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Re: [RC] [Guest] Bits - Jim Hollandk s swigart wrote: Why would you want to ask your horse to travel all those miles with something in his mouth if you don't HAVE to?????Well, because, generally speaking, I have found a bit to be the most effective piece of equipment for teaching a horse to travel correctly without having to over use my hands (counterintuitive as this may seem to some people). And while a horse doesn't HAVE to travel correctly, why would I want to ask my horse to travel all those miles without having taught him to travel correctly. Hmmm...are you implying that it is not possible to TEACH a horse to "travel correctly" without using a bit? I beg to differ. Put my horses against yours any day on "travelling correctly". You sound like John Lyons who told me "you can't teach a one rein give or head drop with an S-Hack....MUST have a full cheek snaffle". Sorry, John, but anything you can do in a full cheek snaffle, I can do in an s-hack...and I can teach it quicker with less stress, especially with young horses. In fact, my guys "travel correctly" without a hackamore in a simple neck rope...Sunny more so than Magic, because he doesn't have the "time out there". Sunny "travels correctly" and responds to the slightest weight change or leg pressure and he hasn't had a bit in his mouth in the 8 years I've owned him. However, what I have found is that for most horses, an egg but, jointed (either single or french link, most horses have a mild preference for the french link) snaffle is the least confusing piece of headgear there is and the one for which I have encountered the least amount of resistence (so, yes, that is asking my horse's opinion). I have found exactly the OPPOSITE to be true. IMHO, the bit in the mouth is a distraction...it's ALWAYS there...the hack does nothing but hang on his head until you pick up a rein. Different strokes tho...whatever floats your boat. ...there may be plenty of reasons for not using a bit, but the ability to eat and/or drink with it on is not one of them. I agree, but "ability" is not the issue. "Comfort" is the reason for dispensing with the bit. I could ride in a McClellan Saddle, but I choose NOT to do so because there are alternatives that work just as well and are more "comfortable". Jim (who doesn't OWN a bit)So one presumes that (since you don't own one), you have virtually no experience with bits and know virtually nothing about how your horse would respond to one or what his opinion might be. On the other hand, you may have tried them and found that you and/or your horse(s?) don't like them....but I bet it wasn't because they didn't like eating with it on. :) Actually, I have lots of experience with bits. I gave my last one, a Kimberwicke, away many years ago....and among other things, PART of the reason was that they they DIDN'T like eating/drinking with it on. IMHO, they eat...and drink...easier, more efficiently, and more comfortably without a bit. Simply my MHO, for what it's worth. Bosals are OK, but lots of "loose rope" underthere to catch on things where I ride. Prefer a plain old halter to those. Tried a Vosal, but couldn't train with it as well as the s-hack. Haven't fooled with a bitless bridle...looked at a few horse who were wearing them...seems OK...certainly better than a bit. Jim, Sun of Dimanche+, and Mahada Magic =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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