Sidepull: the bitless bridle guide

Sidepull and bitless riding: the complete guide to understanding, choosing and making a successful transition

More and more riders are interested in bitless riding and sidepull riding. Often associated with the well-being of the horse, this approach is also attractive for the quality of the relationship it establishes: more trust, more listening, less constraint.

But how do you navigate among the many existing options, halter, hackamore, bitless, sidepull? And above all, how can we ensure that this approach is truly beneficial for the horse?

Bitless riding: between ethics and performance

For a long time, the bit was considered essential for guiding the horse. However, thousands of riders around the world prove every day that it is possible to ride without a bit, without loss of precision, safety or performance.

The motivations are multiple:

Relieve a horse with a sensitive mouth,
Preserve lightness in young horses,
Seek less intrusive communication.

The challenge is not to “do bitless riding at all costs”, but to find the most suitable contact for each horse.

Bitless horse riding: what science thinks

Today there is no scientific consensus that bitless riding is more pleasant and therefore more respectful of the horse.

Where the bit acts in the mouth, on the tongue and the corner of the lips (under normal conditions of use), the bits act directly on the horse's head. Other than by shaking its head, the horse cannot escape the painful actions of the hand. In the bit, it is the tongue that can temporarily deflect the forces. So whatever the tool, the rider's hand is the main element determining the horse's comfort.

Bit or bitless? The question concerns the individual rather than the species. It is advisable to carry out a test session with a bridle fitter or bitfitter, to determine which tool would be most appreciated by each horse.

The sidepull: a simple, precise bitless bridle

The sidepull is a bitless bridle whose noseband, fixed laterally, acts by direct pressure on the nose and the contours of the nose. Its operation is intuitive: when the rein is tightened to the right, the tension "sucks" the horse's head on the hand action side.

👉 Differences from other systems

Hackamore : leverage → increased hand action, the tension of the reins must not be continuous.
Rope halter: very localized pressures, less stable system, requires specific actions.
Bitless : crossed action under the horse's head. May lack clarity because tension does not release immediately.

The sidepull remains one of the clearest, most comfortable and easy-to-understand bitless riding tools for the horse.

The advantages of the sidepull

Total respect for the mouth,
Gentle transition for young or sensitive horses,
Clearer aids for the rider (especially with two hands),
Ideal for working on relaxation, emphasis and straightness.

Choosing your sidepull well

Good design and fit are the keys to comfort and precision. Here are the essential points to check before buying a sidepull.

The noseband

Should rest on the muzzle bone, about two fingers below the nasal process,
Flat and sufficiently thick (avoid round leather or rope),
Too low = difficulty breathing, too high = ineffectiveness.

The headrest

It must be adapted to the horse's morphology and clear sensitive areas such as facial nerves.

The chin strap

It should not be tight, but adjusted to avoid rotation of the sidepull.

Cheekpieces and rein attachments

Avoid any curls in direct contact with the head,
Choose a rein attachment at the intersection between the noseband and the post for better stability.

Successfully transitioning to bitless

Going from a mouth to an ennasure requires adaptation time for the horse and the rider. Here is a typical progression:

Work on the ground: familiarization with the flat halter then with the chosen tool,
First career sessions (transitions, circles, stops). We must seek a fine response from the horse to the rider's posture (his posture) and consider the use of the hands, as a code, as secondary.
Consolidation of work on the flat, possibly start of the obstacle,
Exterior outputs when the response is light and constant.

And on the regulatory side?

In France, the use of bitless is authorized in certain club, amateur and pro events, depending on the discipline. The regulations evolve: always consult the most recent FFE regulations before entering a competition.

Smart Wag sidepulls: between tradition and innovation

Smart Wag sidepulls combine ergonomics, aesthetics and comfort. Designed to respect the horse's anatomy, they offer clear and stable communication thanks to a balanced design and multiple adjustments.

Adjustable on several points for perfect balance,
Tested in real conditions by riders of all levels,
Durable materials, soft leather and careful finishes.

👉 Discover the complete collection of sidepulls Smart Wag and find the model that matches your horse.

In summary: dialogue above all

Choosing the sidepull means choosing fine riding, whose control and communication are essentially based on new education and fine responses, particularly to body weight.

The equipment is only a support: the real tool is the rider's hand, his listening skills and the quality of the relationship with his horse.