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Re: Re: going bitless




----- Original Message -----
From: "Linda B. Merims" <lbm@ici.net>
.  He
> collects just as nicely.  (The hackamore has an interesting
> effect that is sort of mid-way between a snaffle and a
> straight curb when you are trying to "set a head."

Hello Linda,
This is an interesting observation I would like to share with you. I often
see reference to "setting the head" and I wonder if I am understanding what
the person's understanding is as to what they are trying to accomplish. In
my limited experience, it is my understanding that one does not attempt to
get a particular head set. If the horse is allowed to relax, is ridden
forward into the bit, the head will drop and the back will round thus
achieving what I think people are referring to when they use the term
"proper head set". To try to achieve this with the use of a particular bit
or rein aid is asking only for the horse to bend his neck into a particular
position and will not achieve anything but the opposite of what a relaxed,
rounded frame in actuality is. In fact the horse will often be resistant and
appear to be "rushing" or in fact, "behind the bit". And this approach to
riding forward into the bit is not sought only by dressage riders.  Read any
training suggestions of trainers such as John Lyons or Pat Parelli and you
will see that the goal is for a relaxed, forward moving horse and no mention
is made of the bit or headstall being esssential to achieving this. I would
only caution that the primary concern be with helping the horse to move
freely, unimpeded by the rider or any mechanical "aids".
Pat



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