How do you feel about the thought that control can come from the mind (maybe mind meeting mind) and that a bit may not be the best way to control a horse?
I am not aiming this comment at anyone anywhere and I know it may be seen as parsing words, but I see the bit or the sidepull or the halter as a means for directing the horse, not controlling him. Let's face it. A 145 lb woman can't "control" a 600 lb pony. We talk about this sometimes when we are out riding. Surely there was some destiny at work when early man and horses came together. Otherwise we'd be riding buffalo or elk or mountain goats. There's something in the makeup of a horse that causes him to allow us to "control" or "direct" him. You can tell we take some sort of long rides. Nancy
