Well it’s about time. Awareness of the true needs of the horse may be entering the dressage arena.
See the petition to allow bitless bridles in rated competitions here.
Among top trainers supporting this cause is Frank Bell. I adore Frank Bell. Early in my natural horsemanship training, I got the opportunity to work with him. He derived the concept of “search touch” from Linda Tellington-Jones’ TTouch, and seems to have found a way to bond with horses very quickly. He’s a gentle, genuine man who cares deeply about horses and people. I like the 7 Step Safety System, and think it can help new adult riders (and young ones, too) get the most out of horseback riding without getting injured in the process.
Here’s a blog post by Equine Ink on the subject of bitless bridles. It’s very thorough.
In the meantime, I’d like to know your feelings on the implications for a change like this. What do you think?
Related links:
http://www.williammicklem.com/multibridle.html
© 2009 enlightened horsemanship through touch and Kim Cox Carneal
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I signed the petition. I’ve ridden my horses in all sorts of bitless headstalls, as well as bits. These are all tools and can be used well or badly. I see no reason not to allow showing in bitless headstalls.
THanks Simrat! You are right–there is really no real reason why not!
I am open to bitless apparel being used in dressage. However, I do want people, on the showgrounds, to be in control of their horse. Some people who use these are simply as clueless as those who use bits and cause just as many accidents. JMO.
Accidents caused by clueless people who can’t handle their horses happen regardless of the tack they use, as you point out. I don’t think that bitless bridles will increase the incidence.
You have an award here, come pick it up!
I am a bit behind on stuff 🙂 Have been trying to sort out and delete/move old entries and such. Will try to frame a reply over the weekend. And it’s back to school shopping… 😛
interesting. i will definitely sign the petition! i also would like to see this implemented. i would not, however, like to see it given any more preference than bitted riding, to see it replace bitted riding, or to become a referendum on bits and riding philosophies in general, which i fear could happen.
i know there are those who think bits are evil, and i just can’t get behind that – they have their place when used correctly, and i’d prefer to see people learn to use a bit correctly than to see horsemanship abandon them completely. i’d just like it to be an alternative for those horses that go better bitless, or maybe encouraged at lower levels to spare the horses from bad hands. what are the odds it would stay that way?
sorry, didn’t mean for that to become a rant!
jme:
it was not a rant:
‘they have their place when used correctly, and i’d prefer to see people learn to use a bit correctly than to see horsemanship abandon them completely. i’d just like it to be an alternative for those horses that go better bitless, or maybe encouraged at lower levels to spare the horses from bad hands.’
was reasoned and articulate and you made a great couple of points! It’s about saving that mouth and mind.
Unfortunately, people can abuse many different tools. I have seen abuse of people using the common rope halters that “natural” people favor.
In the hands of the uneducated, anything can become a weapon.
“in the hands of the uneducated, anything can become a weapon.” That says it all. I too have seen the humble rope halter used as a weapon. Indeed, when I was first taught to use one, it included this abuse, especially when asking a recalcitrant horse to back up. I look back on that with horror.
I was told by a Native American friend that this halters are called War Halters and not because they are used to go to war in.
People use them because they are a gimmick. Actually they apply far more pressure to the nose and are not suitable for crosstying. JMO.
About the War Halters thing: I know they are similar to war bridles in construction, but I think that may be the only similarity. They are quick to make up and made of natural materials, just like the traditional war bridle. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong.
I would love to see this implemented.
The recent change in being allowed to use a snaffle through GP in certain dressage shows was a good step, imo, and it feels like there might be a wave of change coming in general about things like this.
I sure hope so.
billie
Like I’ve said before, if you can’t do it in a snaffle, you shouldn’t do it!