Table of Contents

Benefits of the Bitless Bridle [2009]  A discussion of the benefits of the Bitless Bridle over the bit method of communication, from two points of view: that of the horse and that of the rider.  Benefits of The Bitless Bridle

Pain: The big “but” about the horse’s bit [2009] Unlike some animals when hurt, horses do not scream.  Instead they exhibit evidence of pain by changes in behavior.  This article discusses the pain caused by the bit and some of the general behavior changes that can be induced by that pain. Pain:The big “but” about the horse’s bit [2009]

Prevention of Accidents to Riders Caused by Tack  [2009]  A number of studies have been published on the cause of riding accidents.  These have mostly focused on factors other than the horse, for example, the nature of the track surface in racing and the design of jumps in eventing … what might be called the extrinsic equipment of horse sport. This article focuses on the intrinsic equipment or, to put it more simply … tack.  Be sure to also look at the accompanying list of behavioral and physical signs caused by tack.
Click here to read the article in PDF format
Click here to read the accompanying list of behavioral and physical signs caused by tack

An Apology to the Horse [2009] An article to be published in the Jan/Feb 2010 edition of Natural Horse Magazine of an interview with Dr. Cook concerning the status of rule changes to allow the crossunder bitless bridle in dressage competitions.  To read the article in PDF format, click here.

Prevalence of Bit-induced Dental and Interdental Pathology [2009]
An abstract of an article to be submitted for publication in the Equine Veterinary Journal concerning the effect of bits on the equine mouth and teeth.  Click here to read in PDF Format

Crossunder Bitless Bridle Bibliography [2009]
Evidence submitted to the USEF Dressage Committee in support of a rule change proposal to permit the crossunder bitless bridle for dressage. To read the article in PDF format, click here.
Jointed Snaffle vs. Crossunder Bitless Bridles [2009 ]Dr. Cook’s article in the Equine Veterinary Journal “Preliminary Study of Jointed Snaffle Vs. Crossunder Bitless Bridles: Quantified Comparison of Behaviour in Four Horses.” To read the article in PDF format, click here.

Superprix Review [2009]
When rational discourse fails, sometimes a humorous soliloquy can succeed. Such will hopefully be the impact of a tongue-in-cheek look at the art of dressage entitled “The Official 2060 Superprix! Fan Guide: The definitive guide to mid-21st century dressage” – a fictional account of what dressage may become if recent trends are taken to their most illogical outcome. Dr. Cook weighs in on a slim and incisive book by author Michelle Guillot. Read the article in PDF format by clicking here.

On The Bit [2009] An update to an article first put forth by Dr. Cook in 2007.  An excerpt from the article:
The FEI’s more succinct definition of ‘on the bit’ is “The acceptance of the bridle, with submissiveness throughout and without any tension or resistance.” If this definition was remembered and the misleading phrase ‘on the bit’ was discarded in favor of ‘acceptance of the bridle,’ a purely semantic hurdle to welfare reform and rule change proposals would be swept away. Click here to read the article in PDF format.

Prevention of Riding Accidents Caused by Tack [2009]
An examination of the role that tack plays in the safety and welfare of horse and rider. Both the article and accompanying Accident Prevention Checklist are provided in PDF format.Accident Prevention, by Dr. Robert Cook.
Click the link above to read the article in PDF format.  To save the file to your computer, right-click and choose “Save Target As…”Accident Prevention Checklist
Click the link above to read the checklist in PDF format.  To save the file to your computer, right-click and choose “Save Target As…”