After seeing several messages on the above subjects I felt it was time to
express a differing opinion.
Let's take the bit placememnt first (less chance of getting killed). We have
always used some form of snaffle bit for all of our horses that take a bit.
Mostly we use a gag snaffle for one simple reason, just a piece of 3/8 line,
even clothesline (for the old timers that know that clothes are hung out
doors to dry), for a head stall. Easy to keek clean or replace. We let the
rig have plenty of slack and in all cases the horse has ended up carrying
the bit with a closed mouth and no foaming or slobbering. The other snaffel
we use is a dee ring and in the bridle we also give slack, no wrinkles to
the lips or mouth corners. The horses always carry the bit closed mouth, no
noseband, no foaming or slobber.
Could never figure out the endurance riders with a noseband to keep the
horses mouth shut on the bit but then expecct the poor horse to eat when it
has the chance. Not on oxymoron just a moron (My personal humble opinion)
Feed and here is wherte you will all come down on me. have never had a
horse get hot from any feed ever given including corn or corn oil. I have
had them get hot from work, standing in the sun, but never from eating!!!
If ytou mean that the horse has excess energy then say so. nIs that not what
you feed for? So they can go down the road mile after mile at a good rate of
speed?? Food, any kind of food, has its own particular amount of energy
giving components inn its makeup. Some have more of one type than others,
and it is this combination that allows us to regulate the diet to the
benefit of ourse
Please educate yourself as to the needs of the yourselves and also the horse
.(you can carbo-load, the horse cannot). There are several books written
about nutrition and Kentucky Equine Research Inc.is a very good authority on
the subject. If you feed for energy then expect an energetic horse. If you
feed for energy and do not exercise the horse expect a hyper and then fat
horse. Remember, you ar ewhat you eat and your horse is what you feed it.
You cannot feed energy and expect an unenergetic animal!!
Any one want to dispute it send your question to sduren@micron.net he is the
Kentucky Equine Research person here in the west.
OK have at me now!!
Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID