Bit question

[Linneus Ahearn]

Re: Bit question

To the OP. If your horse gets anxious upon riding, his problem may be more than just a bit. How well does your saddle fit him? Does he have any dry spots after unsaddling - this would indicate pinching and lack of circulation in the area. No saddle blankets will help this situation.

If you feel it's the bit, you might check his teeth to see if the bit is interfering or hitting a tooth. If that proves negative you could try letting him wear a snaffle bit around all the time. Feed him and let him get used to eating and drinking with it there (no reins or extra straps just let him wear a halter with it tied to the cheek rings). This will help remove the association of riding with wearing a bit.

Now for you, practice balance without reins so when you ride you don't use the reins accidentally. If you find you do use the reins more than you should, then put a neck rope around your horse and hold that as well as your reins so your hands won't move so much. Also make sure you are not wearing spurs and unconsciously jabbing him.

Good luck!

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: Bit question

Wow this could turn into an entire horsemanship discussion... Bits or the lack there of depend on the level of the horse. No matter how good of a rider we are, we have to ride at the level of the horse. IF you ride a green horse as it were a veteran then you are asking for (and generally will recieve) trouble. Trust me I know this the hard way.

Pete if you want to pursue this start in a corral and move up and out. Be sure you horse knows his leg cues and yeilds really well as you progress. Maybe look up some students of the Ray Hunt, Tom and Bill Dorrence schools of thought on horsemanship. Their insights have taught me so much more since I thought I knew everything. Insidently there is a lady rider at Churchhill Downs that pony rides racers to the starting gate bridleless only a neck rope.

By the way the Bosal/ mecate are Moorish in origin...

TEH

[csabugler]

Re: Bit question

Hey Zach, how the hell are ya? I only briefly gave thought to riding at events withoput a bit. I'm doing it at home with a parelli halter rig just for fun. lessons for me are a definite!