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

Re: Vosals...& Bits, etc.

Karolyn N Wcislo (karriew@juno.com)
Sun, 10 Aug 1997 10:36:20 -0700 (PDT)

"I have strong opinions on this because I come from the western world
where
high leverage curb bits are common, where beating on your horse is
common,
where control by submission is common. There isn't partnership.

And I'll go a slight step further. I just returned from watching the
semi-finals of the "open" hunter/jumper championships (up to 5 foot
fences)
at a regional event here in town. Of the 10 horses that made it to the
final round today, EIGHT had serious bit control problems, SEVEN knocked
down bars because the horse was still fighting the bit when they were
supposed to be setting up for the jump. Enough said."

Good for you! You are SOOOOOOOO right. I live in NJ where people tend to
keep horses locked in stalls all day with no real contact with a herd,
don't train well, and use submission for control. (Before ANY ONE snaps
at this remark from NJ... Yes there are exceptions!) But we make these
horses live in unreal situations.....as far as the horse is concerned and
expect them to act in an orderly fashion. Well to those who say, " my
horse loves his stall"......then I imagine the horse has NO IDEA how to
be a horse and TENDS to be a "hot horse" We have a TB off the race
track. Part of our process of reinventing him is 24 hour turn out with
other horses. He has been an absolute dream to work with. Curious and
intelligent and willing to learn. Letting him be a horse calmed him down
to a point where we could mount him with in one day of training and ride
him calmly (at all gaits) around the ring with out him trying to be a
racehorse. All we used is a snaffle bit. And despite what is said about
herd separation, I actually found that most of our horses do not get
overly anxious when leaving the herd. I guess when you live with someone
24 hours a day, you don't mind getting away for a little while!

By the way..........I know this doesn't answer anyones question, I just
felt it needed to be said!

Karolyn and Sage & Passum ("When I was turned out on 50 acres, I thought
I died and went to heaven!")

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