Ancient Mesopotamian forms of bitless headgear were refined into the hakma,[REF] a design featuring a heavy braided noseband which dates to the reign of Darius in Ancient Persia, approximately 500 BC [REF].
Some modern styles of "bitless bridle" date to a "bitless safety bridle" patented in 1893, with refinements patented in 1912 and 1915 [REF].