On Feb 21, 2008, at 9:07 AM, Judy Ryder wrote: > Watch this horse's mouth: > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg9PdIP0QhQ >
The thing that makes me cringe when I watch these videos (and many other exampoles where the horse is being led from the ground or tied (as in cowboy movies) is that the reins attached to the bit are used as the LEADROPE! If the horse pulls back or spooks, even slightly, that bit is slammed into the bars of the mouth, provoking further reaction and worse case, causing the horse to rear or flip. Leading with the reins is not a good policy if you want to keep a light mouthed horse happy with the bit and responsive to the rider's rein cues, Yes, having a halter and leadrope on the horse in addition to the headstall and reins is yet another piece of equipment (why I generally use a halter-headstall), but it is so much kinder to the horse. Lynn Kinsky, Santa Ynez, CA http://www.silcom.com/~lkinsky/
