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A horse’s performance can often be improved and many bitting problems alleviated by adding bitting accessories, such as nosebands and martingales, or even by eliminating the bit entirely by using a bitless bridle. A veterinarian’s familiarity with bitting accessories and various types of bitless bridles can be fully as helpful as his familiarity with the various types of bits. Bitting Accessories Bitting accessories are useful for increasing the rider’s safety and control without the need for additional rein pressure. Nosebands help to maintain the position of a bit in a horse’s mouth. Martingales alter the direction of pull on the reins, thus assuring proper action of the bit and helping the horse to maintain balance. Nosebands The simplest noseband, the cavesson, functions merely to stabilize the bridle or as a point of attachment for a martingale. Other types of nosebands are used to aid or modify the action of the bit.1 Drop, flash, and figure 8 nosebands (Figs. 1A-C) are used to hold th