>>>> Very good point! Spade bits for instance are supposed to be the most severe, but in good, light hands they are an excellent tool. I couldn't see my self using one! I'm far too ham-handed!
Same here - I'm a less is more kind of person where tack is concerned, both based on principle and on my personal limitations. That's an idea - I know some clinicians make excuses for their harsh tack by saying that only "educated riders" can use the strong bit (side reins, draw reins, spurs, whatever) implying of course that THEY are one of the "educated few." I think we should all insist that they show us what they can do with the simplest of tack - maybe not all the way down to bridleless, but at least in the mildest bit or in a side pull. Preferably doing something that requires skill, not just zooming around a track out of control. It wasn't until after we had committed to buy Skjoni (but before he came home) that I noticed a picture of Christine Schwartz riding him on the for sale page with just a neck rope. Obviously, we bought him without considering that detail, but it was nice reassurance after we bought him. Sometimes Skjoni's bridle is a Freedom bridle from Moss Rock Endurance. Sometimes Cary attaches the reins to the bit and sometimes to the sidepull rings. Mostly though, he rides with such a loose rein that it probably doesn't matter what he's using - the bit (or lack of) isn't what matters to them - but I would never want to see Cary ride with a spade! My farrier and I were chatting about shows once while he was trimming. He said if he were in charge of the show world, he'd devise a point system to reward the riders who can do the most with the least. In other words, it would only forbid the harshest tack, but points would be added or deducted based on the tack the rider selected. For instance, all things equal, a sidepull or bosal would beat a snaffle, a snaffle would beat a curb, and bonus points for bareback, and deductions for nosebands, tie-downs and martingales - maybe even a sliding scale for the type of noseband, with a hunter type noseband getting very little penalty. Someone who rode with spurs, a curb bit, a noseband would be at a disadvantage from the get go. Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
