EP007: To Bit Or Not To Bit

The topic of bitless dressage is one of THE biggest hot-button subjects.When I wrote a blog on this it broke my server because so many people were sharing and reading it.Many people believe you can’t do ‘real’ dressage without a bit. Other people say bits are cruel.My goal is to present experience-based thoughts on the pros and cons of each, and to answer the common arguments from both sides.In order to figure out you can do ‘real dressage’ when bitless I’m also going to talk about what ‘real dressage really is.I have been riding, training and teaching dressage with and without bits for decades and so am uniquely qualified to address this subject.In the next episode I will give examples of specific horses of mine and how I make decisions regarding use of bits (or not).About the Host:Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual programs.Karen is well known for training horses with a priority on partnership, a student-empowering approach to teaching, and a positive and balanced point of view. She believes in getting to the heart of our mental, emotional, and physical partnership with our horses by bringing together the best of the worlds of dressage and partnership-based training. Karen’s passion for teaching extends beyond horse training. Her For The Love Of The Horse: Transform Your Business Seminar and Mastermind/Mentorship programs are a result of her commitment to helping heart-centered equine professionals thrive so that horses may have a happier life in this industry.For the blog on this subject with photos go here: https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/69-to-bit-or-not-to-bitStart learning with Karen’s book/DVD: https://shop.dressagenaturally.net/collections/home-page-featured/products/book-dvdTo see Karen’s bitless bridle: https://shop.dressagenaturally.net/collections/home-page-featured/products/riding-halter-bitless-bridleSign up for 3 free videos and Karen’s mailing list: https://dressagenaturally.net/free-dressage-training-videos/Get access to hundreds of Karen’s training videos: https://dnc.dressagenaturally.net/Join the conversation in our Dressage Naturally Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DressageNaturallyLandThanks for listening - Please Share!If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.Subscribe to the podcastRemember to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device.Leave us an iTunes reviewRatings and reviews from our listeners are greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on iTunes, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on iTunes.