly well made for rough riding.

[@johnhawks5035]

@@DanielDauphin Link broken.

[@cheyennebeasley9212]

Thanks for all the info. On the bitless bridle. I use a D ring snaffle, my reins I like rope, because I like the feel I get. What I personally don't use is the what is called the natural horsemanship rope reins where the reins are attached to slobber straps and you have the built in lead rope, I don't mind the slobber straps, but the rope is just to much extra for me , all in the way, Plus a lead rope that's attached to the bit I don't care for. Maybe you can talk about slobber straps vs traditional bridles. I Hate gimmicks, simple is best, no tie downs etc. Thanks Daniel for all your videos.

[@DanielDauphin]

I can do a video on that, but I will say here that slobber straps on a mecate is definitely not a new concept. It is actually an ancient one. And for real leading or lunging, you tie the tail of the mecate around the horse's neck in a bowline knot so that it isn't pulling on the bridle at all.

[@laurelausten1626]

Guns don't kill people. People kill people, with guns. Bits don't ruin horses. People ruin horses, with bits. It's all about learning to work with a tool while refraining from abusing its power. Soft hands make for soft horses, even with a bit. I think bitless bridles do have their place and can be used correctly to great benefit, but it's just as abusive to crank on a horse's face with a bitless bridle as it is to do the same with a bit. Great video.

[@s.d.1429]

I just came across your videos and they are great, thank you. I do have a question, or I should say problem with a horse that I purchased a few months back. It is an absolute struggle to get a bridle on him. At first it was about his ears, left primarily. As soon as I get a bridle on him his temperament changes. I ride English in a basic d-ring and headstall has a nose band. Bit and everything are in proper placement. So, I decided to try a basic hackamore bridle with a rope nose band. Same problem, struggle to get on, temperament change, he even starts 'chomping' as if he has a bit in his mouth. Here's the kicker, if I ride with a halter, he is fine. Unless I take him into the arena. If we are on trails he is fine. If we go into an arena, even with a halter he goes into 'chomping' stress mode. If in the arena at a trot he will trot like he's constantly side passing, sometimes stoping and spinning in a backwards circle motion like I'm putting a tone of pressure on him. If out on trail, halter, trot, no problem. Same hands. With all of that, he is a great horse and I don't think he has any intention of hurting me. So with all of that, do you possibly have any advice??? Thinking maybe trying something like your o-ring with basic western bridle.......he is a Medicine Hat paint, blue eyes, white face, pink skin...... extra sensitive, but why the change depending on venue??????? Any how, thank you greatly for any advice.

[@DanielDauphin]

I'm going to start a new video series that is like a Q&A called Pasture Pontifications. I'll make this my first question to address. I think that's a faster and easier way to tackle these fairly complex questions, as I could write a 10,000 word essay on what's going on here. Look for it in the next day or two. Great questions! Thanks!

[@s.d.1429]

@@DanielDauphin awesome, thank you so very much!! I look forward to your video. 😊

[@sarahposey7166]

Lol, thank you for your comments about race horses! a lot of those horses don't have riders that educate them in the morning because they can't they don't know themselves. you know yourself that there are a lot of mild bits that are put on racehorses as well. I've galloped a lot of tough horses that would run off with other people and got them going in rubber bits and they were in control and became well behaved. James bits, run out, slider bars different tongue depressors, including the W bit which is not connected with reins it is only used in place of a tongue tie. When you're going at high speed in a pack of horses you might need a little more whoa or please turn!

[@mayac218]

Personally I start colts in halters first; the horse already knows the feeling of flexing and pressure across the nose. It helps me to get a solid foundation on steering and stopping first, then move up into the bit afterward. It just seems less confusing for the horses to start in something they already understand, instead of bringing in all new equipment.

[@DanielDauphin]

I completely get what you're saying and don't disagree. I had probably 800 head under my belt when I began going straight to the snaffle. The way that I ride them, they get hooked to my energy from the ground, which transfers to riding them. In other words, I don't use the bridle to stop them, only to turn a little bit.

[@mayac218]

Daniel Dauphin Oh I see what you mean now. That's actually really cool that your groundwork tunes the horse into you so well!

[@zentaurianriding4378]

Totally, and to not use the most sensitive part of the horse until they predictably respond to other aids, voice, body-language, pressure on other parts of the head etc. The bit is a very fine, tiny communication with the horse. Thanks for your comment. Wish more thought like that. Save the horse's mouth!

[@busby777]

My first horse was a retired thoroughbred race horse, and he responded well to a hackamore.

[@malariemann9388]

Could you possibly do a video about all your horses please

[@DanielDauphin]

malarie mann we have like 20 of them, but I'll get to working on it. Thanks!

[@leealexander3507]

malarie mann kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2q1l52slNB3Y9k

[@leealexander3507]

malarie mann kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmmxfmaeateeobs

[@joannmay-anthony1076]

I know several ppl who tried dr. cooks bridle and thru them out, wouldn't sell them so no one else would use them.

[@andrewhardy7885]

What about a video on your facilities.

[@DanielDauphin]

You're gonna make me weed eat and paint... Just kidding. We will do one like this in the future, but I really want the drone shot from above to show the layout and all. To be frank though, this facility is nothing special.

[@sarahposey7166]

Where is back there was a young lady that was doing Grand Prix jumping with a war Bridle and her horse was very happy in it, quite novel compared to what so many are putting on for equipment, yes when you have a hot horse and you need a lot of control sometimes it takes a different tack but some of those horses have a whole tack store on their head! I would love to see the dressage world allow horses to go bitless, or not have to be on contact if they are lovely, correct, soft and willing. I may stand corrected in this but I believe that there was an error in translation about accepting the hand and being on constant contact. The more training a horse gets he should be more off of the seat and leg and less use of leverage from the hands. Some horses are naturally balanced, others need lots of training patience and help. Thanks for your great videos on bits.

[@Anastasia2048]

What are your thoughts on Rick Gore?

[@SuperSainsworth]

Show use how to fit a basal and how it really works with types of pressure

[@jenz4524]

My feeling on bits and bitless stuff-it is up to the individual horse on what they go well in and as long as you take the time to train them. My horse in particular goes well bitless and bitted, but his mouth is whacked. I am going to be getting his mouth looked at by an equine dentist because of the problems that he has had with bits.

[@barbarawitt1049]

i considered buying a Dr. Cook once. I was able to borrow one briefly to try it out first, luckily. My mare absolutely hated it because it gave no release. the very weight of the reins caused the cross-under portion to remain taut. this was a very sensitive OTTB who had a lovely second career as a trail horse. for a sensitive horse who is well schooled the Dr Cook rig is useless, in my experience.

[@busby777]

How do you deal with a horse that rears up while being ridden?

[@DanielDauphin]

That can depend a lot on the actual issue at play and how severe it is. For the most part, rearing horses are made and it is a reaction to hands that pull way too much. The most general "Fix" is to teach them to untrack the hindquarters and REALLY habituate that action. He can't rear if his hind feet aren't underneath him. This is also one of the absolute most dangerous behavioral issues because of the potential for a horse to fall over backwards on the rider. For that reason, I generally do NOT advise people to try and fix a horse like this on their own. Professional help is my advice.

[@busby777]

@@DanielDauphin thank you. I already fixed it by trial and error. With help from others, we learned that the previous owners had always put him back in the barn after he reared. Seeing that he wanted to go back into the barn, we put him on a lunge line instead and had him work out. We also quit giving him treats in the barn and only gave him treats when he was out and working well. However, I could have done better if I had known about untracking the hindquarters. I was standing up in the stirrups to lean over his head, and swatting his ears to bring him down. It did work. I wish I had your advice sooner. Thanks again! The next time I ride a horse that rears, I'll know what to do.

[@annbates2665]

I got caught in the “Dr. Cook” fad which seemed to work out just fine until the time I rode with a group. My horse got a little full of herself and I had absolutely no control. Went back to the bit I had always used and was able to easily control her when in a similar situation. Sold the bitless bridle .

[@gailfreese3849]

I'd like to see you do some beginning groundwork with an untrained horse. Many of these videos, not meaning your videos, demonstrate on horses that have already been started. It would be great to see training on a green horse.

[@DanielDauphin]

We'll actually be shooting this exactly next week, but it will be a video for the website subscribers. We have more videos and much more in depth, as well as blogs and articles on our website for our Barn Fly subscribers. It's only $15/month to join. We also have Guest memberships with limited privileges, but at no cost. dauphinhorsemanship.com/

[@Cecilyeg]

Tell us what you really think!! ROFL thank you!

[@citizenjane3648]

im currently breaking in my 3yr arab she is great, no problems so far never blinked first time saddled, i have been training her in just a halter she is very light, i was intending to eventually go to a snaffle but her vet says her mouth is very small there is not much room for a thick bit i would need to use a thin snaffle, so i thought maybe a side pull bitless would work, i can rig up one myself, or should i try a small snaffle???

[@DanielDauphin]

leanne szafran I spend most of my time in a 3/8" snaffle. I can't imagine that there'd be an issue with her carrying one of that size. That being said, there's nothing wrong with staying the course you're on.

[@citizenjane3648]

Thankyou, I will see how she responds.

[@skylersherker3005]

How do you get over being worried about hurting a horse while correcting him while riding? I'm terrified of hurting my horses mouth in general and it's showing in my riding and is making me a more timid rider. Also is it normal for a horse to become jumpy and nervous when in a bit but not so when bitless? He spooks at things he's seen while bitless many times. Not sure what's causing it as he's not in any pain

[@DanielDauphin]

I view "pain" a little differently than most people. First off, animals simply have a different relationship with pain than we do. They simply ARE a lot tougher than we are. If you are correcting him, the whole point is to make him uncomfortable, and that's the way I view it. I don't think of causing pain, because that is subjective. I look at it as causing discomfort. Either it is enough discomfort or too much as the situation calls for. As long as the correction was fair and justified, you ABSOLUTELY SHOULD NOT feel guilty about it. If you aren't giving your horse firm boundaries, even if you started with a nice horse, you'll soon have a hard time convincing others that he still is... As you seem to be learning, when we get timid and stop offering strong leadership to our horses, they backslide, get insecure, and begin challenging our lacking leadership. In short, stop worrying. He's a 1000 lb. animal. Even if you were really trying, barring having some highly severe bit, you are simply not physically capable of causing him anything more than temporary discomfort. Think about it this way, if I had a 3 year old child who suddenly bolted toward ongoing traffic, I wouldn't care that I hurt his arm somewhat when I grabbed him to stop him from being killed. Likewise, veterinarians pretty much make their living by causing horses pain. Nobody questions their intentions though. Needles are necessary. Palpating hurt areas to find out what is going wrong is necessary for the long term health of the horse. So is an attitude adjustment sometimes. ;-) As long as it is fair and justified and serving the greater good, you absolutely should not feel guilty. In fact you must not. Good leaders are not apologetic about being leaders or doing the things that are required to lead and for the greater good. All this being said, of course, I want my horse to be as comfortable as possible as much as possible, and I'm in no way trying to justify or excuse abuse or overly rough riders. I'm simply saying that if you are so worried about causing discomfort, to the point that you are getting so timid your relationship with your horse has faltered,, then it is highly unlikely that you are pushing things far enough to "get the job done" when you are correcting him. Cut yourself some slack and it never hurts to get some personal lessons where a far more experienced horseman can read your horse in real time and let you know when to use more or less pressure to affect the horse as you need. Strong leadership is the BEST GIFT you can give to your horse!

[@lydiahodges8648]

I think which is best depends on the horse my mare when ridden in a bit would through her head constantly and I found myself fighting with her all the time switched to bitless no more head throughing or fighting so bitless is better my gelding is the opposite he fights all rein contact bitless and accepts bit contact like a king so riding him in a bit is best

[@amechelb]

I’ve seen a bunch (I’m doing research hoping to get into horses for the first time finally) of videos with people saying how bits are cruel and cause pain and should never be used and I always had the thought in the back of my head that it didn’t 100% make sense. A lot of their argument is it’s “invasive” and you would never have something like that put in your mouth. But anyone with braces and spreaders or especially head gear knows that’s not true and those are attached to the teeth. There is also tongue piercings which are on the soft tissues and I can say 100% that they are not painful or uncomfortable. I really would think that as long as a bit is fitted properly and someone has soft hands it would be just barely more invasive than a piercing and much more less than braces or the like. Might be a weird comparison. Now I do like the idea of a bit less bridle for some stuff and bridle-less as well. But I don’t know if I could ever see bits as all bad at all times.

[@amechelb]

Could you do a video on how to get into the horse world if you didn’t grow up in it? What to look for in a trainer/mentor, leasing vs. buying a horse to learn on, how to discover what discipline someone might like or not. How you know if your trainer is actually doing a decent job. I’m planning to get into it here in the next year and would love a video about this.

[@DanielDauphin]

That’s a great video idea.

[@kristimegli2373]

I had a mare that apparently could not breath with a bit in her mouth. I used an English Bosal-basically a leather hoop around her nose. I did everything with her in that "bridle". I kept attempting to use a snaffle and she just became difficult to steer. upon study, I figured she didn't know how to breath or swallow with a bit in her mouth. So I continued with the bosal/sidepull type bridle. this comment is to bring forth the issue of a horse that simply doesn't breath or swallow with the metal in its mouth. I was forced to learn to train her "bitless".

[@DanielDauphin]

Kristi Megli that would be caused by dorsal displacement of the soft palate. This is a failure to form a seal with the epiglottis. The tongue is interfering and causing issues.

[@arielapastel8658]

I appreciate this video, but you didn't really cover how the bits affect the horse's mouth, the mechanism of the bit. You basically say there's nothing wrong with bitless unless there's excessive pressure on the nose and overall you've got to have soft hands and a partnership/understanding so there's not constant pulling or constant pressure (a given.) You're just saying you're annoyed when people say "I'm bitless and I'm humane. All bits are bad." I get that. But in the title you say "truth about pain." You didn't cover what pain bits cause and what damage they can cause if a person is pulling on them. And many people believe snaffles are the most humane bit. Can you talk about why even you weren't comfortable using a snaffle until you were skilled enough with your hands?I can understand race horses are an extreme example of bits doing damage. But what about dressage when horses heads are held in position to collect? Shouldn't collection ultimately be held by the horse himself/weight on hind end and head free, horse holding himself in a compact, collected position, (loose rein in collection.) I've seen it in person and it's beautiful to watch. Just wanted to know your explanation on mechanics of a bit and go into that. Thanks so much for the time and effort you put into these videos. I found your site from another friend who is a subscriber. :)

[@DanielDauphin]

Ariela Pastel look at our other videos. There's literally over 3 hours of video answering all of this.

[@arielapastel8658]

Yep. Soon as I commented, I saw the other videos. My bad. Thanks!

[@avisokay]

watch the series on bits he already did. it goes into great detail.

[@denelll.bennettsurvivorwar8224]

Ariela Pastel ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKinaJiMgNV1pLM

[@leealexander3507]

I'm considering a Dr Cooks. My horse hasn't been bitted yet. I've started him in a halter and he handles well but throws his head both under saddle and at liberty. I need to study on it further but am hoping the poll pressure on the Dr Cooks might help me teach him not to do that while being ridden. Don't know if it will work.

[@leealexander3507]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmmxfmaeateeobs

[@DanielDauphin]

tossing of the head is a sign of resistance. It could be seen as the equivalent of the teenager rolling their eyes and saying "whatever". Your horse is essentially telling you that there's more work to be done before he can be trusted fully or considered reliable. Remember that you are having a conversation through those reins, so when undesirable behaviors occur, it is perfectly valid to say, "No!" through those reins. If every time your horse tossed its head, you went back to lateral flexion and took its head away from it and put it to work intensely, it would soon learn that rolling its eyes at you is not going to be tolerated and become more compliant and trustworthy. The particular bridle that is on the horse is irrelevant to this. Poll pressure isn't going to magically do anything. The horse is going to have to be introduced to it, and shown how to properly respond to it, and, finally, habituated to compliance so that the responses can be counted on, just like any other cue in any other bridle.

[@leealexander3507]

Daniel Dauphin Normally that's what I'd make of it but he does it in his turnout also.

[@leealexander3507]

Daniel Dauphin kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2q1l52slNB3Y9k

[@leealexander3507]

Daniel Dauphin Mostly he head tosses joyfully but will also throw a challenge with a toss of his head or even gesture to other horses to come play with him so that head toss can mean any number of things including resistance. Usually resistance takes the form of raising his head and proudly looking down his nose, a very clear "no".

[@sirronmitt]

I really like your videos (and DVD) about bits. Those are best I have seen technically for western ridding. I recommend them all the time. Your normal sense of humor is fun to listen to as well. However, the factual information in this video could have covered in five minutes and I would not have had to set through 3 commercials. I guess Clinton Anderson can show us that being too blunt and to the point can cause negative comments, but if the techniques and science is sound one should not have to put up 15 minutes of disclaimers to worry about offending someone. As a previous scientist and engineer I agree with you about many studies. Scientists begin with an hypothesis and they perform experiments to see if the data proves or disproves the hypothesis. Often times, the conditions are not read by the general public, they just read the abstract and the conclusion. Your point about hands cannot be overemphasized.

[@DanielDauphin]

Clear and concise are not strengths I possess. Lol

[@tasialast5624]

I watched this video to get more opinion but I have done through research and bits have been shown to produce behavioral problems and produce mouth and face injury. I ride English so most of the studies I have read are on dressage and jumping horses.

[@DanielDauphin]

Tasia Last ma’am, you might look up the meaning of the words “inanimate”, and “amoral”. Bits are definitively incapable of CAUSING any such reaction. Their improper usage can cause issues. So will the improper use of any training aid. You can use a brick to build a schoo, church, or hospital. You can also use a brick to bash in someone’s skull. Neither outcome is attributable to the brick.

[@tasialast5624]

@@DanielDauphin I never said using a bit was amoral. I simply responded to the video using the research I have read. Bits cause pain. If they didn’t we wouldn’t use them. They work by applying pain and pressure to certain areas of the mouth to create a desired behavior. I research animal behavior and am currently doing a literature review on how to make riding better for the horse. Every paper out there says that bits cause pain and may be the cause of many conflict behaviors seen under saddle. When I ride horses that aren’t mine I ride in a bit because I have no idea how much ground work that horse has had. I ride my horse in a flower hackamore and improper hackamore usage can cause pain. When it comes to riding bitless it’s more of a question of why put my horse in pain when there are less invasive and less painful options on the market. If you want to be ignorant of the research thats up to you but saying that bits don’t cause pain when that is their purpose is misleading to anyone who hasn’t done research.

[@DanielDauphin]

Tasia Last I’ve been researching this stuff for years too. If “every paper” you’ve read suggests “bits cause pain” you are looking in the wrong places. Btw, I said “amoral” which means without morals. Any bridle is inanimate. Only the animator is capable of applying pressure. Crappy hands cause pain. It doesn’t matter what the particular aid in question is.

[@tasialast5624]

@@DanielDauphin if you believe that than by all means believe that. You aren’t working with my horses so it’s none of my business. But I see bits as what they are a metal rod used to induce pain and pressure. Just like spurs and whips. You can tell a horseman by their ability to work with a horse with the least amount of tack necessary. If someone needs a bit because their horsemanship is lacking than use a bit. But they aren’t necessary. They cause pain. Research shows that they cause pain even in professional hands. They have been attributed to bone spurs in the mouth. Quick question if you aren’t using a bit to apply pain and pressure than what’s their use?

[@DanielDauphin]

Tasia Last there are acres of room between pressure and pain. You make that blanket statement as though it is fact and it most definitely is not. Your own words “used to cause” are exactly my point. It is the poor usage that is the issue. Thus, education of the rider to better use is the cure. Changing the “metal rod” without addressing the poor use does not solve the problem in any way, because the inanimate object never was the problem.

[@denelll.bennettsurvivorwar8224]

Most Humane Bit, in my opinion, *The French Link* !

[@johnhawks5035]

We live in Jalisco, MX. It is pretty common here to see bosals, hackamores, all variety of bits, hanging on headstalls. Nobody telling anybody else how their way is the only way to go. Rodeo and polo are equally popular here and horse people of all stripes, (For the greater part), respect each others skills. Unfortunately horse loving advocates can get a little blinded by their convictions.

[@kristimegli2373]

I had one of these bridles and it was useless.

[@magneticflux7833]

The fact that their mouth is ruined shows the cruelty of the sport and the bit.

[@DanielDauphin]

no, it shows the poor horsemanship and hands of the rider responsible. When someone drives a truck into a tree, it doesn't mean that GMC is responsible, nor cruel. You can take a brick and use it to build a hospital, school, church, etc. You can take that same brick and use it bash in someone's brains. Neither case is the fault of the brick.

[@magneticflux7833]

@@DanielDauphin that fact that a chunk of the horse industry thrives off of these archaic devices is ridiculous. The double bridle of english riders is fucking brutal mate. Those horses don't look like they " like it" you look at the animals eyes and can see the pain. It's starts with people, but I can honestly say I've not seen very many riders with quiet hands and the horse suffers. Jumper gets thrown boom they latch onto the reins and the horse pays for it. Race horses at 30 lbs of pressure and ruining a horse's mouth is wrong. Just because bits are "normalized" doesn't mean that people have brain in thier head to not hurt the animal even if it's unintended. Don't know about anyone else, but I'll never ever support industry's where the standard like dressage, has a double bridle, or worse horse racing on a slop track where a filly breaks her legs and continues to run on shatter bones while getting her face ripped off by the rider and bit and then the fans hears a pop from her legs breaking! Nothing screams cruelty as the horse industry leading people to believe that a fucking steel bar on flesh is good. As long as greedy people continue to make hundreds of thousands of dollars horse abuse won't stop. They only stop soaring tennessee walking horses a few years ago because they finally got it passed by congress. A large bit with " soft hands" is like saying a .22 caliber hurts less than a .40. bro I wouldn't want either. Bits are made to put pressure and release pressure but people can't even drive a car let alone ride an animal with out kicking, pulling, and using intimidation. It's a process not an event. The slow way is the fast way with horses. I've even seen kind loving dog owners who rub thier dogs nose in thier piss because they went in the house, debarked thier dog, leave them on chains and all sorts of shit. Cats get declawed because of mentally ill people who think it's ok to mutilate an animal so thier possessions or thier granny doesn't get hurt. Again the fact that thier mouths get ruined shows the cruelty of a garbage sport like horse any thing at the hands of people who want nothing more to make money. When thousands of dollars are on the line people give two fucks about the animal. Cruelty is cruelty. Weather your declaw your cat or put metal in your horse's mouth it's all the same kinda argument. I'm only here to support the bitless anything, it's better than any bit period. And if Dr Cook is a junk scientist then you would say the same for many other things. But no matter WHAT there is a clear differnce with a horse with out the metal and with it. I might be bat shit crazy but I've seen torture devices they used to use on people in the ren period and let me tell you, bits are in the same ball park, and some are so down right fucked it makes me sick.

[@magneticflux7833]

@@DanielDauphin also I thank you for your time and reply, if anything your at least trying to help the horse, that's more than I can do.

[@DanielDauphin]

@@magneticflux7833 You've obviously got a very emotional perspective here. Yes, there are instances of abuse that occur. Those, however are rare and the fault of the individual abuser, most likely, in my experience, through ignorance. You put that same rider in a bitless anything and their methodology (timing, pressure, etc) will be the same. Therefor, logically, not emotionally, the best actual way to enact more humane treatment is via education of the rider, not demonization of an inanimate object. The people espousing that junk DO NOT know what they are talking about. That fact is unfortunately only obvious to those of us who actually see the whole picture.

[@amberboston3154]

I have no problem with people using bits. I have a problem with those all-to-common, irresponsible and fearful people who use them for control and not a productive response (yes, there is a difference). My OPINION is that my horse copes better when pressure is applied to a broader surface area, like saddle panels. Bits are ok in small doses, it's when people go overboard when major damage is done. Like when a horse goes fine in a snaffle, but eventually horse misbehaves as a symptom of pain or discomfort, usually from the saddle. Resulting in the rider switching to a harsher bit. An uncommon event but it happens.

[@christinepeniaranda8484]

Settle it easily like this. Go to the tribes reknown for their horsemanship. The native Americans. Hackamore.

[@DanielDauphin]

You mean the people that were still in the Stone Age and had no abilities to forge metal? And as I talked about in this video, there was the War Bridle, which was rawhide in the mouth and encompassing the lower jaw. They also rode with bits made of bone and antlers.

[@christinepeniaranda8484]

@@DanielDauphin I put a v port roller bit in my horse's mouths and he stood there gagging. So I haven't used another bit in 14 years.

[@DanielDauphin]

@@christinepeniaranda8484 I’d suggest you might have misread your horse, or put him in a situation he wasn’t prepared to handle. One time doesn’t make a pattern and deriving strong opinions or feelings from admitted inexperience is maybe not the strongest platform. You should watch all 5 or 6 of the Bit videos we have on here. You’d certainly be in a more educated place to make decisions from.

[@PurpleEquine1992]

Can you look into raleighlink14 She's heavily against bits and deems anyone who uses bits as an abuser... 😂

[@DanielDauphin]

I'm aware of her. As far as I know, she's a teenager who has experience with 2-3 horses and does dramatic rants. It's no surprise that she's gullible and lacks critical thinking and decision making skills. She's just a kid. I've no desire to bring that drama into my life. She and her audience ensure that I'll have customers badly in need of good information in 20 years. lol

[@PurpleEquine1992]

Daniel Dauphin thank you 😂 i can't stand the girl. Your videos are full of the right info. :) Adding on - I much prefer how you break down your videos to explain your views and how it's about whats best and works best for the horse. Rather than just the "in" thing at the time. I have subscribed as i'd love to see more informational videos on stuff like this. As i have two young horses myself which i will most likely be backing myself. So it's interesting for me to learn different opinions and stuff on training methods and how things are done :) I especially liked the video with the horse skull and how you explained how a simple snaffle could and should fit in the horse's mouth and demonstrating how a tightly fitting one would look/feel. These are the sort of informational videos people need. Thank you :D

[@PurplePoppyAnimator]

Someone with some sense, God bless you my friend. Equestrian women have to be among the most toxic people I've ever come across in my life. On behalf of actually reasonable equestrian women everywhere, thank you for discussing this topic maturely and with actual thought.

[@labrakadabra9026]

Just saying Raleigh has trained and worked with way more than 3 horses.

[@labrakadabra9026]

You all just can’t stand the fact that if Raleigh encouraged more people to change to bitless. There have been way more horses brought in with problems from bits than bitless. I’ve never heard of a horse actually coming in with a broken nose from a bitless bridle but I’ve seen all over poor horses that were brought in with cuts in their mouth and can also cause jaw spurs. And teeth problems. There are way more nerve endings in the mouth than the outer of the skin.

[@bettyrose5755]

We really like your videos but they are too long. If you could get to the point faster and edit out all the other.

[@denelll.bennettsurvivorwar8224]

Rode my Shetland pony from 4 years old to 22 years old.

[@carlmeany8072]

I take issue with your use of the term "junk science". It's just junk, there is no real science involved. By the way, it is my hope that you are indeed wearing pants.

[@keithtaylor6069]

I agree,. I ride in a rope haulter

[@tonytorres4239]

Well, put a piece of metal in someone's mouth pull left, right, back for 30 minutes then ask them if that bothers him or her. Or ask them for how many days their teeth and tongue hurt after the pulling. Nobody wants to spend the time that it takes. They just want to turn the key on and go, then just get a car. There is no science needed it got to hurt, it's common sense, period.

[@DanielDauphin]

Some of us are completely good with taking the time it takes. Judging by the thousands of questions I’ve personally answered and several hundred thousand views of my videos, lots more are trying to learn the best ways to improve their horsemanship and get along with a happy horse. It’s intellectually dishonest to make judgments about something based upon its misuse. Maybe that should be something to consider, but you seem well beyond being open minded and thoughtful on this subject. Carry on with the tantrum, condescension, and accusations.

[@keithtaylor6069]

I don't like horse racing!! It's cruel.

[@johnhawks5035]

Lots of negativity, not much that was helpful to me. I ride a simple bitless rig and my mare seems to like it quite well. I am not a pro, I am just some guy who rides for pleasure. Consider taking a more positive point of view that can actually help less experienced folks and perhaps your youtoob numbers will go up.

[@keithtaylor6069]

So sad, racing horse. To young, I degrees