Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Hello Claire,
I too used a bitless bridle for several months but noticed that my 
horse slowly learned that I had no real control and all gaits kept 
getting faster with no way to moderate them. I have gone back to 
using my usual short shank grazing bit and all controls have 
returned. I have done endurance for 12 years on 4 horses using the 
grazing bit and the horses drank and ate fine on the trail. When 
everything is fine just a wiggle on the reins gets a nice stop but 
for the unexpected cow and giant spook I have power steering if I 
need it. Like you I have very quiet hands but the S-Hack I found to 
be very sloppy in a bad situation. I also noticed that all the fancy 
training in the world evaporates in the face of a mountain biker 
sliding down a narrow trail right at my totally freaked out horse 
sooo... I have decided to use a bridle that gives me some direct 
contact control if I need it plus an almost guaranteed one-rein spin 
and panic stop.
Don Huston


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