If you were driving your car along a narrow lane and needed to tuck into the side so that you and the driver of another vehicle coming the other way could pass each other without incident, wouldn’t you be alarmed if turning the steering wheel suddenly had the opposite effect that you were hoping for and your car veered out into the road completely out of your control? I’d be scared stiff!
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Just playing in the school with Magic. I wasn’t expecting anything worth capturing on video as this was Magic’s first ever outing to a covered arena away from home. (I know, I can’t quite believe that either!) But he felt rather fabulous so I asked Derek to do a bit of filming with my phone.
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From time to time, Jo and I get asked whether a bit is really necessary in order to ride a horse. Clearly, it’s not essential. On the other hand, if you know how to use one in a horse friendly way, it can become a very useful tool for both horse and rider.
The reason why head collars and bridles were invented is that the simple truth that control over a horse’s head and neck provide a key to influencing the rest of his body. This is something all horses learn through instinct in their first few hours of life.
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If there’s one thing I see people doing that stops them making the progress they want with their horses it’s trying to hide their mistakes. And that could be a big mistake that’s holding you back too.
In fact, you probably don’t even realise that you’re doing it – because hiding your mistakes is actually baked into the way most riders have been taught to use their aids.
Well, yes… and no! As is often the case with riding, it depends.
As something to work towards, then yes, hands that appear to be still can be a sign of a well schooled horse and a skilful rider. But if you want a happy horse who enjoys being ridden throughout his career, how your hands behave has to be determined by what your horse’s mouth is doing and not the other way around.