ridecamp@endurance.net: bits

bits

John & Sue Greenall (greenall@vermontel.com)
Mon, 11 Aug 1997 08:48:36 -500

I have been listening to this issue and find many of you have
excellent points. However, I have not heard about using a pelham bit
which incorpoorates both a snaffle and a curb. I see very few trial
riders using such a bit and many comment on how difficult it must be
to ride with two reins. Not really, I hardly notice. The beauty is
that I can balance my Morgan with the snaffle rein while trotting
down hill, yet have the strength of the curb when he gets really
strong. I only flick that curb rein to remind him that I am deciding
the speed. If I rode the entire ride on the curb, he would fight me
every inch of the way (learned that the hard way). I can also throw
the reins away if he is willing to be a good boy (not too often). I
also drive my horses and have come to value the balance of the bit
in the hand and so have they. I think that is why I have such good
down hill horses. Riding with two reins is a little more work, but
it rewards the horse when he is doing it right yet gives the rider
the "control" he might need to correct the horse.
John and Sue Greenall
mailto:greenall@vermontel.com

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