> My coach says that if the horse is chewing his bit then he's relaxed. > Is that true? I find that odd if it is, cuz I chew my gum faster the > more stressed I am.
I think your own experience is very relative to a horse's. I've seen horses calmly chewing their bit, just like you might mindlessly chew gum; but then they will chew faster and more aggressively if they are upset or anxious. But there are always other signs too--ears twitching, head up, tense body, etc. A relaxed horse chewing the bit would have a soft expression, ears that are paying attention but not flipping all over the place, head is not high, body is relaxed. Watch a few horses when you're out at the barn and see what you think. Robyn
