I
usually get on a colt during the first visit, assuming he has basic
ground manners in place. The youngster should respect his handlers
space. He should show a willingness to respond to basic commands and
cues: walk, trot, back, step over and whoa. He should be responsive in
hand or on a longe line. If he has not mastered these skills, we'll
start with the Kindergarten class.
Using
advance and retreat, not force or fear, I'll introduce your
youngster to pad, saddle, driving lines and then myself. This is usually
accomplished in one hour. Using my time tested methods, your youngster
will be
a cooperative partner. I have yet to have a first
ride buck.
"Between the rider and the ground is the grace of God."
These first
lessons will set the foundation for all of his future training. The most
important thing you can do for yourself and your horse is to make these
formative rides a pleasurable experience. You want a horse that goes
forward nicely; one that will be happy in whatever discipline you have
planned for him.
Click on the testimonial section to see
some pictures of horses going bitless for their first ride.
I choose to start horses bitless for safety and control and a good first
experience under saddle for the horse and myself. Yes, I said "SAFETY
AND CONTROL"
I believe we have all been brought up believing a bit = control. This is
simply not true, unless your horse is schooled to the highest level of
dressage and you have incredible hands, (In a fairy tale I picture true
harmony). The truth however, is what I normally see. A horse that is
over flexed his slobbering, flaring nostrils indicative of a horse
straining to breath, with his swishing tail showing further evidence of
his displeasure that is beyond agitation. I have to say there is nothing
more spectacular than a well executed piaffe. Unfortunately it's hard to
look at the beauty without seeing the pain.
If you choose to ride your horse in a bit, that is your decision, but
your youngsters first introduction to his first ride should not be any
more confusing than it has to be. As he understands and accepts his
first handful of rides and his new job, adding the bit later would be
safer for horse and rider. Even though I choose to ride bitless I would
hate to think of any of my horses being started in a bit by someone with
unforgiving harsh hands, should they ever end up somewhere else, (I know
I am not promised tomorrow). So I will teach them to go in a snaffle
bit.
A young horse doesn't understand giving to the bit as a natural
reaction, so when frightened by his first rider, then grabbed by the
riders hands, a horse is likely to explode from the pain. His first
reaction is to flee from pain and bolt, he may also freeze then when
pressed to go forward, explode with bucking, till he escapes the source
of that pain. There is no need for creating this bad taste in their
mouth for their new lot in life. Not just the bit, but the fear and pain
of the whole experience. Once the horse understands basic cues then we
can gradually teach him to accept the bit with the least pain possible.
I rode with bits for years, and really didn't think twice about the pain
I caused because I didn't have the knowledge to teach my mount what I
wanted without resorting to grabbing on their mouth. I am still amazed
at what horse's will do for us, how many will tolerate a bit in soft
hands with no complaints. I also still cringe when I see horses with
severe bits, tie downs, nose bands, in unforgiving hands all because
they haven't accepted the bit. Change doesn't come easy, I'm not judging
just trying to make things better for the horses we love.
