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THE HORSE GAZETTE
TRAINING
Training without force
what is “on the bit” and what is not
By Mary Rose, FBHS © 2008
On the bit is such a at the reins, his back will go
half-halts.
misunderstood term. For one flat and then hollow. This tells
When the horse is
thing it is an incorrect transla- you that you have put the horse
in balance he will seek the bit.
tion and should really be ren- into collection by the opposing
He will reach forward and hold
dered as “on the aids”. If we forces of the hands and legs.
the bit lightly and softly in his
can stop ourselves thinking that Nuno used to say “Let
mouth with a supple and relaxed
“on the bit” has anything to do your horse look towards the
jaw. This, to me, is “on the bit”
with the reins we will be on the floor and follow his back with
- even when we ride on a totally
way to a better understanding of your back.” and today the USDF
loose rein the horse can, and
what we want. tries to foster that idea in dres-
should be, “on the bit” because
To be “on the bit” or sage riders by including the
he is reaching forward seeking
rather “on the aids” the horse circle with the loose rein and
to hold the bit and maintain his
must be balanced. To be bal- stretched forward and down
light contact with his rider’s
anced the horse must be ‘for- neck in every lower level test,
hand.
ward’, ‘relaxed’ and ‘rhythmic’. yet how seldom we see it done
So, being “on the bit”
Forward is that state of mind correctly.
has nothing to do with how col-
when the horse is listening to Rhythm is the regu-
lected the horse is and certainly
It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before!
his rider and ready and willing larity of the beat. It is important
nothing to do with having a
to respond to the lightest aid to to encourage every horse to go
strong feel or weight in our
move - it is NOT rushing hur- freely forward in good rhythm
hands. It can only be achieved
riedly about with no rhythm. and it is up to the rider to rec-
by riding the horse in balance,
We’re not just a feed store, or western wear,
A horse is ‘relaxed’ ognize what is the best rhythm
from the hindquarters forward
when he will lengthen and for each particular horse at the
and receiving his contact softly
stretch his neck when you give stage of training he has reached.
in our hands. To do that we
hardware, tack, house wares, lawn and garden
the reins. You must ask for this The rider sets the rhythm. By the
must develop a seat which is
slowly and progressively and correct riding of circles, corners
perfectly still and balanced and
or gifts...we’re ALL of that and MORE!
not allow the horse to lengthen and shoulder-in we develop
relaxed or we will end up using
his neck by snatchin For the regularity of the rhythm and
our hands to strap-hang and
horse to lengthen and stretch his through transitions (particularly
keep ourselves on the horse.
neck forward and down when downward transitions from trot
There’s something for everyone Callahan’s!
you give the rein is a sure sign to walk and trot-canter-trot For more informa-
that you have worked him cor- transitions) we shift some of tion visit www.MaryRoseDres-
rectly and his back is relaxed the weight back towards the sage.com or call 512-894-4536
and round. Equally, if he will hindquarters and develop in the or e-mail: maryrose@txwinet.
Someone here knows how to custom
not, or cannot, do it, or grabs horse an understanding of the com.
event
shape hats, kill fire ants, thread pipes,
2009 George Strait team roping classic
seasoned cast iron...
The 27th Annual levels may compete alongside doesn’t come along every day.”
George Strait Team Roping Clas- each other for a chance at the big “The most gratify- we’ll be glad to share that knowledge with you.
sic (GSTRC) is scheduled to take winnings. In 2008 nearly 500 ing thing about putting on the
place Friday and Saturday March teams competed for more than GSTRC comes when we present
13
th
& 14
th
2009 at the San Anto- $660,000 in cash and prizes. the awards to the winners,” said
nio Rose Palace in San Antonio, Travis Tryan and Michael Jones Strait. “The looks on their faces,
Texas. The event, which origi- eventually walked away with the excitement and their words
nated as a small family roping Champions title to go along with of appreciation make all the hard
Don’t forget, we also carry fresh hay & Capitol Feeds!
by George and his brother Buddy $88,060 each. In addition to the work worth every minute.”
in 1982, has grown into the most cash, they each won a Chevy All ropers will par-
prestigious open Team Roping Silverado from Cavender Chev- ticipate on Friday, March 13
th
501 Bastrop Highway - Austin, Texas
competition in the country. The rolet (Boerne, TX) and a Strait for cash and prizes. Following
GSTRC has become the premiere X-treme 3-horse slant trailer from Friday’s competition, the top Phone: (512) 385-3452 - Toll Free: (800) 950-8602
open in the sport with hundreds of Bruton Trailers. 50 teams will come back for the
thousands of dollars up for grabs “It is definitely a life final three rounds on Saturday,
Fax: (512) 385-0932
each year. changing experience to win the March 14th.
The GSTRC is not GSTRC,” says 2008 winner Details on registra- Website: www.callahansgeneralstore.com
just for the big names however. Michael Jones. “With nearly 500 tion, competition and ticket pur-
As an open roping, ropers of all teams entering, this chance just chasing go to www.gstrc.com.
Call our Texas Division and ask for Don Buyse
830-537-5268
or Toll Free
888-538-8518
You can also visit with Don at the
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
February 5-22, 2009
Exhibit Hall #1• Booths 425 & 427
Visit: www.classic-equine.com E-mail: don.buyse@classic-equine.com
Visit us at: www.HorseGazette.com Page 3
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