RE: [RC] FW: Thought you might find this interesting - TerryBanister - Terry Banister
A horse that has never gotten the upper hand of a human is less likely to even try.
This is the important part of the horse's initial training. This is what must be established/resolved on the ground ~ before the horse is ever ridden. Unfortunately, most riders do not know how to do it, even if they had the time. Terry
> From: bwalker2@xxxxxxx > To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > Subject: Re: [RC] FW: Thought you might find this interesting - Terry Banister > Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:49:47 -0800 > > 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 > > > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= > > 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!! > > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= >
