Theosmom wrote:
AFPhoenix wrote:
What is he doing? Is he just heavy on the bit? Does he mouth at it and act uncomfortable? How broke is he?

He was ridden a lot last summer by the staff at the resort/ranch that I bout him from but not much since. He knows his basics still but has lots of learning left He is heavy on the bit but only when stopping, he just wants to go. He neck reins and knows some leg, mostly the go portion... He doesn't mouth the bit but if i have to use moderate or heavy pressure (I don't like to but sometimes we have to stop yah know, haha ) after I let off the pressure he puts his head out and down and gaps his mouth like it hurt. Also does anyone have any good bitless bridles to use on an excitable Arab? I really like the exercise with going in the big circles, i will have to try that!
If he's doing something that seems like it hurts, then listen to him and consider:

How the bridle fits
How the bit fits
If his teeth need any work
If you're heavy handed
How are you actually trying to stop this horse???   With your seat or by pulling on the reins?  It should be the former and never the latter.

Figure where he's experiencing pain and you'll likely need a trainer to help you with that so they can see precisely what you're doing and how he's responding and help you with all the above.

You also need to be aware that rather than rushing to go bitless you need to get the root cause established and the problem sorted.  Even with a bitless bridle a horse can evade because of pain.

Because you're now indicating there's signs of pain probably a plan to sort that before you go to riding in circles to get control.