We Can Help YOU Solve…

⇒difficulty with bridling (playing ‘giraffe’)

when you go bitless with the Nurtural, you can expect your horse to relax and before you know it, he/she will actually lower their head into The Nurtural by Circle-X.

⇒head lifting or dipping from your contact

because your horse learns there is no discomfort to anticipate, your contact will become lighter, allowing your horse to really think about what you are asking

⇒heaviness on the forehand or constantly behind the vertical

these are learned reactions to sensations the horse would prefer to avoid, again – your horse will not need to behave this way due to your improved relationship

⇒helping your horse to enjoy riding and being together as much as you do

there is a good chance you feel your horse is fine with its bit because you have light hands – if your horse could go without a bit, why not?

It’s the only bitless bridle with a Circle-X under the jaw, gripping on the noseband and reinstraps with enough adjustment to allow you to attach your reins almost exactly as you would with a bit.

Using this bridle is intuitive to both horse and rider. Just ride, train or drive as if you have a bit … without the fight!

So lets get down to some specifics on how the Nurtural Bitless Bridle works. It’s pure pressure and release. Fitting properly is crucial. You want no pressure on the face until you ask for an action, when the horse complies – you want, and give, instant release!

• To stop or slow your horse, traditionally you use your seat and legs – a subtle leaning back and exhaling usually cues your horse to your wish. If you need additional cue, simply pull on both reins as usual. This puts pressure first on the textured noseband, then creates a whole head hug with sustained pressure and finally, if necessary and with sustained pressure, right to the solid crownpiece.
  – Safety first! We suggest starting your horse in your new Nurtural Bitless Bridle in an enclosed area.
  – First fit the bridle carefully, then show the horse how it works.
  – To maximize performance, it is important that your Nurtural Bitless Bridle be fitted correctly for your horse.
  – One of the best ways to accomplish the perfect fit is by watching our Fitting and First Use video before putting it on your horse.
  – Do an initial fitting, rewatch the video and then tweak your fit.
  **You will be well pleased with this investment of time into getting the right fit! This is unlike any headstall you ever used in that it isn’t holding a bit in the mouth! You want this bridle loose everywhere – you should be able to easily slide your flat hand under every strap. Then, when in actual use – notice how the straps on the sides of the face tend to ‘poof’ when you apply pressure? You WANT this! Embrace the ‘poof’! This is the basic mechanism by which the bridle releases quickly!

• Turning: When you pull on the left rein to ask your horse to turn left, instead of creating a pull on the bit at the left side of the mouth, the short reinstrap instantly pulls on the ring and the noseband, asking the horse to turn its nose toward the pull.
  – The pull on the reinstrap travels to the Circle-X (creating a whole head hug) and to the continuation of the reinstrap as it crosses the widest part of the cheek on the opposite side of the horse’s head, asking the horse to turn its entire head.  The pull/turn is as small or large as you like. The Circle-X stabilizes the bridle even if you need to perform a One Rein Stop!

• The horse turns its head to the left in response to the pull/push pressure on the noseband, the Circle-X gently hugging under the jaw, the reinstrap pushing on its right cheek and, only from an extreme tug, will pressure eventually be applied to the poll.
  – Just keep applying pulsing pressure until the horse turns as far as you like – steady pressure tends to negate itself.
  – The horse soon learns that a gentle tug on a single rein means to turn in that direction. 

• When you stop pulling on the rein, the bridle releases to the comfortable position, signalling the horse to stop turning.
  – This is a super subtle action, usually not seen but can be felt when testing by placing your flat hand under any strap and test applying and releasing pressure.
  – The Circle-X and the reinstraps remain positioned to respond to your next signal.
  – With loose reins, there is little-to-no pressure on the horse’s head. 

• English trained horses that are used to being “on-the-bit” respond to the pressure of the noseband and, react essentially the same as they do with a bit … without the fight.
  – You can read more in the experiences of Cathy Inch and Leslie Smith-Dow. Western trained horses are comfortable on a loose rein, and appear to learn to neck-rein quickly (at least my mare did! )  See Nurtural Reviews. 

As you can read on the Why Nurtural is Better page, there was far more love than science responsible for the design.  We just kept playing with the design, making improvements until our horses said it worked for them.  Fortunately, we have clever horses and it works very well!  Now we have the science behind it and the patent to prove it!

Since we introduced this bridle to the public at the Royal Winter fair in Toronto in November 2005, hundreds of equestrian enthusiasts are nurturing their horses, and taking their relationships to new levels. We enjoy hearing your stories!  Please drop us a line with your comments and stories!