--- In IceHorses@yahoogroups.com, "Judy Ryder" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > I was instructed to have contact because a loose rein allows the bit > > to flop around and hit the horses teeth causing discomfort, yet > > Western riders ride loose rein, so that doesn't make sense to me. > > > Exactly. It doesn't make sense. > > Ideally, you want the horse to pick up and carry the bit himself. > > We need to have trainers and owners who understand how to help the horse learn that behavior; to be able to use the bit for communication, and not force frame or stopping. >
When I went up to watch Leslie Desmond, I saw the most intereting thing. She bridled this horse really loose. I mean really loose, like the bit was hanging down between his teeth, I was kind of nervous that the bit could actually come out of his mouth. Nobody was on his back. What happened was, she left it like that and within minutes the horse picked up the bit and held it in his mouth where it felt comfortable, pretty much where you would expect a bit to be held. The horse will carry the bit, she was sure of it, I would guess she has seen this happen multiple times:) I guess a general question that has crossed my mind is: "How much do we rely on pain to get our horses to respond?" I don't think we really need to go there at all, so what is the path to no pain? I think first we have to recognize what kinds of common practices actually cause our horses pain. After that, it might be a long journey to figuring out what works in a partnership. Kim
