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Posts: 10751
Jul 28 09 3:45 PM
CassielFell wrote: SNowY49 wrote: I am lucky in that I board at a very large facilty with many different groups of riders doing very different things (barrel racing, western pleasure and HUS, eventing, dressage, Hunter/jumper, saddleseat) and I am able to see a variety of riding styles and examples of very good riding from each style. I tend not to judge based on whether someone has a Paint or a QH because I can see them do what they do best on a daily basis. That said, I do judge people who ride in bitless bridles. I know that some horses go better in them due to mouth conformation or general preference and I do know that it is possible to ride well and effectively in a bitless bridle (I've seen the videos online - very impressive)...BUT, in my experience, 9 out of 10 people who ride in a bitless bridle also own a horse that exhibits an extreme false ewe-neck and they trot around with zero contact (if riding English) and/or a giraffe head-set (English and western). The only conclusion I can draw from this observation is that there is a large population of people who purchase bitless bridles, not because it is best for their horse, but because they don't want to HURT their horse, and this desire is reflected not only in their choice of tack, but in their riding as well. So, in general, when I see someone with a bitless bridle, especially if their horse has humongous muscles hanging off the underside of his neck, I think: weak and wussy rider/horse owner. ....You don't associate with alot of Paso Fino people.. They're generally started bitless and aren't moved to a bit UNTIL they're carrying themselves correctly. And you even if you decide to ride them bitless after the fact.. you should still get the correct level of collection, impulsion from the rear.. flexion at the poll, etc. Nevermind the horses that compete in Bella Formas.. (collection and gait on long lines.. no bit involved) It ain't the bit that does or does not result in a finished horse.. it's the training and the skill of the rider. ETA: I'm talking about good trainers... at least everything I grew up with. Some people may do it differently but I kinda grew up around the "bridle horse" training of Pasos.. IE: Started bitless (bosal, training noseband w/bit hanger, jaquima, rope bridle)... Once the horse has proper carriage, suppleness, collection, understanding and willingness.. then he is moved to a snaffle or rubber bit.. and only when his training is considered "finished" he's moved to the spade bit.
SNowY49 wrote: I am lucky in that I board at a very large facilty with many different groups of riders doing very different things (barrel racing, western pleasure and HUS, eventing, dressage, Hunter/jumper, saddleseat) and I am able to see a variety of riding styles and examples of very good riding from each style. I tend not to judge based on whether someone has a Paint or a QH because I can see them do what they do best on a daily basis. That said, I do judge people who ride in bitless bridles. I know that some horses go better in them due to mouth conformation or general preference and I do know that it is possible to ride well and effectively in a bitless bridle (I've seen the videos online - very impressive)...BUT, in my experience, 9 out of 10 people who ride in a bitless bridle also own a horse that exhibits an extreme false ewe-neck and they trot around with zero contact (if riding English) and/or a giraffe head-set (English and western). The only conclusion I can draw from this observation is that there is a large population of people who purchase bitless bridles, not because it is best for their horse, but because they don't want to HURT their horse, and this desire is reflected not only in their choice of tack, but in their riding as well. So, in general, when I see someone with a bitless bridle, especially if their horse has humongous muscles hanging off the underside of his neck, I think: weak and wussy rider/horse owner.
EagleViewArabian wrote:What IS it with everyone freaking out about foals sliding back into the canal?!!!! THAT IS NORMAL! I promise you they will NOT get sucked into some big black vortex to never be seen again.
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