How much control?

[NuttyMare]

http://www.horseandharmony.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_76&products_id=341

Has anyone tried a bosal?

http://www.horseandharmony.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_78&products_id=394

I'm a little concerned about the reins, would they be safe in an accident?

[Showjumper]

A horse that's trained to yield quickly to nose pressure, and can turn on weight aids will be very controllable in a bosal. However, use it on a horse that hasn't been trained to respond to it, and you could have a sticky situation on your hands :)

[NuttyMare]

Thankyou :D

[notpoodle]

how do you train them to respond to it?

[Showjumper]

Lots of teaching them to yield to pressure, lots of focus exercises, and plenty of practice. I used to ride Dolly in a rope halter set up as a bosal (reins attached under the chin) and it was great while I was doing regular groundwork sessions with her, but when we started doing more riding work and she got fitter, she started running through it and ignoring her training.

We could easily have worked through it, but now we've got the Dr Cook which I find much better anyway :)

[notpoodle]

will they remember the training when something scares them and they feel the urge to bolt or run home?

julia
(i know, i worry way too much!)

x

[Showjumper]

It depends a lot on the individual horse. Technically, if the training is really ingrained, the horse should remember it, even in scary situations. However, like with a bit, some horses will still panic and bolt, no matter how much time you've spent on their training.

Dolly's done some big spooks in the Dr Cook but as she can't evade it, I've always managed to get her attention back quickly.

[hackedoff]

I agree, any training you've done to bring the horses focus to you in a tight spot will reflect in riding in any bit. Personally I use the 'life up, life down' technique for acceleration and braking.
BTW, will all those who have never been bolted off with by a horse in a bit stand up please? :p

[tazzle22]

BTW, will all those who have never been bolted off with by a horse in a bit stand up please?

Just so HO :D

I have ridden Taz for five years bitless ( and driven for three ditto) .... and I bet bottom dollar that if ANYTHING goes wrong its the "bitless" that gets the blame :rolleyes: ....... yet a bitted horse does the same thing and loads possibilities for whatever happened get considered !!!!


Nutty mare ... sorry I have not tried a bosal although I have seen rope halters used very lightly and effectively ... similar in action to a bosal but without the thick padding on the noseband.

as said before ... its all in the "training" of the horse .... and even the best "trained" of horses could "lose it" given exceptional circumstances..... I would add that the relationship of trust between horse and rider is also important ....

as is the exposure of the horse to as many circumstances as possible where "normal" horses might flee ....but where horse has learned its OK