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What Erin was getting at can be better demonstrated than described.
First, gently rub your pointer finger and thumb together in a circular
motion. You will soon be duplicating this motion at the corner of your
horses mouth as follows:
Wet your pointer finger and thumb with water. Then carefully put your
finger in the corner of Sareei's mouth where the bit rests. Your finger
should NOT be between teeth for obvious reasons. Using the circular,
pinching motion described above, gently message the corner of the mouth
just where you get the smile creases from the bit.
Within a few seconds you should get a chewing reaction. As soon as he
starts chewing notice any muscle tension in Sareei's neck start to
release. It is this same release that allows a horse to round up and
come onto the bit. Erin's term "Chewing the bit" ultimately refers to
this sort of tension relase.
By the way, this release technique also works well for neck and shoulder
message in that it gets the horse to relax and accept either
accupressure or deep muscle manipulation.
Hope this helps.
Ramey & Cynthia Peticolas-Stroud
L Eisele wrote:
>
> In the latest Practical Horseman there was an article by Erin
> McChesney about dressage on the trail and in discussing a horse she
> trained that was riden on the Tevis the rider had problems with the
> horse getting stiff and tight in the back and hindquaters and Erin said
> to get the horse CHEWING the bit , both sides. If the horse is chewing
> both sides then the stiff side of the horse will relax.
> When is the horse chewing the bit? Also what is meant chewing on
> both sides to get the horse to relax the stiff side. If the horse is
> chewing does that mean his back is round? How can you tell the horse is
> chewing and not just nervous chomping? Linda
>
> Linda Eisele & Sareei and
> hubby, Allen and the General nevadaghostridr@webtv.net
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