>>>> The rope is tied to the bottom of the halter (not to either side of the halter - or bridle) - so I think when you pick up on the rein it doesn't translate to pressure on the right side of the face as well as a bit translates to pressure on the side of the mouth (or face if you use a side pull). Probably it is not so much of an issue if you put your hand out a ways (which I cannot do much with my left arm) or if your horse doesn't need any rein (Drifa and I are working on this but not pefect yet), so for us the signals tend to be a bit muddy.
You're talking about what the Parelli folks call a "hackamore"? - I put it in quotes since it's not what a lot of people consider a hackamore. You're not talking about when you just ride with the lead rope and halter? Do you ever ride Drifa with a sidepull? Sina knows the gaits by name, so I'm thinking about trying to go without the bit again soon. I am using the Freedom Bridle on her now, so all I'd have to go is move the reins to the sidepull rings, and optionally take the bit off. Hey, I think it's important that we get our incorrectly ridden Perfect Princess Ponies synchronized so that they are ridden equally incorrectly...:) What are Drifa's gaits like? Is she mutli-gaited, or does she have a particular soft gait that she likes and goes into and stays in? I ask, because that's the main reason I typically ride Sina with a bit. I can pretty much steer her and stop her with my seat (with legs as reinforcement, if necessary), but she has the full range of gaits and I like to use them all. I can easily cue her to one gait or another with a light touch to the reins with a bit in her mouth, but the signal seems less clear to her without a bit. I usually ride with a very loose rein on the trail, and just pick the reins up slightly to cue gaits. Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1212 - Release Date: 1/6/2008 10:55 PM
