Soft, Round and Bitless - by Ali Kermeen (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Keys to riding your horse in an optimal, athletic frame for any equestrian sport or activity--without a bit.

In her inspiringly illustrated new book, horsewoman Ali Kermeen, author of The Working Equitation Training Manual, shows readers how it is possible to get a horse soft and round without using a bit, side-reins, or longeing apparatuses.

For many, riding "bitless"--without a bit in the horse's mouth--can feel like a leap of faith because of a perceived lack of control. But, Kermeen argues, most of the time, the control a rider has over a horse (who is a thousand pounds of muscle and reaction) has more to do with training and partnership, and less to do with equipment. Kermeen is not lobbying for all horses to be ridden bitless--as she notes in her book, there are bitless bridles that are just as severe as those with bits, and plenty of horses have the mouth shape, understanding, and rider to happily carry a bit. Ultimately, however, she feels the decision as to whether a horse should be wearing a bit or going bitless should be up to the horse. In addition, Kermeen writes, Learning to ride and train horses bitless has made me a better rider with the bit."

To be successful at transitioning a horse from bitted riding to bitless riding, you can't just "trade out the equipment and hope for the best." Over years of working with horses and competing them without a bit, Kermeen has developed a series of exercises that she uses for all horses, regardless of their likely sport or activity. Her method sets horses up to understand how to be soft and round. A soft horse and rider produce a picture of harmony and understanding. They work as a partnership. A horse that can carry his own body in a round frame, without being forced, is able to be athletic and is in an ideal position to be influenced by the rider. In these pages, learn:

• Important groundwork skills to set your horse up for success.


• Valuable comparisons of different kinds of bitless bridles.


• Expert recommendations for choosing and fitting a bitless bridle.


• Ridden exercises for connecting the groundwork basics under saddle, without a bit.

Kermeen explains that learning to be an effective rider without a bit has made her a better rider when she uses a bit. And her easy-to-use, approachable guide is for anyone who wishes to improve their own performance, as well as being aware of and proactive about their horse's health, comfort, and well-being.

About the Author

Ali Kermeen, grew up riding at a top eventing barn in the East Bay of San Francisco, California. As a junior rider she developed a love for enjoying horses in all disciplines, including dressage, eventing, hunter/jumper, gymkhana, western, and trail riding. She has carried this love of different disciplines into her professional life, with the basis of all her training being dressage principles integrated with Tom Dorrance-style horsemanship. Ali earned certifications as a Certified Horsemen's Association (CHA) Master Instructor in both English and Western, a United States Eventing Association (USEA) Certified Level 1 Instructor, a Cowboy Dressage Level 2 Recommended Clinician, a United States Dressage Federation (USDF) "L" judge program graduate with distinction, a USDF Silver and Bronze Medalist, and coached Santa Clara University's dressage team for three years. Kermeen offers lessons and clinics in a variety of disciplines. She has competed successfully at Intermediate B (level 5) in USAWE (United States of America Working Equitation) rated competitions and is the author of The Working Equitation Training Manual (alikermeen.com). She resides in Sunnyvale, California.