Interesting observation bit/bitless

[hackedoff]

Well I think its interesting anyway!:) Have re-bitted Archer at age 6+ after 2 years in Dr Cook & occasional hackamore, put him in a Jeffries Revolver fulmer and he seems happy enough and now my son can take him to shows if he wants......but know what.........? He rides exactly the same with or without. :D Dont know if that is a testament to Dr Cook's often-doubted efficacity, my cob's temperament, or my c**p riding, but I'm really surprised! Are`you?

[Skib]

No. And probably shows you are a good rider.

[LodgeRopes]

That results from diligent work bitless. well done :0)
We often get horses that are 'pigs' on a bit (no slur on pigs), we work them on the ground and when responsive, ride them in rope halters/hackamores/half bosal bitless then put them back into a snaffle bit and 90% of the problems have gone.
We felt it had a lot to do with the original bitting process the poor horse went thru. Give the horse an chance to give to pressure and they will.

In the bad old days, most of us would send a horse off to be 'broken & bitted', the horrendous techniques used by some resulted in emotionally & physically scarred horses. Hacked'...not inferring that this was the case with your horse of course... but i think we all have or have heard horrific breaking/bitting stories. The result is a credit to the work and soft hands of the rider.

[entreat]

I started riding my Aust. Stock Horse in a rope Hackamore (sorry LodgeRopes, it was a parelli one...:o :p ) out of 1) curiosity (ie, could I do it, and would he be receptive to it) and 2) laziness (too much of a tired lump to swap over to his bridle) and I discovered something very interesting - Mouse prefers bitless! He always pulls faces in a bit, regardless of what one. And he attempts to lean when he's bored with the work. But given that I'm taking a complete reeducation overhaul with him (loose reins are a 'good thing' Mouse...), the hackamore takes away the irritation in his mouth, removes something to lean against, and also encourages him to relax through his back more.

So today, I had a go in a new bit, and he was much better compared to previous bitted ridings. But I think I'll continue with the bitless because he's so much happier. :D

People did look at me strangely at first though... there's that crazy girl with he big black horse that she bought site-unseen... she's doing that weird "pre-start" thing again, and riding him around in a rope halter again... :rolleyes: :D :cool: :D

[LodgeRopes]

Good on ya entreat :0)
Having a go in a hackamore makes you re examine your basic techniques.
The one thing that has become importants to us while bitless, is to get a real good backup happening. Most training styles focus on forward movement, impulsion, but if you can get soft back ups with impulsion...you have no problems going forward, plus you have a great set of brakes while bitless.
cheers

[entreat]

Mouse does a better TOF in the rope hackamore too. :D

[hackedoff]

That results from diligent work bitless. well done :0).
What a nice thing to say *chuffed* I do feel my experience illustrates how its the training and the partnership, not the lumps of metal that make the difference- the essence of NH, in my book :)