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[RC] FW: Thought you might find this interesting - Terry Banister - Kitley, Carrie E Civ USAF AFSPC 30 MDSS/SGSLF

I bought one of these a couple years ago and thought it would be the
answer to my prayers.  Well, like everything else in the tack realm, it
works for some horses and not for others.  I have not ventured to try it
on my crazy mare after all, which was my initial intent, (I prefer to
keep her in the Myler).
I did try it on a sweet gelding I used to have and he simply ignored the
pressure and pushed right through it and I ended up with far less
control, and once he realized this, it was futile.  Had to go back to a
bit with him.  However, my husband is now using it on his gelding that
used to fight a metal bit and it works fine for him.  I will say though,
if you're ever in a dangerous 'fight or flight' situation with a horse
in a bitless, you will likely be ignored and reduced to a flailing sack
of potatoes on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.
Carrie


"A SIMPLE ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM
TO REDUCE ACCIDENTS IN EQUESTRIAN SPORT

On 31 October 2008, during the annual conference of the Certified
Horsemanship Association held at the Kentucky Horse Park, Dr. Robert
Cook, a
veterinary researcher, gave a demonstration of relevance to the
improvement
of welfare and safety for horses and humans.

The demonstration took the form of a scientific experiment in front of
witnesses. Four volunteers, all of whom were CHA certified riding
instructors, rode four horses that were offered by owners for the
purpose.
A four-minute, exercise test was first completed using a bitted bridle
(jointed snaffle). Immediately afterwards, the same rider/horse
partnership
repeated the test using the BitlessBridle. Prior to the demonstration,
none
of the horses had ever been ridden in a crossunder bitless bridle. The
horses' behavior and performance were evaluated and a videotape
recording
supplemented the 'laboratory notebook.'

An independent judge scored the tests on a scale from one to ten, for
each
of the 27 phases of the test. The average score when bitted was 37% and,
when bitless, 64%. It was a revelation for the horse's owners, riders
and
spectators that such a significant improvement in performance could be
achieved in four minutes by removing the bit and replacing it with a
painless method of communication. The experiment also demonstrated that
the
transition from bitted to bitless was instantaneous.

The results provide further evidence of the need for rule change
proposals
to be submitted in order that the crossunder bitless bridle, a safer and
more humane method of communication than the bit, is made available as
an
option for competition. In the past ten years, the crossunder bitless
bridle has been thoroughly tested on horses of all types, temperaments
and
stages of schooling; by riders of all ages and ability; in nearly every
discipline; and under diverse conditions, worldwide. The scientific,
humanitarian and practical equestrian reasons for providing such an
option
are compelling. The option should not be denied on the grounds of
tradition. The bit is a Bronze Age invention. Horsemen now have a better
way to communicate with their horse's head. Use of the bit triggers over
100 negative behaviors and causes 40 different diseases.

Members of pony clubs, national equine federations, the international
equine
federation (FEI), and administrators of racing are urged to submit the
necessary rule change proposals in order that the rules, for all
disciplines, embrace this historic advance in welfare and safety for
horse
and rider. The Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS) has led the way
by
approving the crossunder bitless bridle for dressage and for certain
driving
competitions. The South African National Equine Federation (SANEF)
launches
a year's trial for separate bitless dressage competitions, starting in
2009. Much suffering, many accidents and a host of diseases could be
avoided if other federations would follow their example and introduce
this
simple administrative reform.
Committee officials now have a chance.
A stroke of the pen will make horses dance.

For additional evidence visit www.bitlessbridle.com or contact Robert
Cook
FRCVS, PhD, Professor of Surgery Emeritus, Cummings School of Veterinary
Medicine, Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA; Chairman, BitlessBridle
Inc. Present address: 206 Birch Run Road, Chestertown, MD 21620 USA
Email: drcook@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Telephone: (443) 282 0472"

-- 
Daniel E. Hofford HHCS
www.hoofnexus.com
equsnarnd@xxxxxxxxx
"Our gold does not chink and glitter. It gleams in the sun and neighs in
the dark." Chief Joseph
"Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower."  Albert Camus
"Happiness is a decision you make and a commitment you keep, not
something that just happens to you." Daniel Hofford



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Carrie Kitley
30th Medical Group, Vandenberg AFB
DMLSS Database Sustainment Specialist (DSS)
CACI International Inc, www.caci.com
DSN:  276-1077
Fax: 805-606-1179



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