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People who bit their horses up?

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Jump to page : 		Last activity 2014-03-18 8:59 PM
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MO gal
Reg. Apr 2008
Posted 2014-03-18 2:17 PM
Subject: RE: People who bit their horses up?




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I think so many things get a bad rep because it is misused so much. People remember the bad things they hear more than the good things.
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wetsocks
Reg. Apr 2008
Posted 2014-03-18 7:02 PM
Subject: RE: People who bit their horses up?





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Location: Beneath the Cypress trees		I use side reins and a surcingle as a top line builder but I've never left a horse tied like that. I usually set him up without the side reins attached and lunge or round pen 5 minutes each way for warm up. Then I'll attach the side reins evenly to one of the middle rings on the surcingle. I want his head level at this point so that when he starts working he will reach for the bit and lengthen his stride. Then I'll start one way for 5 min., switch sides for another 5 min. before stopping to reassess whether I'm happy with his headset and movement or if I want to change it. Usually I'll tighten up one more ring and get a good working trot (never tight enough to get him behind the bit) on each side for 5 mins. Then I'll drop him back to the first rings and work him a few more minutes each side before taking off the side reins completely to allow him to fully stretch and cool off.

This does help with bit acceptance as well. I use the half elastic side reins so they mimic the ability of a rider to give slightly. It's an excellent muscle builder. Your best pace is a good working trot with lots of impulsion from behind where your horse is pushing himself up into the bit rather than ducking in to avoid the contact.

I wouldn't leave it on them, they won't understand how to use themselves properly that way. Without the give and take they'll actually learn to suck in and avoid contact that way rather than the more obvious fighting. You need to keep their body moving and their mind on working to achieve any lasting and desired effect.
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LeterBuck
Reg. Jun 2012
Posted 2014-03-18 8:17 PM
Subject: RE: People who bit their horses up?


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I hardly ever do but I feel like I get a better feel bitting them up by running split reins though my stirrups and then tie a square knot at the seat. Only a few minutes and keep them moving. Great pressure/release due to the weight of the stirrups.
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ride n slide
Reg. Aug 2007
Posted 2014-03-18 8:59 PM
Subject: RE: People who bit their horses up?



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KatieMac88 - 2014-03-16 7:59 PM I think if you tie their head all you're doing is teaching them to fight that pressure because there is NO release. You're much better off riding them or being on the ground and doing a pull and release when they give to you. This is what my boyfriend and I have always done and our horses all flex around great. They'll actually learn from that, versus being tied around and never getting a release. 

I disagree, but will say that if you tie them around too tight there is no release. They have to be tied around just enough so that there IS release when they give to it. And I never leave them more than 10 minutes each side if they are giving to it nicely.

We do this on 2 yr olds when we first break them but not on older horses who are soft and giving to pressure like they should. It's a great tool for young green horses to learn and understand where the pressure release is without having to pull on their face while on their back. And if they pitch a fit and fight it, they learn quickly where that pressure release is. If they take from you while on their back, you have to give in at a certain point or you will get hurt.

IMHO, so many horses that you see rooting the bit and not breaking at the poll like they should have neer been taught where the pressure release is. Actually they have learned that the pressure release is up and out instead of tucking and breaking. Usually because someone tried to do it on their back from the start and never got the horse to give to the bit and back off of the pressure.
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