>Mic, can you describe what you do? I don't do much at all under saddle, as I'm large and I don't think it's fair on the young horses who don't have the muscles or fitness to carry a rider, let alone one my size. However - I do start them. My own horses only, so they are used to me and my ways. They are OK to lead (on a loose rein, or completely loose), tie-up, catch, have feet trimmed, trailer etc.
I do a sort of bastard mix (mic's? ; )) of Parelli, Tom Dorrance, John Lyons, Magnus Larusson involving plenty of groundwork and bending, and then eventually I just sit on them when they are ready for it. So far, none has reacted in the slightest. We progress to just riding around in the rope halter, in an enclosed space for a few minutes at a time until they know left, right, start and stop, then, due to my build and lack of confidence they go down to my friend who does the rest of the basic work, gets them going out on the trail etc. > >How long are they ridden bitless? With me, not that long but it varies depending on the horse. At the moment I'm riding 3 horses, 2 go bitless (one in a Parelli halter, the other in a Lindell sidepull) and I've just ordered a new Dr Cook as the one I had borrowed had to go back to its owner) which I am planning to try on Skessa, the mare I'm borrowing from friends. So far as I know she's never been ridden bitless, but she's quite sensible so I'm sure she'll be fine trail riding on her own without a bit. At the moment I'm riding her in a kk double jointed snaffle with a cavesson. I'm not sure I will feel confident enough to ride her out in a group without the added psychological boost of knowing I can definitely stop her if I really need to, which I don't always have from a bitless bridle. My problem, not the horse's. Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes"
