Welcome All!
I just had to stick my two cents worth in for the new folks.....please, don't
give up ! keep
trying different things and keep asking if you are having trouble with the BB or
want to
learn more. I have a 4 year old 'green' Belgian who 'came with a bit' but i
wanted less 'tack'
to fumble with so i tried the BB...not at all with any sort of pre conceived
notions about bit
or no bit.....and i'm a new rider (about a year 1/2 now)....first i had to make
sure that the
BB was fitting correctly, then had to ask questions and finally got Cathie's DVD
to help me
out....and i was/am doing all this in a stable environment that is VERY pro bit/
pro spurs/
pro chain on nose when 'needed'....well i have to say that after a year....my
horse is one of
the calmest and best behaved at this stable and he does great in gaming shows
too!....as
far as 'fear' and 'control': i have never been afraid of my horse responses when
i use the BB
nor do i ever feel 'out of control'....I spend time 'de-spooking' ie. create
situations where
he will spook and if he 'moves' instead of freezing i 'spin him' (while i'm on
the ground I
make him move in a circle while i push his hip around) and he is now at the
point where he
'freezes' when spooked and i praise him ALOT. as far as any 'running away'
issues or fear
on trails or 'out-in-the open', i always know that i can do the one rein
emergency
stop...this i also practice often.....and i still have to 'get control' about a
half hour into my
lessons when he decides it's time to go to the barn...and i want to turn one way
and he
goes the other....in that case, I go back to simple things like trotting along
the rail etc....ie.
training things 'we' can both succeed at....and eventually he understands that
i'm the rider
and he's the horse :):):)....PS. I just got a new 'small' horse who has been
trained as a reiner
with a bit....and so i'm starting with the BB...talk about frustrating! whenever
i go to turn,
he stops!....so we are working through this...but i'm not giving up no matter
how long it
takes...he has a sweet personality and i don't want him to loose that with the
bit....Thanks
for letting me ramble! take care, alix