Ask the Expert: Bit-less riding tips for control and safety

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• published: 15 Sep 2015
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Hi, I’m Caroline Rider of Rider Horsemanship. This month’s Holistic Horse “Ask the Expert” Q&A; is about riding bit-less with control and safety. This month’s viewer asks “I have been practicing natural horsemanship exercises on the ground with my horse and I would like to take that connection to riding in the halter and lead. I’m not sure how to begin and will I have the control and safety I’m use to when riding with a bit?” Yes! You can have just as much safety with a rope halter and lead rope as you can with a bit. Safety and control are as much about technique as they are about training. The biggest mistake most horse owners make is they think technique will save them. Sometimes it does and I’ve ridden many a horse that knew how to bend to a stop, immediately and from a canter. And, when they felt threatened, scared, their prey instincts kicked in and took over. The level of adrenaline out-weighed any and all technique. And, I’ve worked with horses long enough to instill a solid foundation of knowledge, education and relationship. This is what has saved us and prevented accidents. In the end, it is the mindset of your horse and the level of emotional and mental engagement that keeps them tuned into you and on a powerful level. Friendship, love and partnership – willing cooperation, are the keys to riding bit-less, bareback and bridle-less with control and safety. This video covers 5 main techniques to developing, and improving, body control and safety. It also discusses the level and quality of training necessary to ride bit-less and/or bareback with control and safety. The following 5 areas, and techniques, are discussed. The order of each is important as they are designed to be building blocks for the next to follow. 1) Mounting: The quality of your mounting is in your mount Does your horse stand still? Are they relaxed yet attentive? The importance and value of CONTACT: This is where you teach your hands to ask your horse to follow a ‘feel” and/or a contact – not fight it. And, where your horse learns to accept the contact, become responsive and relaxed, not stressed, resistant, defensive. 2) Vertical Flexion: Is about asking your horse to “break” at their pole and shoulders/wither area. This aids in softening and relaxing your horse’s topline so that their movement is fluid, smooth. 3) Lateral Flexion: Is about asking your horse to “break” at the pole FIRST, then the middle of the neck. Breaking at the pole aids in softening and relaxing your horse’s topline and both aid in developing the “bend to a stop” or “emergency stop.” 4) Back up: You need a good mount and responsive and relaxed flexion for the back up to be effortless – without tension, resistance. 5) Hind-end Control – Disengaging the hind end: This technique takes the power away from your horse’s “engine” and/or hind legs. The following DVD’s explain in more detail Caroline’s method and ground exercises to developing a trusting, confident and willing horse: Ground Exercises to Improve Connection and Partnership DVD: http://www.shoppingcartdepot.com/c/RH-2011/products/DVD-Vol1-DVD2/7l7V707k7Z2 Lunging with a Purpose DVD: http://www.shoppingcartdepot.com/c/RH-2011/products/DVD-Single-Lunging/7w7d7Y7z7O4 Riding as One with Your Horse DVD: http://www.shoppingcartdepot.com/c/RH-2011/products/DVD-Vol1-DVD3/7l7V707k7Z2 For more information, please visit: www.riderhorsemanship.com