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Ok, so I have only just seen the latest parelli debate start, but after I read this website - so not trying for more debate!
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I read this (after doing a google to find out how to teach your horse spanish walk - don't ask!) and just wondered what you would think. Its quite long, but interesting and some of the problems it 'claims' to solve occur in all my horses - and the theory makes sense too (about eating and galloping at the same time).

So do you think its worth trying out, or has anyone done this/doing this and it has/hasn't worked - let me know!
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http://www.bitlessbridle.com/

PS i do not do parelli, I am your average whip toting sj'er/eventer who does not throw balls at her horse (unless he's being very bad!)
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People tend to get confused about Parelli and think that one thing it is about is riding bitless - it isn't. At around the end of level 2 the riders are supposed to reintroduce the bit. As they advance they are encouraged to be even more cowboy and progress to curb bits. It's all about training the person to have the right hands, and giving the horse the right training too.
Having said that, if you fancy having a go at bitless, why not? It would certainly be safer if you have some softness in your horse, an easy flexion in the neck, and are able to disengage the hindquarters to a halt easily (just in case you need a bit of emergency stop).
Personally, I don't think there is much point in riding in a pressure bridle like the Dr Cook, I'd rather use something that doesn't have a closing action, like a sidepull or rope halter/hackamore for example. I have a very nice riding halter from Lodge Ropes (Google - they are in Aus), but I have put some training into my horse to get him so that is safe. I am riding bitless because he was heavy in the bit when I brought him, he's much softer now. Ideally I will plan to be able to go bitted or bitless.
Er, anything else... well, a lot of people in the UK ride in Dr Cooks with a constant and fairly firm contact. They aren't designed to be used like that imho, they are a tool of pressure and release. That means for full effect you would need to ride on a casual rein. When I saw Dr Cook bridles on sale in Aus this was all clearly explained in a leaflet that was provided with them.
 
My friend has ridden her horse in a dr cook 4 a year but she only hacked out and had a few lessons. She now wants to progress her schooling and found she couldn't flex horse or give enough aids as needed with th ebridle. She has now started schooling in a myler and hack out in the dr cook. I suppose it depends on what you want to do in the bridle. You obviously can't compete dressage/ showing etc but ok for hacking. I tried it with my pony who leans on the bit and she thought it was great....lean on the nose and I don't have to support myself...etc etc and went very hollow. Hop this is of help?!
 
Yes, what you are saying is very relevant. You are describing what happens when people go bitless with a horse that needs more training first. They shouldn't get hollow, inflexible or lean, but you have to teach them that. I would find it hard to do that teaching using the Dr Cook, I would do it in a rope halter... but then I wouldn't bother using a Dr Cook at all.
With my horse who was leaning on a waterford snaffle (!), I had to go back to groundwork first, teaching him to be light and not lean in the halter. Then repeat that as necessary when on-board. You need to be consistent in your expectations of lightness, and be prepared to insist if needed. I'm happier doing that stage of training without anything in the mouth to be honest.
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Thanks for the feedback, not sure if maybe it will be for the younger one (who competes) but maybe think it could be useful for the elderly 'happy hacker' horses.
One of those always tilts his head and chomps, and no amount of bit changing has changed that over the 14 years we've had him - may be a good thing for him, as never gets ridden in a contact as that seems to stress him more and he isn't strong. Tilts his head and chomps, and by the end of a hack tries to rub his nose on his leg, and strikes out in front. Which sounded like some of the bit 'problems' they described on the website.

Everything has been checked with him - think he still hasn't got over the bad treatment he recieved as a youngster - plus he's a bit weird, had him checked to see if he was a rig he's that 'quirky' if you can call him that!!
Lovely pony, and only had him so long as he proved unsellable - we're far too honest.....
 
Oh, I should point out that this pony was used as a demonstration horse in a natural horsemanship display at a show. He will not, ever, walk over a trotting pole, and was funny watching a guy trying to get him to do in an arena - still didn't by the end though - although he did learn that a clicker = treats
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For the horse that rubs its nose. Have you tried a nose net? It MAY be a form of headshaking and nose nets work well with this generally.No one knows why.
 
Nose net could be good...... Think I would like to try a halter/bitless bridle first as he is fussy with his mouth (although practically puts the bridle in himself). Would try a net if this didn't work though. Thanks for the idea
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As with so many things to do with horses, there are people who swear bitless bridles such as Dr Cook are the way forward, and others who say the opposite! I suppose the way I see it is that you know your horse better than anyone and if you think it might help with any issues he might have, then it's worth a go. Any piece of tack, incorrectly used, will hurt a horse.
 
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Oh, I should point out that this pony was used as a demonstration horse in a natural horsemanship display at a show. He will not, ever, walk over a trotting pole, and was funny watching a guy trying to get him to do in an arena - still didn't by the end though - although he did learn that a clicker = treats

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Do you mean he learnt clicker and treats from the NH trainer? Because I've never met one who does clicker training.
I was at Gawlor show with my friend, who is a very good "natural" trainer, and he set up a tape pen off his trailer and did demos throughout the day. (Particularly well-received by the dressage people, which was interesting). Anyway, a clicker lady asked to borrow his pen for her demo, and of course he said yes. She was... searching for the word... pathetic. I did say to my friend after that he needs to be careful about that sort of thing, people could have thought she was something to do with him.
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Anyway, good luck if you decide to have a go bitless.
 
I met 3 endurance riders when I was out on a hack and they all had Dr Cook bitless bridles. I asked about them & I borrowed one off someone but I found my girl didn't flex as well. I know a lot of people swear by them and if I'm honest I only tried it twice before giving it back.
 
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