Hi Virginia, Didn't you say you had Linda's new book? Look under tail work and you will get a great explanation. I remember in the mid 80's being at a symposium organized by Trail Blazer magazine (an endurance magazine) and Linda was there and Deb Bennett a couple of vets, a farrier and Peggy Cummings. It was the first time Deb had seen Linda do tailwork and she was amazed because she said she hadn't thought there was any way to influence the posture of a horse's back when the horse was standing still.
The tailwork influences the spine, the spinal fluid, the connection between the poll and the pelvis, horses with fear of things behind, preparing for temperature or rectal exams, influence the back muscles. If you can have someone do tailwork - there are lots of different ways you can work the tail and if you use the 'traction' on the tail (better than thinking pull because your really just want to support the tail and wait for the horse to lean against you) the slow release is the most important part - while you are sitting on the horse you will be amazed at what it does for the horse's back. I think you can have a connection to the horse with or without a bridle, not just with a sidepull. They are just different ways of having a connection. I think it is useful to learn to have a connection with the bit but first needs to come an independent seat and this is best achieved with the little or no rein contact or using a balance rein to help you rather than using the reins for balance. Just different points of view...... Robyn Icelandic Horse Farm Robyn Hood & Phil Pretty Vernon BC Canada www.icefarm.com --
