Bitless, Phillipe Karl and Ken Faulkner

[FFAQ]

Hi everyone,

Apologies if this becomes a bit rambly!

I have a 5 y/o irish cob called Barny and I'm a bit stuck as to how to proceed with him. I've had him since he was nearly 3 and I've lightly backed him myself using a Dr Cooks bitless bridle as he has wolf teeth. He's incredibly good natured and laid back, and I don't see the point in having his wolf teeth removed if it's not necessary.

However, I want to be the best and gentlest possible rider I can for him, encouraging him to move his body in ways that will best benefit him under the saddle. As he is barefoot I feel that long distance riding will really help keep those feet healthy and keep us both fit. But, I have spoken to several people and they say that dressage is especially important to keep a horse healthy. That's not a problem in itself, but I was talking to a lady who teaches Phillipe Karl dressage and she said that eventually we will need a bit because the mouthing caused by the bit creates a better connection between the brain and the feet. Without this connection she believes it's impossible to truly get the hindquarters engaged. Interestingly, this lady has done the bitless, barefoot and western route and has returned to the bit believing that it's really the only way.

I also went to see a Ken Faulkner demo a couple of weeks ago and was very impressed. He seemed to be getting the horse to connect itself!

So I guess I want to know which way to go. Should I go down the Ken Faulkner route? Does that method truly get the horse using himself in the most beneficial way (provided I get it right)? Or should I go down the PK route? I'm a bit caught in the headlights at the moment! I want to choose something and stick to it, even if it's bits of both methods, because Barny's young and I don't want to confuse him, and because I will be learning whatever we do and I don't want to confuse myself!

Thank you if you read all of this! Thoughts welcome!!

 

[canteron]

I had a horse who was similarly sensitive in the mouth. I did study the PK route a lot and learnt a huge amount from it. The whole idea of giving your horse absolute confidence in its mouth worked for us as an absolute principal and also being able to move the head left, right, up and down from the lightest of aids was also essential for being very light on the mouth.

However, I did find that PK takes a lot of the biomechanics work of the rider as read, so I then studied under a classical rider, who really got me sitting pretty well and understanding the impact of my seat on getting the horse light and forward and also understood the concept of never ever being heavy in your hand. In fact that classical trainer got me using an independent seat, which meant that I could be light with my hands.

So in answer, its your horse, take from everywhere - but try to be consistent within that, if that makes sense. I think your initial instinct of wanting to ride in a gentle but effective manner will take you down an interesting learning path but the trick is to be open minded and then choose who has the information for that bit of your journey wisely! (i.e. I found that I had to travel quite a distance for good quality classical teaching, but then 1 lesson a month gave me enough to work on).

(and I hate to say it, I even looked at the Parelli and even though I didn't follow it through, I took some of their thoughts on being absolutely in control of where each foot was at any point and getting the horse to understand moving from a very light touch gave me the next step in the early days.)

 

[Jo1987]

Your horse is lucky to have you. I would say to do more research, and more and more! There are not just those two options, I believe that it's very possible to have the horse use his hindquarters without a bit. Why wouldn't it be? My horse responds far more to my seat and how I carry myself than anything I do with my hands.
I am not 'anti bit' by any means, but if you can avoid using one and use a simple bitless bridle instead then I think your horse will appreciate it.

 

[Cortez]

You probably won't like this, but what happens if you ever have to sell your horse? If he's ever to be ridden by a conventional rider he will be in a lot of trouble.

 

[planete]

Before you make a decision, bear in mind that the Ken Faulkner method is more compatible with western riding than a classical outline.

Having wolf teeth removed is not a big deal usually and can be done quickly under standing sedation. Whatever you choose, do your research, read and watch as much as you can so you understand exactly the aims and methods. Then go and watch possible trainers until you are satisfied their ethics, methods and results are right for you and your horse. It can be a fascinating journey but it is rife with pitfalls.

I went your route, bit less, natural horsemanship then classical. My horse (Lipi/Arab) has always hated 'hand-riding' and yes he is with me till he dies as very few people could ride him unless they have travelled the same route and developed the same reliance on pure body language. He gets on best with high-level western riders!

 

[FFAQ]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone! Cortez, that exact thought has occurred to me too! Although I plan to have my horses for the rest of their lives, I suppose we can never know for sure can we?
Hm, lots of research and thinking to do! For now, I am just trying to get him moving forward and to be happy mooching around the lanes. We see the dentist around November time so I might have a chat with him about it too.

I quite like a lot of the western riding that I've seen, and my hand reared horse seems to respond much more positively to western-style riding than to English, whereas my arab seems to be the other way round! I guess I just need to experiment with Barny a bit and see what he prefers!!