| The most common way to train, ride or drive a horse | | | | very little amounts of pressure. |
| is using a bit. But does "the most common" way mean | | | | Well, could you ride the horse with a halter? Sure - just |
| that this is the only way? Definitely not. People who | | | | does not look very stylish. |
| use their horses "California Style" or "Vaquero Style" | | | | You can either use a "Hackamore" or a "Bosal". I |
| do not use bits till the horse is considered finished. | | | | prefer the Bosal with it's Spanish look. If you have |
| I have heard over and over again, "the bit gives me | | | | prepared the horse in long-lines, this will be a breeze. |
| more control". I actually did see a post on a horse | | | | The simple trick is that you train the horse to react to |
| forum what bit to use with a halter to get "more | | | | the slightest pressure possible. |
| control". NONE for crying out loud. I will address the | | | | And this also gets you around several problems a bit |
| question of "Control" in a separate article - it is a very | | | | can cause. |
| important issue. | | | | If you are not a perfect rider with very steady hands, |
| I start every horse out in long-lines before I do anything | | | | you might apply pressure to the bit without wanting it - |
| else. This includes a surcingle, a halter and two long | | | | which is very uncomfortable for the horse and can get |
| lines. Naturally the first thing I need to train is a stop. | | | | the horse confused. When you start a horse out you |
| While the horse is on a slow walk I will give the | | | | will not get a perfect stop right away. So most of the |
| command "Whoa" - and stop walking with the horse. | | | | time you will apply more pressure. This can mean that |
| What happens? The horse walks into the lines and into | | | | the horse pays more attention to the pain than to you. |
| the halter - which applies pressure to the nose. As | | | | The biggest problem I have seen with bits is this. |
| soon as the horse stops I will release the pressure. | | | | People rely mainly on the bit - and the horse gets used |
| I have never worked a horse which did not figure out | | | | to it, but still does not stop. The next step is a bit with |
| within the first day that it was much more comfortable | | | | more leverage - and the cycle just starts all over. |
| to respond immediately to "Whoa" than to walk into | | | | When you train a horse without a bit you will have a |
| the lines and the halter. This accomplishes two things. | | | | very sensitive horse. When you have reached the |
| For one I establish the dominance of a voice | | | | level of training and riding that suits you - you can |
| command. And the horse also learns to respond to | | | | switch over to a bit, but it by then is just for looks. |