>>>> I just feel there is a similarity between riding bridle less and being >>>> able to let go of the reins a minute to fiddle with something, dont you? >>>> In both cases the horse is being cued with legs/seat and behaving without >>>> steering mechanisms. or misbehaving as the case may be.
I think there is somewhat of a similarity...except that ALL horses with any degree of training should be able to stand while someone makes a minor adjustment in their clothing, grabs a sip of water, whatever, but that I wouldn't really expect so many riders to be prepared to ride totally bridleless. I'd say that being able to drop the reins is a very basic skill for any horse/rider pair though. I sure wouldn't let a small child ride any horse I own out of my sight...no, I started to say unless I knew the horse could be trusted to stand still, but actually, I simply wouldn't let any small child ride a horse I own out of my sight on the trail...period. Too much can go wrong, for the horse or for the kid. And liability of a child riding out of my sight on one of my horses? Or would I let a small child ride bridleless on one of my horses? Both just makes me shudder. I don't think that would be covered under the umbrella liability-free scenarios the signs posted on my property refer to. *I* would eventually like to get to the point I can ride bridle-less. I would like to say my skills are to that point. I drop the reins for extended periods now, but if I do it, I will only do it on my own horses, but I won't encourage anyone else to do it on my horses. Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED] No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1214 - Release Date: 1/8/2008 1:38 PM
