It's more than just a "poorly worded email".

If he's using the word "headset" and telling you guys to look at "headset" there's a problem. Headset is an artificial placement of the head in a place - ie, incorrect riding. People who talk about headsets are working in a front-to-back manner. The correct methodology is back-to-front. Horses are rear-wheel drive vehicles. You do not set the head, you do not place the head, you do not mess with the head. When the horse is working correctly the head goes in the correct place. It's just how the biomechanics of it work.

To use a piss poor car analogy, this isn't like a British car mechanic saying "Lets have a look under the bonnet". It's like a car mechanic pointing at your tires and saying "Here's your problem, these are supposed to be SQUARE."

When it comes to his choice of disciplines for above, below, behind and on the bit, he's off as well. On the bit has zero relevance to racing horses, nor are they a good example of the "above the bit" evasion. Western horses are not supposed to travel behind the bit or with the poll below the withers. Hunters do not go "on the bit" in the same context that a Dressage horse does. A Dressage horse has multiple levels of engagement and will work through different levels of collection as he progresses up the training levels. Where correct work at training level places a horse's head is vastly different from where it places a horse's head at Prix St Georges.

If your trainer has a difficult time explaining these REALLY BASIC concepts there's a problem.

Spooksandbolts wrote:
blah, blah, blah, blah and the dog ate your homework and I can smell bovine excrement