This message is from: Genie Dethloff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
I agree with Solveig and Lori.
There are varying degrees of severity in snaffle bits all the way to
a Dr Bristals which is allowed (luckily no twisted wires are
allowed). When ever you add leverage to a bit you are changing the
dynamics to a harsher bit. Many people like the Kimberwicks with
the broken "snaffle mouth" or the same in a Tom Thumb. As soon as
you add leverage by putting the rein in a lower slot, you no longer
have a snaffle and no longer have a direct contact bit.
I have spent a long time with my fjord trying to train him to truly
reach into the contact and have changed bits three times to go to a
milder bit each time, the idea being take away the resistance and
allow the horse to accept the communication you are trying to build.
It is only with lack of pain that a horse can honestly accept and
reach for contact. My big guy could run through any of these bits,
but is losing the desire to avoid or ignore the bit. The more I
develop steady clear hands, the better he gets - he trusts me and the
bit now.
I would be concerned that people who feel they need to use ported or
leverage bits would be ones who have the most tendency to hurt the
horse. The exception to this is in higher level dressage where the
ported bit is a second bit for refined communication as Solveig
mentioned.
I really respect the fact that Eventing has a dressage phase where
the horse has to demonstrate that he can go in self carriage in a
snaffle bit irrespective of the bit used for cross country or jumping.
It can be painfully slow to retrain a horse, especially if strong or
disrespectful, or if he is used to being set in a frame with devices,
to go well in a snaffle but in the end it is worth it. The key is
moving the horse from being controlled by the hands, reins and bit to
being controlled by the seat, body and legs. When your horse
responds to your body cues, your horse responds to the bit for
refinement and additional instructions. The best aid I have
developed is stronger abdominal muscles, so I can hold with my body
not my arms.
I think we do the breed a service by retaining the current bit
restrictions for advanced English; it helps make us better trainers.
ello from Olivia Farm,
I just wanted to point out that the Advanced English test is based
on a First Level dressage test. While this is not extremely
advanced as dressage goes, it does require some "further training",
which is what is written in the test description. In a first level
test, you are only allowed a snaffle bit.
Although Fjords are strong I find that correct dressage training
enables fairly easy riding in a snaffle bit. I do have some horses
that "go" better in a curb - but those are horses who are accustomed
to it and haven't had what I consider proper dressage training.
Every horse that I start in a snaffle continues to go well in a
snaffle. This includes My Stallion, Peppertree's Christian!
I know it doesn't seem fair - and perhaps since the test in
English and not Dressage the bit requirements should be looked into.
But we have to remember that Western and English are looking for
different things. Western wants no contact, English and Dressage
requires contact. I find contact with a curb to be harsh until the
training is so far along that the lightest bit of pressure makes the
horse respond and the horse can basically go in self carriage (as in
third level and above Dressage). There are even many driving
trainers who prefer to drive in snaffles, but understand that in
driving you have limited aids and safety and control are the biggest
concerns.
If anyone thinks that fjords can't possibly go well in a snaffle,
they only need to look at the number of fjords that have completed
and passed their intro or advanced English tests or are competing
successfully at lower level dressage (or upper level for that
matter, they all had to start off with a snaffle!). Just because it
is easier to train in a curb, doesn't mean that it is better
training for the horse.
Solveig Watanabe
Olivia Farm
www.oliviafarm.com
--
Genie Dethloff
Ann Arbor, Michigan
