June 2009

Another Look At the Bitless Bridle

Dr. Robert Cook believes our evaluation was flawed.

By John Strassburger

Dr. Robert Cook, who developed and markets the Bitless Bridle, took exception to our evaluation of his product in our April issue. We also received many letters from

Gabriela Rodriguez’s horse, Fritz, wearing a Bitless Bridle on a Maine beach.

supporters of the Bitless Bridle (see page 15). We decided to find out why our experience was so different.

"The welfare aspect deserved more attention. This is an opportunity for people to do something wonderful for the horse after 5,000 years," Dr. Cook said. "Reins are a form of communication—but they don’t have to have a bit attached to them. The mouth is such a highly sensitive body cavity that if you could do it without interfering with it, isn’t that a good…