I have a Dr Cook's bitless that I really like. I started using it when the Baxter got the notion that *I* should rebalance us with the bit after jumps (big catapult jump that I'm still learning to ride), which pulled me onto his neck and made a heap of both of us. No bit, nothing to lean on... Pony has to use his skinny booter!

I have nothing against bits, although I use the very mildest bit that will get the job done (right now I'm loving my Myler comfort snaffle... very mild and the lateral control is terrific... I loved the lightbulb moment when we were doing leg yields after I switched and he was like.... "Oh! That's what all that meant before! My perfect leg yield... let me show you it!"). We usually jump in an elevator/ continental gag (that is, way back when last summer before he got hurt) for rebalancing; I refuse to use the lowest rings, however, and finally found one with just the three loops. I figure if I need more than that, we have retraining to do.

I still ride in the Dr Cook's for trails, sometimes work on dressage (I think it helps us with contact without leaning), and will probably jump around in it this summer...

Ride smarter, not harder.