I think we’re on the “right lead” when the horse show industry seeks to strengthen sport horse welfare and to safeguard the public image of horse competition – our “social license to operate”.
What are the keys to a light mouthed horse? Before heading to the tack store for a different bit, ask yourself these questions…
“Should I try another bit?”
In watching hundreds of horse and rider conversations, I’m convinced that the bit operator- the hands at the other end of the reins have the most dramatic effect in achieving the light mouthed horse. Here are my 5 most common bit operator errors and suggestions to improve communication with the hands at the other end of the reins:
“Should I try another bit?”
In some cases, a bit change for your horse is the magic bullet. But rarely. Often, there’s something else overshadowing a bit issue. In watching hundreds of horse and rider conversations, I’m convinced that the hands at the other end of the reins have the most dramatic effect in achieving the light-mouthed horse.
I love when horses seem to “hunt” the trail obstacles – bridges, water boxes or tarps. Checking out the footing. How solid is the foundation? Logically, a horse, unlike his rider, doesn’t have this information at the outset. He has to test it…by faith.
Whether you compete or ride for fun, keeping your horse mentally happy is better than trying to cure a horse gone sour.
I see it in the show ring as a judge. As competitors we’ve ALL been there – horse digs in his toes at the trail bridge, stalls on approach to a jump or balks to enter the ring altogether. Why do horses get ‘stuck”? What are some doable solutions?
What a treat to share a presentation for the International Society of Equitation Science this week.
My topic : how put the science of equine research , evidence based and ethical horse training, into practice – coaching riders, teaching horses and getting them ready for the ring – whatever ring they’re prepping for – western, hunter, dressage or over obstacles.
Race track whip rules have been written and revised, swayed by the court of public opinion and the advocacy of welfare groups. I’ve got nothing against the use of artificial aids – applied within a system and with timing a horse understands. But this research from equitation scientists, asked this interesting question about whip use on the race track…“Does it actually work?” Do whips make race horses run faster?
Humans show pain through facial expressions. These have been coded and used to assess the discomfort of patients who can’t communicate their suffering in other ways. Now the Horse Grimace Scale has been developed. Help to guide trainers, owners and vets in the determination of equine pain and its care…