Bitless riding is not rocket science. People that wrap it up in some mystery are only fooling themselves. For the uninitiated it is also not difficult, dangerous, complicated, convoluted, arduous, perplexing or any other adjective you may associate with the transition. The lady seemed nervous, maybe perplexed. I was just trying to reassure her that it "wasn´t rocket science". The lady appeared to need reassurance - I foolishly thought the words "it isnt´rocket science" would suffice!
Starting a horse from the get-go, transitioning an already bitted horse, re-schooling a horse with mental or physical issues, bitless, is all basically the same. Generally (see*) it is not about having to have brute strength for fear the horse will not stop. It is not about having conductor hands, opening wide to pull a horse into a turn. It is about doing the groundwork, the rider having a balanced seat and knowing that that is where the breaks and the direction come from. It is just about riding correctly, as you would bitted. It is about the smallest, correct, movement having the desired communication and therefore result.
Anyone with a well schooled horse can convert to bitless riding on their own. Obviously sessions in an enclosed arena to begin with for two reasons. One to try which type of bitless bridle best suits your horse - just as you would with a bit. Two to assure the riders confidence levels are adequate - because that is usually the bigger issue!
*If you have a horse with apparent "issues", then seeking the help of a professional is always advisable. But, as is often the case, those issues may be caused by the bit, so once it is removed your previous head tosser, or bucker, or runaway is now the harmonious angel you longed for. (Proviso - assuming any physical back/head/limb problems have been assessed and resolved by the relevant professional [EMT, Quiro, Osteo, Dentist], and saddle fit has been taken into consideration)
As for the lady, I am insulted by her rebuke. People who know me, know how much assurance I give the nervous rider, how much patience I have with the sad or broken or misunderstood horse, how much time I give to each individual, as an individual and, how I always go above and beyond.