using bitless bridle, hackamore bridle, multi bridle

Question
hello ma'am, when should i decide to use a

1) bitless bridle
2)hackamore bridle
3)multi bridle

on a horse for show jumping. i believe that the above mentioned bridles are severe for a horse except the bitless bridle as it gives relief for a horse from holding a bit and suffering from wounds on lip corners

please tell me these in detail ma'am!!

Answer
This all depends on the horse, the ride, the trainer,the previous training of the horse, etc.

In the States it also depends on your insurance company! There is one stable here that wants to use Dr. Cook's Bitless but the insurance company does not understand that it is actually probably safer and much more humane to use to teach people riding who do not yet have an independent seat and they have to use snaffle bits.

There are many types of hackamores. Some are quite bad. A mechanical hackamore can be severe....jumping hackamores are less so, as are just regular side pulls. There is a type that has actually broken a horse's jaw when the rider yanked on it. It has a piece of metal under the horse's jaw.

I guess multi bridle you mean can convert to using  a bit or using the hackamore part?

In my opinion, for show jumping, use the least severe head gear that you can. I have clients successfully jumping on our open (A) circuit in a Bitless.However, you are learning, so I want you to trust your instructor as long as he is educated and is looking out for your welfare and the welfare of the horse.

If anyone is pulling on the horse's mouth regularly...if the horse's mouth opens becase of the discomfort in his mouth, then the rider, trainer and horse have to be retrained.  I realize that sometimes it happens...that is not what I am talking about.  Seat and legs are your primary aids, and the hands come last.