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World Bitless Horse Day
9th September 2023
Global day of celebration of the bitless horse.
The Theme for 23 is Tricks & Treats!
Equestrians for Equality, Fairness & Friendship
Representing and providing a network for equestrians, owners, vets, equine professionals and trainers who believe in fairness, equality and choice of bridle for
Bitless, Bitted (Part-time, thinking about it, transitioning) & Bridleless for all horses around the world.
We are a volunteer group of trainers, riders, behaviourists, equine professionals and horse lovers, that have been inspired to organise a specialised global bitless equestrian association.
Offering support, advice on ethical training and the functions of modern bitless bridles.
WBA represents ordinary riders, non-riders, competition riders, trainers, behaviourists and all equestrians, who want to see evidence based ethical training and riding increase in acceptance & popularity for the sustainable well being of the horse both mentally and physically.
We hope that our enthusiasm for change is both inspirational and of course effective as our numbers grow and our voice for the horse becomes a force to be reckoned with.
If you want to support the aims of the WBA donate here - every pound counts!
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We endorse this New Research for BITLESS BRIDLES - Identifying IMPORTANT Welfare benefits* of riding horses bit-free. We have as a Bit-free community known these advantages for a very long time! ![]()
**HIGHLIGHTS![]()
*•Bitless horses had better welfare during riding compared with bitted horses.![]()
*•Bitless horses performed fewer hyperreactive behaviours than bitted horses.![]()
*•Rider safety did not differ between bitless or bitted horses.![]()
*•Rider satisfaction was greater for riders of bitless horses than bitted horses.![]()
*•Horse-rider partnerships were better for bitless horses compared with bitted horses.![]()
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'Bit use and its relevance for rider safety, rider satisfaction and horse welfare in equestrian sport'![]()
Authors Karen L. Luke, Tina McAdie, Amanda K. Warren-Smith, Bradley P.Smith![]()
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"Given the effect of bits (and the manner in which bits are used) on horse behaviour, respiration and musculoskeletal health, it was hypothesised that bitless horses would have better welfare and exhibit fewer hyperreactive behaviours than bitted horses, and that riders of bitless horses would experience fewer accidents and injuries and greater satisfaction with their riding."![]()
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"Considering current challenges to the industry’s social licence to operate due to poor horse welfare, increased adoption of bitless riding may present a valuable opportunity to improve horse welfare."![]()
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"Moreover, bitless bridles have the welfare advantage of being intrinsically less aversive than bitted bridles, irrespective of how they are used."![]()
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"In an era where the sport horse industry is at risk of losing its social licence to operate due to poor horse welfare (Douglas et al., 2022, McGreevy and McManus, 2017, Taylor, 2022), these findings, in conjunction with other research, highlight that riding horses without bits could be an opportunity for riders and equestrian organisations to improve horse welfare."![]()
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Links to the study and the references below ![]()
(see also the World Bitless - worldbitlessassociation.org/resources/bit-free-23/)![]()
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Bit use & its relevance for rider safety, rider satisfaction & horse welfare in equestrian sport -Science direct![]()
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159123000278/pdfft?md5=2c50118d59e9f9df4a01dba4538...![]()
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#bitfree23![]()
#whynotbitless![]()
#bitless![]()
#riding![]()
#horser![]()
#horsesofinstagram ![]()
#positivereinforcementtraining ![]()
#whynotbitless![]()
#FEI![]()
#horsewelfare![]()
#worldbitless
An open Invitation to Try Bit-FREE in 2023![]()
🐴❤️![]()
The World Bitless Association encourage you to have a try at riding your horse Bit-Free in 23 - Its easier to transition than you think! We expect that you will be happily amazed at the response of your horse. ![]()
Enter the event! -> see the links here on the website![]()
worldbitlessassociation.org/resources/bit-free-23/![]()
❤️🐴![]()
World Bitless Association is a UK based charity with global aims and objectives to help raise the profile of horse friendly training and tack. We support all bitless riders, those thinking about going bitless, interested in bitless and those that want to have freedom to choose the best bridle for their horse. The WBA promotes a global listing of affiliated trainers able to assist with horse friendly evidence based training embedded in the principles of LIMA Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive.![]()
![]()
#worldbitless![]()
#bitfree23![]()
#bitless![]()
#riding![]()
#positivereinforcementtraining![]()
#bekindtohorses![]()
#horses![]()
#horsesofinstagram
Horses InsideOut with credit to the work of Gerd Heuschmann![]()
Understanding the Physical and Mental needs and how our horses work and behave helps create the perfect partnership.![]()
#horsesinsideout![]()
#tugofwar ![]()
#gerdheuschmann![]()
#balancedriding![]()
#bekindtohorses![]()
#positivereinforcementtraining![]()
#bitless![]()
#worldbitless![]()
#horses![]()
#riding
www.horsesinsideout.com
Understanding how muscles work is one of the most fundamental concepts that can influence how we ride and train our horses. Movement is created by the skeletal muscles pulling on the bones to operate ...Supporting Statement from the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC)
The IAABC applauds the World Bitless Association for their work in minimizing the use of aversive stimuli, and maximizing the effective use of reinforcers when training, riding, and competing with horses.
LIMA guidelines require that each horse is respected as a “study of one,” where structure, previous experiences, the horse’s personal preferences, and the skill of the handler determine best tools for each individual learner. Education, understanding, and consideration belong in all walks of interactions with human- and non-human animals alike. By encouraging compassionate, evidence-based practices, the World Bitless Association shows regard for the horses and the humans in their community.
IAABC.org
LIMA guidelines require that each horse is respected as a “study of one,” where structure, previous experiences, the horse’s personal preferences, and the skill of the handler determine best tools for each individual learner. Education, understanding, and consideration belong in all walks of interactions with human- and non-human animals alike. By encouraging compassionate, evidence-based practices, the World Bitless Association shows regard for the horses and the humans in their community.
IAABC.org
Marjie Alonso Executive Director
IAABC For the Board of Directors
Our aims are to:
- Network bitless owners throughout the world in one unique association
- Provide opportunities for continued knowledge/training with education resources across the world
- Provide a global network of trusted and endorsed ethical trainers
- Be the voice for all equestrians interested in ethical training & communication.
- Change the unfair rules of the equestrian associations so that we see inclusion of modern bitless bridles, in all horse sport.
- Challenge competition riding rules to reduce the trend for identified abusive and forced riding techniques currently seen all too often in competitive riding
- To represent you, your aims and aspirations
- To give the horse a voice
World Bitless Association Structure
An Equine Welfare organisation administered wholly by volunteers.
The Advisory panel
Industry professionals in specific fields of expertise include;
Dr Andrea Harvey BVSc DSAM(Fel) DipECVIM-CA MRCVS MANZCVS (Animal Welfare)
Registered Veterinary Specialist, NSW
PhD Scholar (wild horse welfare)
University of Technology Sydney
Marina Cervato DVM
Veterinarian, Evidence based Trainer, Brazil
Industry Consultants
Independent researchers, Veterinary experts, Welfare Organisations and Training organisations
The working committee
Responsibilities; The administrative delivery of day to day and strategic functions liaising with all other structures.
Contact the committee – Operations Manager Johanna Richardson
The International affiliated Trainers
World Bitless Affiliated behaviourists and trainers from around the world with a broad range of expertise and qualifications https://worldbitlessassociation.org/international-wba-representatives/
The International Representatives
Individuals and Organisations from around the world supporting and promoting horse friendly training and bitless equestrians
The Riders Representatives
Feedback of personal experience to the working committee
The equestrian community
Feedback via social media platforms
The Trustees
Responsibilities : Administration of Legal and Financial obligations compliant to UK law for Limited Companies and Charitable organisations
Colin Richardson
Scott Chapman
Paul Barkway
World Bitless Association is a company with charitable status and is ‘not for profit’ that means that ALL revenue will be used for the benefit of WBA members and their horses.
WBA needs your support as a paid-up annual member so that we can complete the aims and objectives set down in our constitution.
We need YOU to be the strong organisation YOU want, to represent YOUR views.
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