Hi Judy >>>I wonder how that type of contact would compare to the weight of an icelandic bit?
I am sure that the contact is less but why is everything so extreme? There is a space in the middle between the weight of the heavy rope contact and pounds of pressure on the reins as if often used in the ISTR. >>>How about how the heavy rope reins contact(some weight but free flowing and moving with the horse) would compare to the ISTR (icelandic style training and riding) contact Again looking in the middle, which is why I sometimes don't feel like I fit anywhere, if you ride with a connected contact, not pull, on a leather rein you can have a definite release as you encourage the horse to stretch - a heavy rope rein maintains the contact and you have less choice. How many pounds pressure would be in your hand? It is always interesting to look at it from different perspectives. Wearing a bridle on your head and feeling different signals is always a good one for people - feel different reins - weight, way of holding, pulling vs connection or no connection; rider posture, even standing on the ground. Always helpful to make people think about what they are doing. Robyn Icelandic Horse Farm Robyn Hood & Phil Pretty Vernon BC Canada www.icefarm.com
