ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Vosals...& Bits, etc.

Re: Vosals...& Bits, etc.

Karolyn N Wcislo (karriew@juno.com)
Sun, 10 Aug 1997 10:36:18 -0700 (PDT)

***"Well, Mike, I resent that remark. If I used pain instead of
training, I
wouldn't be able to ride my horse in almost all situations in a bit as
you say "has zero effect". Maybe that's why she likes it even better
than my fat, loose ring snaffle. But, as I've said, we have problems
when other horses are moving off ahead of us on the trail. For months I
have worked on this problem,in my ineffective bit, by using half-halts,
slowing down, leg-yielding and making her go at the end of the group.
Maybe it would just take tons more time but all I've accomplished is
making her walk all the time to control her anxiety. This gets really
tiresome. The one time I have tried putting the curb strap on, she
listened better and we were actually able to trot behind other horses.
I am willing to try going back to the loose ring snaffle since you seem
to think that has more effect than the grazing bit with no curb. But if
I end up with the curb back on, I am not the only one around who thinks
its necessary and safe to use it (with sensitivity and soft hands).
Plenty of horses with fine training use them."***

I had this problem for a while with my Arab cross. It was amazing how
well she could ignore every bit I used (grazing bit, snaffle, Tom
Thumb....you name it.) I switched to a side pull after a while, because
she needed constant contact to keep at a walk! And usually she wouldn't
walk, but would trot in place. Now with the side pull, I ride her with a
completely loose reign, she walks behind other horses, infront of other
horses, next to.... trots, walks and canters on command....just like a
dream horse should. She just hated a bit. (She would gallop off like a
race horse with a bit in her mouth and there was NO stopping her, until
she got where SHE wanted to be) Like I said, she is a DREAM now. The most
TRUSTED horse on the trails at our barn... well second most. (out of 15)

Karolyn and Sage ("how would you feel with a piece of metal in YOUR
mouth..yuk!")

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