>>> Maybe the bit is harsh and the horse is light to avoid the pressure, so that coupled with not having to be a lesson horse anymore is changing how the horse is responding.
It could be...or it could be that the mare is perking up because she has a relaxed rider that she trusts and now knows what to expect. I bought my old QH horse because he was a safe, been-there, done-that kind of gelding that I could put anyone on, but after a few weeks here, he started relaxing, and seemed to like me...and I in turn really started liking him. It wasn't long before he was fairly willing to move out when I rode him, and I'm pretty sure it was simply because we meshed and bonded, not because of any harsh tack. He always seemed kind of lazy to other people, but I never had to nag him to keep moving, not after we meshed. This is why owning horses is so complicated. The same symptoms can reflect so many different things. You need to see the symptoms in context to truly grasp what's going on, and even then, it's often very hard. :) Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
