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Re: [RC] bitless bridle- late night musings about bridles and bits from a designer - Jonni JewellFrom: "Stephanie E Caldwell" Well.... There's some bits/hackamores that are more severe, to the point of not being useable except in professional hands in extreme cases. I think anything over reasonable length shanks, on trails I'm not comfortable with much over 2", although my old curb was 4" grazing shanks. It's too easy to balance on the reins, to get them caught, or for things to happen on the trail.<<< Yes, some bits / hackamores are deemed more sever in general. But, even a simple ring snaffle, in the wrong hands, or if caught on something, can do permanent damage to a mouth (or nose / jaw) of a horse. I think one of the worst things I see on the endurance trail is riders going along, with a snaffle, having to pull, tug, and as you said "balance" on the reins. I think they are doing MORE damage, than if they would find a bit they would not have the horse hauling against all day. That, and do some retraining to get the horse to not tug against ones arms on a ride. I would much rather have a horse that is light in my hand, than one who wants to pull. I personally do not use the reins to balance myself when I ride. I use the reins to balance my horse, and to give him 'information' on what I am wanting him to do. Yes, accidents happen. Horses can get away from their riders, and get reins caught, or stepped on out on the trail. But, (at least in my case) that is fairly rare. Looking at the design of the "bitless bridles" (the type that cross under the jaw figure 8 style) I would think if a horse stepped on the reins if he got loose with those, and the bridle did not break (such as biothane) that the horse could end up with a bruised jaw, bruised poll, and be sore. They can catch most pieces of equipment they wear. Most all tack, caught on something in an accident, can injure a horse. I do wonder how many accidents and loose horses might have been prevented if the rider had more control in the first place....there's a study for Truman. <wink> I use the bit that suits the horse the best, for the control I desire. Currently one is in a simple, plastic happy mouth bit, that is about as mild as one can get. The other, I am now changing to a shanked hackamore, with wide biothane curb strap. You can never generalize any piece of equipment will work on ALL horses, with ALL riders. Find what works best for you. Ask to borrow one before you buy, to see if it will work. (as the one rider wanted to try the S Hackamore recently) Or, you can just buy it, and if it does not work, hang it up, and renew your membership to the bit of the month club! <grin> Jonni in TX =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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