06/19/2025
Thereās a growing fad in the horse world right now that I think we need to take a serious and honest look at. Iām talking about the trend of going completely bitlessānot just as an occasional option or for a specific situation, but as a blanket philosophy that a bit should never be used on a horse. Itās being promoted as a more humane, kinder, gentler approach to horsemanship.
Now, I want to start by saying this: Iām not against riding bitless in the right context. Iāve done it myself. A good horseman should be able to ride a horse in a halter, a bridle, a piece of baling twineāor nothing at allāif the foundation is there. The bit itself isnāt what makes a horse soft, responsive, or correct in their movement. That comes from training, timing, and feel.
But hereās the problem:
Going bitless exclusivelyāas a philosophy rather than a toolācan lead to a number of problems, and Iāve seen them firsthand. The bit is not an instrument of cruelty unless it's used cruelly. Just like spurs, ropes, or even our own hands, itās not the toolāitās the hand behind it that matters.
When we take the bit completely off the table, weāre giving up one of the most effective and fair ways to communicate with the horse. We lose precision in lateral flexion, collection, and vertical softness. And more importantly, we often lose the ability to help the horse use their body correctly.
And thatās where real issues start to surface.
---
š§ What Many Donāt Realize...
Many riders who go bitless because it āfeels nicerā donāt actually realize what theyāre giving up in terms of biomechanics. They donāt know what they donāt know.
Theyāre not seeing the subtle changes in posture. The dropped back. The strung-out hindquarters. The braced jaw. The hollow frame. The lack of engagement. The imbalance. The unsoundness that creeps in over time.
These arenāt just little cosmetic issuesāthis is the kind of stuff that leads to sore backs, hock and stifle problems, uneven hoof wear, and even long-term lameness. But because the horse is quiet or obedientāor just not outright saying ānoāāthey think everything is fine.
Iāve had horses come in for training or rehab that have been ridden exclusively bitless, and the moment I pick them up with even a soft feel on a snaffle, theyāre lost. Not because theyāre being mistreated, but because they simply donāt have the body education to understand whatās being asked. Theyāve never been helped to move correctly. And you know what? Thatās not the horseās fault.
---
š“ The Horse Deserves More Than Our Good Intentions
The truth is, thereās a big difference between doing what feels good to us as ridersā¦ and doing what is actually good for the horse.
We all want to feel like weāre doing right by our horses. Thatās noble. Thatās the kind of heart I respect. But good intentions alone donāt build a sound, confident, correct horse. Knowledge, experience, and proper education do.
There is nothing inherently cruel about using a bit. In fact, when used with skill and timing, a bit can allow us to communicate with greater subtlety and support the horse in achieving true balance and lightness. I would even argue that, when used properly, a bit is often the kindest optionābecause it allows for clearer, lighter, more effective communication.
---
ā ļø Be Cautious of Absolutes
The horse world has always been full of trends and movements. And any time we start hearing āalwaysā and āneverā attached to tools like bits or spurs, we need to pause and think critically. Absolutes usually point to ideology, not horsemanship.
Iāve ridden horses bitless. Iāve also ridden with snaffles, hackamores, correction bits, and more. Each one is a tool, and each one has a time and place depending on the horseās level, physical condition, goals, and mental state.
If your horse is truly soft, collected, and balanced in a bitless headstallāgreat. But if the only reason youāre avoiding a bit is because someone told you itās āmean,ā you may be doing your horse a long-term disservice without even knowing it.
---
š What Should We Be Asking?
Instead of asking, āWhat kind of gear makes me feel better about myself?ā ā¦ maybe we should be asking:
āIs my horse moving in a way that promotes soundness and longevity?ā
āDoes my horse understand how to carry themselves in balance?ā
āCan I ride my horse in a bit and have them respond calmly and willingly?ā
āAm I avoiding the bit because I lack the knowledge to use it properly?ā
If we answer those questions honestly, weāll be doing far more for our horseās well-being than we ever could by following trends or trying to āout-kindā one another online.
---
š¬ Letās Keep the Conversation Respectful
I know posts like this can ruffle some feathers. Thatās not my goal. Iām not here to shame anyone or say thereās only one ārightā way to ride. What I am here to do is to encourage people to think a little deeper, look a little harder at their horseās movement and well-being, and not get swept up in feel-good fads without understanding the long-term consequences.
The horse deserves better than that.
If youāve been curious about this topic or even struggling with it, Iām happy to have a respectful conversation. Drop a comment or send a message. The doorās always open.
Letās keep learning, keep improving, andāmost importantlyākeep putting the horse first.
ā Tim Anderson Horse Training
