thanks for your insight. that new German "ring" hackamore sans shank
looks rather interesting. Anyone tried it yet?

--- In bitlessbridle@yahoogroups.com, "Cathie Hatrick-Anderson"
<cathieanderson@...> wrote:
>
>
> --- In bitlessbridle@yahoogroups.com, "Dawn" <4sweet.feet@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi to all:
> >
> > I am a natural trimmer and recently have returned to padded boots
for
> Welcome Aboard! [:)]
> > riding only, based on some new research. My saddle of choice is a
> > Balance which my horse actually chose! So now...what's left but
to go
> > bitless on my 8 year old OTTB whom I began riding in July, 2006. I
> > trail ride over a gazillion acres of protected land, state parks
and
> > richie estates in Delaware...thus some interest in BRAKES!
> >
> > My first trial with the Dr. cook was not good...rearing,
tantrums. I
> > had been riding without any noseband previously and if I
understood
> > the directions correctly I have the noseband buckled lightly on
the
> > cartilage of the nose.
> >
> > So on the next try, I moved the Dr. Cook noseband higher so it was
> > definitely on the bone and not cartilage. For my tastes it is too
> > tight as I like to put two fingers in but its borrowed so I dare
not
> > add a hole. (Sunny actually has a smallish head so this tightness
is
> > curious) The buckle could have been rubbing and caused too much
pain
> on his lower jaw, since it may have been overtightened as well.
> >
> > The second response wasn't as violent, but any amount of pressure
> > (and trust me I default to riding on the buckle probably more
than I
> > should) lead to head tossing.
> Some horse respond like yours as a result of pressure they are not
> accustom to, in a totally different area. When I get a response like
> this, ie rooting, head tossing, pulling on my hands, whatever you
want
> to call it. I give a very sharp correction (quick half-halt, see
saw on
> the reins) essentially- I jerk back. I am saying to the
horse, "Listen,
> I am not pulling on you, don't pull on me."
>
> My own filly had that same reaction (head tossing) when I had first
> asked her to rein back, (she was only just started under saddle) she
> doesn't do it any more, only did it a couple of times then quit.
(she
> had never been ridden in a bit) Our new Oldenburg (trained to second
> level dressage- not by me) went excellent in the bitless, except for
> backing up. Now he didn't back up with the bit mind you when I test
rode
> him. So when he rooted under saddle, and really flung his head up
high
> when I tried it in the bitless, I did just as I desribed above, then
> waited for the slightest try, and rewarded with a immediate release
> I also did this from the ground, held the reins of the bitless,
> maintained steady pressure, which he just pushed into - I am told by
> many of my dressage clients "Dressage horses, are not supposed to
back
> up, till second or third level [:-?]
> So to help I also hold a rubber bat in front of his chest, and make
a
> motion for him to back up, as I am holding steady pressure on
reins, 1,
> 2, if he hasn't moved one step by the count of 3 he gets nailed
with
> the bat in his chest,(One tap) he then backs up, although he is a
little
> indignant, offended, surprised, becuase he was going to sleep
resting
> into the pressure [I-)] I release! I did this several times, now he
> backs like a charm! Under saddle too!
> >
> > This afternoon I tried a relaxed bareback walk looking for a
little
> > grass and there was no resistance on the few times I had any
contact.
> >
> > Up 'til now I have worked on the ground and mounted using the one
> > rein riding techniques of John Lyons and Alex Kurland(clicker)
using
> > a Happy Mouth French link in the winter and a KK French Link in
the
> > warm weather.
> >
> > I have not yet tried the padded noseband that attaches to the
check
> > straps and has rings for reins which someone lent me.
> >
> > Kindly advise on options and alternatives. I do need to ride in a
> > light frame from time to time for back development, but other than
> I do have very light contact when I ride those few horses that take
a
> few moments to "get it" I do many easy cirlcles, giving mini
releases
> for bringing their head in the direction I am turning.
> Good luck, I think youu will be fine
[:)]
> > that, I am happy for him to find his space. Except for the
occasional
> > leap/buck of joy, he is pretty calm leaving home and he knows
that he
> > must walk on the return...albeit pretty darn fast.
> >
> > Thanks in advance for any assistance, advise or insight. His teeth
> > have been done by a traditional dentist but I hope to see Spencer
> > LaFlure this spring if he comes to our area.
> >
>