Pony riders use western type bits for the same reason they use spurs. Bits and spurs are used to draw the horse's attention to a command from the rider and to get it to respond promptly to that command.
You apply pressure thru a bit to a horse's mouth. You hold that pressure just long for the pony to start responding, then you release it. I keep telling other riders, especially novices, the response will be quicker if the release is quicker. You don't wish to unnecessarily cause discomfort to your horse.
I take some pains over teaching a horse about responding to pressure with extended ground coaching employing a rope halter before I put a snaffle bit or western bit on him. I subject him to pressure on either side and teach him to bend (often referred to as flexion). I also teach him to yield his hindquarters, to simulate a rider's one rein stop as he gets into the saddle.
I've got a very effective technique, which has worked very well for me, with horses that I feel are sufficiently mature enough to start. I turn the horse out in a pen, preferably a round pen, after putting a side pull on him with a snaffle on it. I keep repeating this procedure over a spell of a day or two until I know they have got comfortable with it. This way, I get them used to a bridle and the bit without having them blow a gasket every time. The idea is to make them accept the bridle and bit as playthings, rather than work items or products that may cause them harm.
Once the horse is cosy, I repeat all of the ground work I had done earlier with the rope halter, except that the halter is replaced by the snaffle bit. I make certain the snaffle is of the smooth western type. The snaffle brings pressure to bear on different end points: you are now putting pressure on each side of the cheek, the bars in the mouth and the tongue instead of the nose. You have to be very cautious about staying very light with this procedure.
This way, I achieve my intention of getting my pony used to the idea I will use light bit pressure to communicate with him. I'm taking things easy, a step at a time, and reward him for every positive response to get his confidence up and make him aware he
You apply pressure thru a bit to a horse's mouth. You hold that pressure just long for the pony to start responding, then you release it. I keep telling other riders, especially novices, the response will be quicker if the release is quicker. You don't wish to unnecessarily cause discomfort to your horse.
I take some pains over teaching a horse about responding to pressure with extended ground coaching employing a rope halter before I put a snaffle bit or western bit on him. I subject him to pressure on either side and teach him to bend (often referred to as flexion). I also teach him to yield his hindquarters, to simulate a rider's one rein stop as he gets into the saddle.
I've got a very effective technique, which has worked very well for me, with horses that I feel are sufficiently mature enough to start. I turn the horse out in a pen, preferably a round pen, after putting a side pull on him with a snaffle on it. I keep repeating this procedure over a spell of a day or two until I know they have got comfortable with it. This way, I get them used to a bridle and the bit without having them blow a gasket every time. The idea is to make them accept the bridle and bit as playthings, rather than work items or products that may cause them harm.
Once the horse is cosy, I repeat all of the ground work I had done earlier with the rope halter, except that the halter is replaced by the snaffle bit. I make certain the snaffle is of the smooth western type. The snaffle brings pressure to bear on different end points: you are now putting pressure on each side of the cheek, the bars in the mouth and the tongue instead of the nose. You have to be very cautious about staying very light with this procedure.
This way, I achieve my intention of getting my pony used to the idea I will use light bit pressure to communicate with him. I'm taking things easy, a step at a time, and reward him for every positive response to get his confidence up and make him aware he
About the Author:
Horses are Heather
Toms passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers, like all things about riding hats
Toms passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers, like all things about riding hats
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