Bitless Horse Association
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Just goes to show....

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FlorayG
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Post by Jo Wed Jul 08, 2009 6:20 am

I had to share this with you Exclamation . As well as owning Trelawny I look after 2 ponies and a retired hunter. The ponies are fairly new additions to the family, Ginger came to us in the winter, and Lucy joined the family about 2 months ago.
Lucy is a 12 year old pure bred Dartmoor, approx 12hh, and built like a tank. She was broken in using traditional methods and has always been used as a ride/drive pony. She has had a snaffle bit plus all the gadgets and gizmos such as a running martingale, blinkers for driving and so on. She was bought for my friends grandchildren to ride after her previously owned passed away.
Anyway, I decided to ride Trelawny last night and was going to lead Lucy out (she desperately needs to lose a bit of weight) when my partner piped up that he would ride her out with me. He's not a heavy chap or overlly tall so I figured Lucy would be able to take him.
Now Brett can have a bit of an ego so said he would ride her bare back - which is fine - I would ride T bareback anyway - and I decided to put her in an indian bosal which she has only had on for 10 minutes previously. I wasnt sure how he would be with her mouth as he hasnt ridden for 26 years - and has never had lessons - his idea of riding was to fall out of the pub on a Sunday lunchtime and go out on the trekking ponies for the afternoon with his mates! - I didnt want him to hurt her mouth.
So anyway - I dont think (apart from me jumping on her the other night) Lucy has ever been ridden bareback - and because she is a barrel shaped at the moment its pretty difficult to stay balanced, and I swear I havent used a show sheen on her - but she is very silky and slippery as well!
Lucy is a very forgiving pony. She carried Brett up through the woods, over the hill and back again and he only nearly fell off a few times! But the point of my story is this - Lucy took to the bosal with great ease. This is a mare who has had all sorts of tack forced upon her in her time and she got on with the job as if she had worn a bitless her whole life.
Coming down the hill on the way home I happened to glance behind and saw them both following on behind as if they had been born to it. And when she took the lead down a very steep narrow bit they remained dignified and in control the whole time - even when Trelawny ran up her backside because he couldnt stop in time - even though he is 5 now he is still a clutz - (I have to get off at this bit because the trees are too low - and its also too narrow for me to lead him so I always let him make his own way down and he waits for me at the bottom).
When we got home, I happened to see my friend who was greatly surprised to see that his mare had gone out bitless - and even more surprised to hear that Brett hadnt fallen off!
There are two things I think are relevent to this story - one is that Lucy, although a very forward going little mare, is not a stresshead and took to the bosal very quickly - but also Bretts confidence obviously effected her - he didnt worry that she didnt have a bit in her mouth (or a saddle for that matter) - he just got on with it - and I think that a lot of problems about converting to bitless are human ones - and not the horse.
It was so funny watching them I had to share it with you - sorry its a long one! Smile
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Post by HorseHippie Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:09 am

Very Happy Great story! Very heartwarming!
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Post by FlorayG Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:53 pm

Funny you should say that just now. I took out a couple of young friends on my horses last week. They are both 20 years old, she rode a bit as a kid and he never rode before. I showed them how to communicate and told them just to be sure what they want and to be the horses friend. I told him that Kitty needs constant reassurance and her that Dancing WILL run off with her, and not to worry, just turn round when you have the space. They were amazing. Within ten minutes they were both cantering up and down the bridleway - I had to walk - and doing turns on the haunches and everything. as you say - just goes to show - they believed what I told them and it worked!
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Post by Cyndi Fri Jul 10, 2009 7:40 pm

It's so nice to hear positive stories like both of yours!!
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Post by Sydney Sun Jul 12, 2009 7:35 am

That is so great. What a wonderful story.

I did a Sikh wedding the other weekend with Indigo. The groom that had to ride her had never touched a horse in her life. We had a guy beating on a drum like mad and 200+ people singing and dancing behind us as I lead her and him. He was nervous at first but relaxed and just sat there. Someone commented after "aren't horses supposed to have those things in their mouthes when you ride them?" I laughed and said no way!

Here's a picture.
Just goes to show.... Indigo10
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Post by bohohorse Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:13 am

Awesome story Jo Smile yes I agree that when the rider doesn't think there will be a problem... funnily enough... there isn't! Similar thing happened to me once when a friend had a part Hackney she was preparing to sell and said we could ride him when we wanted. I plopped my (inexperienced) husband on board and we went up the hill and had a whale of a time. However the horse fidgeted with his bit constantly. So the next time, I put Z's Dr Cook on him. Off he went, happy as larry, no problem to control and no fidgeting!

Great pics Sydney - what a star Indigo is cheers
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Post by joskt0204 Sun Jul 12, 2009 5:43 pm

I had a ride yesterday that was the BEST example of that. We rode on a friend's farm, gathered steers, and let the horses play in the pond. One rider was a 17-year-old girl who hasn't ridden since she was 12, until she adopted an OTTB in May. This horse was racing in April and hadn't been off their property. The teenager was absolutely confident that she had bonded to this mare, and that the mare would handle things fine. Well, she did! She cantered nice and slow, chased steers, pawed in the pond, and generally looked like an old pro at the whole thing! I told the step-mom, who isn't all that horsey, not to let some trainer mess them up. It was so cool. Technique is good, but having confidence and a partnership can go a long way.

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Post by Cyndi Mon Jul 13, 2009 8:12 am

What a cool experience for you and Indigo, Sydney!!! Great picture! Way to go Indigo, by staying "calm, cool, and collected"!

Great story from you too "joskt" Smile I hope this young lady continues to do so well with her horse!
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