Equine Affaire's Versatile Horse and Rider Contest
2011 Ruger and Cathie 11th place,missed top ten by one spot!
Backing through the maze.
Photo by Lauren Peck
2010 - Ruger and Cathie placed
12th out of a field of 30 riders. ( He was the youngest horse
entered)
2009 Ruger and Cathie placed
21st out of a field of 30 Ruger was the youngest horse
entered- Cathie and Cachina placed 22nd.
2008 Dicaprio and Cathie placed
last, we were just shy of the time limit causing
disqualification.
(He still did his best as a former dressage
horse with "baggage" he really made me proud!)
2007 the First Annual "VHRC"
Cachina and I placed 11th out of a field of 30, in my mind and
many others she had a top ten ride!
Equine Affaire 2005
West Springfield, MA
Dr. Cook’sBitless
Bridle Presentation at Equine Affaire 2005
Less is More: Horses and
riders prefer a bridle with a bit missing
 The
bleachers continually filled as Dr. Cook began his lecture on
the effects of bit use, in the Mallory Demo Ring at the New
England Equine Affaire on Saturday. As a lovely black and white
paint, Cachina, stood almost snoozing with her owner and
trainer, Cathie Hatrick-Anderson, Dr. Cook began to go through
his long list of issues related to the use of bits, and the
benefits of riding with the Bitless Bridle.
Dr. Robert Cook is a renowned veterinarian
and author, who has been on the faculty of clinical departments
in schools of veterinary medicine in the US and the UK,
including Professor of Surgery at Tufts University here in
Massachusetts. His book “Metal in the Mouth; the Abusive Effects
of Bitted Bridles” is filled with information from his research
of bit use. While Dr. Cook explained that the horses mouth is
one of the most sensitive parts of its body, Kiersten, an
assistant passed around 2 skulls; one of a pony that had never
had a bit in its mouth, and one of a horse that had regular
bitted bridle use. On the bitted horse, you could see bone spurs
that had developed along the bars where the bit had lain.
He explained how pressure from a bit, not
only, but especially in the wrong hands, is not just
uncomfortable for the horse, but also interferes with the
natural process between the breathing and eating mechanisms of
the horses’ airway from their nostrils and mouth. The salivating
and chewing that a horse does with a bit is an eating response.
Yet, when a horse is being asked to exercise, it needs to use
its airway in response to the exercise. It cannot, and should
not be asked, to eat and run at the same time.
 Hands
from audience members persistently raised as the doctor asked
for responses to a list of behavioral problems that any had
experienced with their horses. He explained that many of these
problems were due to horses anticipating pain and discomfort
they experienced from the bit. A horse cannot “think” when it
experiences fear, and therefore exhibits such behavior as
bolting, rearing, head shaking, and so on. Eliminating the pain
in the mouth, and subsequently, the fear of the pain, makes the
horse not only more comfortable and healthy, but ultimately a
more willing partner and student.
Dr. Cook went on to explain the mechanics of
the Bitless Bridle, while Cathie and Cachina demonstrated easy
and willing flexion, and responsiveness to rein work. Dr. Cook
explained that the bridle worked by using steady pressure on the
sides of the horse’s head to direct her with a painless yet
persistent “hug.” Steering, slowing and stopping were effortless
and smooth. Cachina’s headset and neck flexion was naturally
relaxed, as opposed to the exaggerated poll flexion, where you
see spit flying and swishing tails; all a reaction to lack of
oxygen in the horse’s airway. The pair demonstrated these
exercise at both a walk and trot, in the smallest of demo rings
with Dr. Cook and his assistant standing alongside. Cathie
informed the audience that her mare had never been in a setting
like the one that day, and it was impressive to see her so
relaxed, responsive, and content.
After a 45-minute informative lecture, and
some questions from the audience, a crowd moved to an outdoor
ring where Cathie and Cachina were able to demonstrate on a
larger scale. The audience could see the bitless bridle in some
larger scale work and Dr. Cook answered more questions. It was
interesting to watch as they worked on speed control, steering
and other flat work in a ring with other horses and riders at
work. Cachina was a willing and obviously relaxed partner,
responding to whatever Cathie asked, familiar or not, and was
nothing short of successful.
 There
was a lot of concentrated interest from audience members. The
information Dr. Cook shared from his many years of research and
work certainly had an impact on the participants in his clinic.
The idea of taking the bit out of their horse’s mouth may have
been an idea that some anticipated being a hard sell, but the
facts presented were simply too astonishingly real to deny. In a
circuit where so many rely on the old and familiar, it will be
interesting to see where Dr. Cook’s evidence of the harm that
bits cause will lead the horse industry.
For more information you can visit his
website athttp://www.bitlessbridle.com
Article written by Judy Paglia
Dec 2005 - Dr Cook appointed Cathie as his
first BBI (Bitless Bridle Instructor) in the United States and
abroad. Don't forget to mention my name Cathie Hatrick-
Anderson, and my BBI number ( 001 ) when ordering your bitless
bridle!
Cathie rode Renegade's Zeus in the North
American Spotted Draft breed demonstration.
The bitless bridle works no matter what size your horse is...
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