My Introduction.

Hello. I am from Latvia, and my horse is kind of a mixed blood Latvian Warmblood gelding, currently four years of age (and a half).

I started riding when I was quite small, but not very seriously. Always dreamed of a horse, but never though I could really have one. And then, on my 16th birthday I got the best present ever - a nice, kind of rideable, darker chestnut mare. Happy was the summer I spent training with her over jumps, and riding in the woods and then... either something in her not-so-very-happy earlier years, or an unlucky sliding, but she became incurably lame. I was quite desperate, because I didn't have any relatives that could take a lame horse into a retirement home for free board, slaughterhouse was not an option (I was negatively surprised with the amount of people who suggest me THAT as a solution )... so I was stuck with riding other horses and just walking around with the mare....

of course, nobody did ride without bit - except riding to and back from the pasture (that was quite far) with only halter, bareback, holding another horse...

Then I was advised to breed her, what I did, and so my dream horse came into this world. until he was weaned, I managed to find a good retirement home for the mare, and I started my way to starting a young, black stallion.

While he was growing up, I did learn alot of new things - like that there are people who ride bitless, and even bridleless, and so, when the time came, I started my then already a gelding in a cavesson. attached reins on two side-rings, and off we went. Since there wasn't anybody who could teach me how to work in this bitless device, and my horse was the first one I ever rode bitless (don't count halter-riding fun thing), I was going ve-e-ery slowly. I was quite convinced I would have to change to a bit when trotting, as I thought I could not control him. Nope, was fine in the cavesson. Then I started to ride with a bit for a few times, and then changing back to cavesson, and again to bit, and I became convinced there was not too much difference in what was on his head - the "turns" and "brakes" were very equal. Then came canter - I started to ask canter from him, because he was offering me to canter - thus I believed he was balanced enough to canter...

Then I pushed him too much, because I wanted to start some hacking, at least to cool off in the hot summer through the nearby forest. I know I was asking too much, I was taking a risk, and he bolted, because I failed to notice that he was too scared and get off to lead him past the scary object, go back, and then ride. I was too cofident, and then he bolted - I experienced the most perfect wild gallop in my life - and I could not stop him. I was in the cavesson, and was not too sure what to do. Eventually I managed to turn his head and make him drop out of the rythm, and we slowed down, and went back.

At that moment I was perfectly sure it would have been much worse with the bit, because the panicky me would have definately caused more pain, more frustration for the horse with the bit...

No, I don't do Natural Horsemanship, just the plain traditional riding, only without a bit. I have not yet thrown away the bit, but I think it will accumulate a lot of dust in the future...

I'm the only one in my stable who rides bitless, and I'm kind of probably considered a bit crazy. Yes, we have some problems, but they don't come from not using the bit but my lack of riding skills. so, while the people look at we with a look of bewilderment, its not negative, I hope they will look at us and maybe try the "bitless thing" with their horses...

(pictures coming later, I hope)

Well hello there!

We have read your other posts and we finally get to meet you!

I am sure you will love it here and a big welcome from me!

Hi Renoo, I've not had time to check in here for a while so this is a belated welcome. What a story! It reads like the pony books I used to read when I was little! Look forward to seeing the pictures of your horse.

Hello Renoo,

Also aplopgies for the belated welcome

Welcome Renoo! I think I have talked to you in other conversations, but I didn't officially welcome you in here