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I think you and I are on the same page here, Karen.   Some horses are  
sweet and willing, some are more committed to getting their way at  
times.   Some get pissy if they think they can boss you around, and  
some just are happy-go-lucky, and don't really pay attention to who is  
in charge.  :)

Part of that is basic temperament, and some is past experience.  A  
horse that has never gotten the upper hand of a human is less likely  
to even try.  A horse that has gotten away with stuff is much more  
likely to push the boundaries.

I ride with someone who has a mare that falls into the sweet and  
willing category, and she is ridden in a halter or sidepull.   She  
goes just fine in that, and doesn't challenge the rider for control.    
Caisson, on the other hand, can be easy as pie when your wishes and  
his coincide, but he has a temper, and can be willful.  I believe he  
is one of those that has to *know* you have the ability to back up  
your requests.   When he does, he happily reverts to the beta horse he  
really is, his eyes get soft, and he relaxes.

That attitude carries over into riding.  If he thinks he can ignore  
you, and the situation is high-energy, he will fight for control.  He  
goes in anything when you and he want to do the same thing.  :)  I  
started trying to change that a year ago, starting with ground work  
after I got some pointers from a friend.  I also got a Myler  
combination bit with a correctional port.  He was much better in  
October at Manzanita.  Last week I was trying a new bit (Linda  
Tellington-Jones) which is also a high-leverage bit.  He stayed soft  
and quiet with a nicely stretched topline when trotting (calmly)  
behind a fellow whose horse was cantering and sashaying all over the  
trail on the way home (riding in a halter, looked about ready to bolt  
for home).  Big change, and big contrast.

On Dec 16, 2008, at 2:28 PM, Karen Sullivan wrote:

> I do agree that it may have more to do with the disposition of the
> horse too, than just training.........I have an Arab mare who would
> probably do splendidly in a bitless bridle...just as she rides
> bareback down the road in a simple rope halter.........which is heck
> of alot cheaper....and will drop her head to pressure and round up
> beautifully.....they both would work just great until some disaster
> occurs....at which point the control would be minimal....
>
> One nice thing about a bit in a mouth is you can literally pull the
> head around easier....and with a leverage bit, well. some horses do
> pay more attention to it and respect the fact you can get their
> attention with it.
>
> Again, it depends more on the horse, than rider.......if training and
> riding practices were all that count, then I should theoretically be
> able to ride all my horses in a rope halter...which is not true.
> after my strong willed mustang mare bogged her head and sent me
> flying.she graduated from a nice little myler kimberwick to a big,
> honking old curb where i can KEEP HER HEAD UP if she tries to
> buck!!!!!!!.  Rest of time, she goes on a loose rein......no harm.
>
> I am all for sweetness and kindness whenever possible, but safety  
> comes first.
> Karen


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