Don't want to get into a big brew over this,but,when Linda Parelli or Pat either one ride their horses bridleless,they are in an arena in a controlled environment.Also,this is what they do for a living,so,therefore,they had oodles and scads of time to devote to training a horse for this type of thing.That's really all I had to say about it.Their horses are considered above their Level III that they teach,and so are any bridleless riders that work with them.They are on the instructor level when they are working with the Parelli team and are riding bridleless.

Having said that,it CAN be done.I just don't have the time to do it myself.

As amazing as Stacy's ride was, I recently viewed another video on youtube where a man rode Andalusions 2-4 abreast, on a beach and in an arena jumping, bridleless. Think his name was Martin. Has anyone else seen it? WOW!

Bridleless would be neat, but I would never want to give up the control of a bit.  Those bitless bridles are dangerous too.  People think that they can just slap one of those things on ole' biscuit and he'll ride like a champ.  Then ole buiscit takes off and someone gets hurt. Some horses may do okay, but I've heard of some very bad accidents involving bitless...I could only imagine with bridleless..eek!

  Bridleless has it's place...but it's not for the average joe.  I'm not much on parelli.  I'm a Clinton Anderson type of person.  I think safety for both horse and rider is FIRST and showing off is secondary.  I really think people could get hurt doing some parelli stuff.  Please don't get offended if you love Parelli stuff, but it's just not practical in my opinion.  I like Clinton's straight to the point methods.  Just my 2 cents...though I think I've seen Clinton ride Mindy bridleless before, and if I had a horse that well broke I'd show off with it too!

Amanda

Well, I, too am more on the Clinton A type of approach generally.  If I want to ride in a round pen or arena by myself and play bridleless, fine.  Been there done that.  In any group situation or open area ( that could eventually involve other people, traffic, children, fences etc) I for one don't feel that I have the right to potentially put others at risk.  A demo such as Stacey's is lovely, and safe for others, alone in an arena.

 If they have a heartbeat, it is possible for things to go awry, and... in any potentially public setting.... I prefer to at least have the tools to try to regain the situation rather than have nothing.

For many people the temptation to "show off" might override their recognition of their responsibilities to others........

For many people the temptation to "show off" might override their recognition of their responsibilities to others........

That is SO true.  I rode at a barn with a Parelli trainer once (and no, I am not picking on Parelli but that is what he did).  I would be schooling a horse and he would be in there "training"..which to him meant to take the bridle off, put a strap 'round the horse's neck, and gallop down the arena towards me.  He would get a few lengths away and pull the horse to a sliding stop.  Just plain stupid.  I finally told him that while his horse might have stopped every time he'd done it so far, that didn't mean he was gonna stop the next time, and if he did it to me again I was gonna take his carrot stick and shove it...well, you get the picture...

notfromtexas

thanks for the mental picture of the "carrot stick"   I am still chuckling.

If you know the Parelli program and how it works Level I is ground work.I think Level II may graduate up to saddle time,I'm not sure.Maybe not,maybe it is only starting Level III.I have both Level I and Level II programs,but have only made it through Level I on one or two of my horses.It takes time to do it.

I have been to two of their seminars and I do like them,also,I've seen John Lyons in person,and I like him,too.Clint Anderson,I saw early on in his career.I still like John Lyons and respect him greatly as a trainer.Oh,I saw Monty Roberts when his hey-day was early,too.I didn't get a whole lot out of it as it was a big crowd and only there for a short time.But the "join-up" principal is universal among the trainers,I believe,and,if you'll notice,when you do beginning round pen work,it happens almost every time with a horse.

The thing about Pat and Linda Parelli that I've seen that I strongly disagree with is: when they jump their horses over picnic tables without bridles or headgear.I think it is dangerous behavior,and I will always think this way about it.It is more "stunt" riding,to me,than actual useful training for amatuer horse owners.

I remember watching one segment with parelli's.  They were doing something by having a little piece of twine attached to the halter as a fuse between the lead and halter.  I think they were trying to see how soft your horse could be without breaking that twine.  All I saw was a mule who learned that if he jerked his head he could be free and run the arena.  I think some of their ideas are flawed.  I agree with the picnic table stuff.  The average joe sees a horse jumping a picnic table.  They take the ole picnic table from the patio and put it in a roundpen.  They then proceed to run ole' butterpat until he attempts to jump the table.... You can only imagine what would happen to the table and horse.... I think they should show people how to be safe and responsible and show how to improve your horse instead of making him leap picnic tables. While it looks cool, that's not going to help me much in real life.

I think they do this at the end of their seminars,and it is most likely done as a spectator wow-er than as part of their actual seminar material.However,you're right in that there could be some that would think,"Gee,if I get all the way through this or that level,I ought to be able to do THIS OR THAT too."  I wouldn't jump over a picnic table if I were a world class jumper competitor myself,but,that's just me.

The point is: I've never heard them say to a crowd,"This is for show only,folks,we are advanced trainers,and this should not be tried at home.We recommend riding helments in any sport involving jumping also."

I've seen the problem is not with the training methods of any well known trainer, but some of the people that follow them. Every Spring it never fails that there is a so called "trainer" that brings a Palomino gelding to a horse camp I frequent regularly. This trainer rides his horse through camp bridlesless and lets him graze without any restraints. This is just plain stupid!! There are little kids riding and very green trail riders. It just takes once for the horse to bolt and hurt someone.

I told the camp owner, if it is rule that my dog has to be restrained and under my control at all times, then so should the horse. Well see what happens this year.

A good rule to follow, the leash law!!

Seriously, to be responsible for yourself is, well, your funeral, but at least not anyone other than yourself!

To put others at risk, when the very nature of equine liability laws is based upon no one being able to guarantee the obedience of animals at all times, is to be arrogant, ignorant and not impressive in the least.

Public facilities are beginning to protect themselves by posting that equines are not to be unrestrained in the company of others, either in hand or under saddle. One can just see some of the TV lawyers making hay with this. 

Not that the technique has no place, but that there is an appropriate place for everything.

I agree with everything said above re: safety and crazy stunts, but still feel the need to add my 2 cents.  Most every clinician has something good to teach, but whether is appiles to your own personal life with horses or not is your decision.  Take the parts that apply to you and use them, and politely set the others aside.  I never intend to jump my horse brideless over a picnic table, but that doesn't mean that some of the basic steps required to take a horse that far in his training would not be relevant to me.  Think of high school algebra, or the trumpet you played in band class -- are you ever going to use that again? Not likely, but it was part of training your brain, and therefore had a purpose.  Sure, Pat and Linda glam their show up, and it's somewhat overkill, but I think this is their attempt to get us to think outside the box. Let's face it, grown-ups have very little imagination! We need all the help we can get in that department, and sometimes thinking outside the box is exactly what has to be done.  Go out and have FUN with your horse! 

That said, I seldom use the techniques I learned in their course years ago, but they were EXTREMELY helpful for me when I was starting out with horses.  They helped me to learn all the things that people who have grown up with horses already knew instinctively, and that's invaluable.  I don't agree with the showboating, but who am I to say they shouldn't have fun with what they are doing?

So, to venture back to the original question of how to teach a horse to ride brideless, my plan for one of my horses is really fairly simple: bridle up, use a closed loop rein and drop it on the horses neck.  If you use a simple mane elastic, you can close a loose loop of mane over the rein so it never slides out of your reach, but so you can easily grab it and pop the elastic if need be.  In a controlled environment, start working on your leg aids.  Use the reins only when necessary, or in emergency.  This is also great for just plain improving leg yields, because youquit relying on your reins to steer.  To this you can also add a simple neck loop, and use it before you grab for your reins, adding an extra level of comprehension for your horse.  Lately it's been so cold out I haven't even bothered with the bridle, but have gone straight for the rope halter and lead.  We're having some pretty good successes, but I must stress that this is probably not a good idea for an excitable horse.  I'm riding one who's dead calm and has been hauled EVERYWHERE, and thinks he's indestructible.  I've owned him since he was a weanling, and he's now 5, and I've NEVER seen him spooked. I wouldn't be trying this with my barrel prospect, I'm just not that brave (or maybe not that foolish?)

When I first got into horses, I went to a Parelli clinic not too far from here;  some older horsepeople told me exactly what TPenning said:  Take what you find useful from the clinic and forget the rest.  Valuable advice that I have taken to heart.  I have a small problem with trainers/showmen who are selling stuff.

Anyway, back to the question:  I had an older horse, approx 20 when I got him, I rode him, drove him to a cart and to a buggy.  Learned to ride bareback on him with a bridle.  Then I got adventurous:  started riding him bareback with bridle;  rode around in the barn, then would stop hom, lean over and pull off his bridle; then ride around a little more using legs and hands on mane to guide him.  Only did this in the contained area and never when others were riding in there.  Showing off?  You betcha.  Oh, did I mention I was in my late forties when I did this.  This horse passed away of natural causes when he was 30 plus, and I was able to be with him when he passed. 

Have not tried this trick with another horse;  it was something special with him.

I so agree!!!  I love watching the Parelli's and really think they have a lot to offer.  But do question their desire to show off in an unsafe way.  Sorry to get off topic!  I have been playing with Level-1, more so for the basic concepts.  Went to a Level-1 clinic recently.  It was a great clinic until the riding part.  I had my un-started gelding so I didn't participate, thank goodness.  I still scratch my head on the 'safe' concept.  Maybe I'm not understanding something but, I question how it is safe to put a group of riders & horses in an arena with just halters & leads after just 1/2 day of practicing the level, and have them mounted all together.  You guessed it... horse spooks, takes off, rider freaks, & takes a bad fall (luckily she is fine).  Her horse almost took out another rider/horse then came over to my two horses (my mom was w/ my mare), my mom looses my mare and ropes start wrapping around legs.  Not a good thing!  Thank God all turned out just fine in the long run.

On topic...  Don't think I would ride bridleless... too much in life to think about... not worth the chance, personally.  But it is wonderful to watch!

I've got some pretty good safe horses,but I"m not taking them to a clinic with strange horses and getting on with just a halter/lead rope after about 1/2 day in the arena.

I like Pat's concepts and have Levels I and II ( doesn't sound like it from my thread on my filly,but,I do have the stuff) and I also have John Lyon's books,and I love the older trainers that were their mentors.I've learned from all of them.I really do love Julie Goodnight,she makes some of the most sense to me of any of them,maybe because she's a woman and I can understand her better? Who knows.

I don't want to criticize Pat and Linda and try to say that people are too dumb not to judge for themselves NOT to try things.But I've heard other clinicians (not refer to them personally) say that  jumping without tack or head protection is reckless.I know they are advanced trainers and have the utmost confidence.Their horses are TRAINED and well trained to do this,and have done it many times.I'm sure Chris Reeve had a well trained horse,too,but for some reason that Chris said he never knew,his horse refused the fence that day,and we all know the sad end of that story.

That being said,my jumping days ended LONG ago!!

Are you saying that you have never been to one of her clinics because of this? Or,are you saying, "She has my respect,although I have never been to one of her clinics,) because ---"? You agreed with her,right? 

If you want to ride in a helmut, it is a good and prudent choice. I determined long ago that I would not wear one because I value my life as it is and hope that they would not do any heroics after they determined that I had a spinal cord injury that could leave me quadruplegic... if I die in a riding accident, I went doing something that I loved. After seeing such accidents, the emotional hurdles and burden on my family and loved ones would be horrific. 

That's a personal thing and far be it from me or anybody else to tell anyone what to do in a situation like that,for sure.

Some of the injuries incurred in a fall aren't serious enough to warrant life support but serious enough that a helmet could prevent some residual brain damage after a concussion such as seizures,ect.I know it's silly,but I wear one when I am riding on gravel roads,or riding alone.Guess in my mind these situations,to me,would be more likely to cause a fall,with head injury than the type of trail riding we do.But a horse shooting out from under me on the trail and hitting my head on a tree would sure do the trick,too,I'm certain.

We attended the Pennsylvania Horse Expo yesterday in Harrisburg, PA. One of the participants in the "Wind Rider Challenge" rode bridleless. The obstacles were those of a typical trail class.....sidepass a dog leg, back around 4 barrels, a 2 foot jump, etc. While the young lady had a few challenges to contend with on the course, she always kept her horse in control, and I admired her horsemanship, and "try." I have attended Jule Goodnight presentations, and also respect her.

Brenda

I just watched a guy on YouTube that tops anything Pat and Linda do,jumping over picnic tables w/out bridles,ect.!!

Anyone seen/heard of the french horseman "Lorenzo?" WOW!!!

I will look at one and post it.What nerve! Man,that guy makes me want  a nerve pill or something to calm me down.

Tried several times to post the link,must be a bad URL.Go to YouTube.com and just search Lorenzo National Horse Show in videos.Also go to www.lorenzo.fr

His problem was that he was riding at a level above his ability...

Here's a couple of videos. Very impressive rider/trainer Stacy Westfall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZIYM76mYag

This is the one everyone is talking about now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-7v8Ck1crg

Notice she does put a bridle on her horse as she exits the arena.

My experience with people that attempt bridleless riding or even halter riding anywhere buy an arena or known pastures usually ends in failure. At least they have had the sense to have a halter handy to put on and lead the horse back to the trailers. Showing off is fine, but a little common sense goes a long way.

In Indiana one of my girlfriends, level 2 parelli, would go bridleless on the trails.   Made me very nervous!    My question to her was,,,what are you going to do if you get into bees which is a common occurrence in the woods there. 

Regarding helmets..I dont wear one either and I know better!   I can't stand anything on my head, but then I dont think I would like to be on a ventilator either!    One of my best friends was riding western pleasure, on a loose rein, in an arena....she moved the horse from a walk to a trot...the horse tripped, she didnt have enough rein to pull her up...she flipped, the saddle horn got Sherri in the head.   I was working ICU when they brought Sherri in seizing.   She died 3 days later.   She was beautiful and young, engaged to a great horseman who to this day (30 yrs later) will not look at a horse.     But, it wasnt cool to wear a helmet.    I miss her. 

We all have stories like this and maybe one day, we'll all be smart enough to be wearing helmets.

For those bridleless advocates that also like gaited horses,how about this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV9DrYcrxzc