Home Current News News Archive Shop/Advertise Ridecamp Classified Events Learn/AERC
Endurance.Net Home Ridecamp Archives
ridecamp@endurance.net
[Archives Index]   [Date Index]   [Thread Index]   [Author Index]   [Subject Index]

Re: [RC] FW: Thought you might find this interesting - Terry Banister - Elizabeth Walker

I think you and I are on the same page here, Karen. Some horses are sweet and willing, some are more committed to getting their way at times. Some get pissy if they think they can boss you around, and some just are happy-go-lucky, and don't really pay attention to who is in charge. :)

Part of that is basic temperament, and some is past experience. A horse that has never gotten the upper hand of a human is less likely to even try. A horse that has gotten away with stuff is much more likely to push the boundaries.

I ride with someone who has a mare that falls into the sweet and willing category, and she is ridden in a halter or sidepull. She goes just fine in that, and doesn't challenge the rider for control. Caisson, on the other hand, can be easy as pie when your wishes and his coincide, but he has a temper, and can be willful. I believe he is one of those that has to *know* you have the ability to back up your requests. When he does, he happily reverts to the beta horse he really is, his eyes get soft, and he relaxes.

That attitude carries over into riding. If he thinks he can ignore you, and the situation is high-energy, he will fight for control. He goes in anything when you and he want to do the same thing. :) I started trying to change that a year ago, starting with ground work after I got some pointers from a friend. I also got a Myler combination bit with a correctional port. He was much better in October at Manzanita. Last week I was trying a new bit (Linda Tellington-Jones) which is also a high-leverage bit. He stayed soft and quiet with a nicely stretched topline when trotting (calmly) behind a fellow whose horse was cantering and sashaying all over the trail on the way home (riding in a halter, looked about ready to bolt for home). Big change, and big contrast.

On Dec 16, 2008, at 2:28 PM, Karen Sullivan wrote:

I do agree that it may have more to do with the disposition of the
horse too, than just training.........I have an Arab mare who would
probably do splendidly in a bitless bridle...just as she rides
bareback down the road in a simple rope halter.........which is heck
of alot cheaper....and will drop her head to pressure and round up
beautifully.....they both would work just great until some disaster
occurs....at which point the control would be minimal....

One nice thing about a bit in a mouth is you can literally pull the
head around easier....and with a leverage bit, well. some horses do
pay more attention to it and respect the fact you can get their
attention with it.

Again, it depends more on the horse, than rider.......if training and
riding practices were all that count, then I should theoretically be
able to ride all my horses in a rope halter...which is not true.
after my strong willed mustang mare bogged her head and sent me
flying.she graduated from a nice little myler kimberwick to a big,
honking old curb where i can KEEP HER HEAD UP if she tries to
buck!!!!!!!.  Rest of time, she goes on a loose rein......no harm.

I am all for sweetness and kindness whenever possible, but safety comes first.
Karen


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


Replies
[RC] FW: Thought you might find this interesting - Terry Banister, Kitley, Carrie E Civ USAF AFSPC 30 MDSS/SGSLF
Re: [RC] FW: Thought you might find this interesting - Terry Banister, Born Country
RE: [RC] FW: Thought you might find this interesting - Terry Banister, Kristen A Fisher
Re: [RC] FW: Thought you might find this interesting - Terry Banister, Karen Sullivan