My Horse Ain't No Einstein, Ma'am.

Remember math class as a youngster?  Everyday's lesson built on the lesson before.  Teachers (good teachers) know that incremental learning helps to build skills that are solid.  Skills that can be expanded and explored.  Teachers do this so students can progress and move onto subjects like algebra and--oh, I don't know--quantum physics.

We see it in every profession, not just in the schools.  The "it" I am referring to are the fundamentals.  Homes are built on good foundations.  Great musicians have a deep and vast understanding of all types of music--another great example of fundamental understanding.  Similarly, responsiveness in horses is also achieved through the same fundamentals.

Foundation building takes time, repetition and patience.  Seems simple, right? Wrong.  As a society, we tend to rush into everything.  From new trends to quick fixes.  This line of thinking can sometimes lead to holes in training.  Rather than go back and review the basics, we look for quick fixes to remedy the quagmire we've gotten ourselves into.  We say go back to square one.  Find out what day you and your horse played hooky on and do some make up work.

Consider this, horses are not that different from people when it comes to focus.  They rush.  Every horseman's who's ever had a horse can tell you that a barn sour horse is one that's in a serious rush to get home.  They fight the bit, they have high head carriage and they aren't  balanced...all negative movements that result from poor choices either by the horse, or by the rider or by both. Schooling your horse in the basics with the mildest bit you can, over time, results in a more responsive and consistent horse later on.  Schooling not only teaches your horse new skills that can be built upon later, but it also prevents problems later on as well.  Hopefully, at this stage of the game, the rider has also resolved the importance of their own education.

Plain O-Ring Snaffle Bit from as low as $7.49 from  http://www.NorthernTack.com

As  tack store owners, we hear a litany of reasons why Joe Rider is looking for a bit with more bite for old Bucky.  We're frank.  Bucky may need a new bit, but it just might be a plain o-ring snaffle and more training.  If you horse doesn't "whoa" on a lunge line, why would he "whoa" in an arena with the distractions of loud music, the noise of the crowd, and all the new smells he is going to encounter? You've heard the old adage about horses being afraid of two things, things that move and things that don't.  Truer words...

The same argument can be made with respect to collection.  A collected horse (read more about collection here) is a horse that is accepting and responsive to the rider's cues.  If your horse is hollowed out, throwing his head, and heavy on the front end, he's not responsive and/or the rider isn't giving the proper cues.  Achieving collection isn't going to happen by escalating from bit to bit.  It is achieved through proper training for both the horse and the rider.  I've seen plenty of horses ride with perfect collection in nothing more than a rope halter.  It can be done. Watch Stacy Westfall's famous 2006 Championship run on youtube.  No bit.  Beautifully executed routine.



If either one of these horses sound like your own, instead of buying a new bit with more "bite", why not consider schooling again?  Go back to the basics.  Go back to the arena with a trainer who might be able to pinpoint when and where things went awry for you and offer suggestions to correct it.  Many times, negative habits can be turned around with just several positive sessions and a good snaffle bit.  Other times, maybe a different bit is more appropriate or preferred by your horse.  You both have to be comfortable.

Northern Tack has a great selection of bits.  More importantly, we're committed to helping you pick out one that will work for you and your horse by discussing your needs.  You can call us toll-free at 855-667-8225 and we can discuss bitting options for you along with some suggestions that will have your horse doing arithmetic in no time.