6/ JANUARY 2011 THE RIDER


Natural Horsemanship & Body Control Foundation Reining Training Bitting Levels


called a snaffle with shanks. I understood that snaffles didn’t have shanks (they still don’t), only curb bits. I’ve been researching and learning and talking about them ever since. Have you ever seen this before? (Photo of a brand new student figuring out how bits are setup. What’s wrong with this bit?)


By Susan Dahl. I’ve never talked about bits before in this column, so January is a time to start. I’ve always had a fas- cination with bits and bitting – every since I was con- fused with the bit


BCE where they were made most- ly of bronze. All riders, who are reading this article, will be famil- iar with the different types of bits now available in today’s market. There are always new ones com- ing out and searching the bit wall at a tack store for a new bit can be daunting.


The topic can be a confusing one too since there are a lot of myths and facts that are just not true any more. Or at the very least, a lot of outdated informa- tion. Probably similar to the num- ber of outdated bits in your tack box. A snaffle with shanks.... P.L.E.A.S.E! ... No such thing.. technically, anyway. This creates what I call bit resistance or eva- sion on the part of riders.


and the development of their bit- ting system using bitting levels. They are now one of the most pop- ular bit manufactures today. I am really impressed with their work and have a few of their bits. Sever- al other manufacturers have copied their designs so you can get the bits now with other popular brands. (photo showing Myler sig- nature bit: the Myler 2-ring combi- nation bit – a gag combo.)


used for your sport but the horse is resisting? Many people struggle with this – there’s just too much contradictory information out there about bits. Here’s where the bitting levels could help.


In my lectures on bits, for humour, I pick on the tom thumb bit where I explain that it’s quite a nasty bit and it’s best use would be as a toilet paper holder. The tom thumb bit, named after a locomotive, has been a western standard for as long as I can remember. Wow! No wonder we have so much bit resistance in our horses and riders.


Metals bits have a history stretching back to 1300


Did you know that a bit with a single jointed mouthpiece can be one of the harshest to use on your horse? Funny, since it’s consid- ered one of the mildest especially as a snaffle bit and is the standard for most english horses and horses under harness – western horses too. Did you know that the single jointed snaffle or simple snaffle as it’s called, it the single most used bit in the equine world. Wow! No wonder we have so much bit resis- tance with our horses and riders. With the advances in research and new technology, bit- ting has been made a little easier. The Myler brothers of Missouri have done a lot of research in the last 25 years to understand and eliminate bit resistance and have produced two books entitled ‘A Whole Bit Better’ and their latest book titled: ‘The Level Best For Your Horse’. The thrust of their research has been the theory of tongue pressure vs tongue relief


But hold on... not all issues are resolved with changing bits - though bits are wonderful tools to help you communicate with your horse and I definitely believe it’s important to have the right bit for you and your horse. Greg Darnall, a bit master will tell you: “I make my living making and selling bits and I’d like to sell all of you 3 of them. But I’ll tell you… if you have a problem with your horse, 9 out of 10 times, it’s not your bridle bit.... It’s a hole in your training program.” I totally agree.


Every rider from time to time will have an issue with their horse and their first thoughts are on physical problems. After those have been ruled out, you, as the rider, continue to try to figure out what your horse is trying to say. You just have a feeling that your horse isn’t happy and things could be better. You need your perfor- mance to be better.


Your thoughts now centre on the bit you’re using. What else could it be? Do you feel your horse is totally unresponsive like a dead fish? You’re convinced maybe it’s time to change the bit? Do you need something harsher? Perhaps, you don’t feel in control. Yet, you are scared to change the bit and just put up with what you’ve always used? Strangely, you are using the bit normally


It’s amazing the number of horses that have missed their foun- dation or fundamental training. Many are started under saddle or ‘broke’ and then put right into their career training - skipping the foundation work all together. So before you think it could be a bitting issue, please check to make sure it’s not also a training issue. A training issue could mean going back to a milder bit and more training. From what I’ve experienced so far, I have found that it’s usually a bit of both - the wrong bit is used from the rider’s lack of knowledge and the horse lacks knowledge or training. Back to bitting levels... once you’ve determined that the bit you are using isn’t right for your situa- tion then determining the bitting level you need using the Myler’s system will help you determine the type of bit you need to switch to. It helps to take some of the confu- sion out of it when sorting through


the thousands of different bits and also cuts down on the number of bits you need to buy and try before finding the right one. In fact, the Myler’s will even let you try one first. Did you know that a horse will typically need different types of bits as they advance in their training?


Next time, I will go into more detail on the bitting levels, the Myler’s theory on tongue pres- sure and my experience with it. In the meantime, I encourage you to go to their website: www.myler- bitsusa.com and buy their latest book.


Lastly, I want to add that this is my second year anniversary writing this column and so I want to thank Barry for this great oppor- tunity to share my knowledge and passion with the readers.


“Putting my spin on bits and bit- ting levels.” Reinersue


@Copyright KISS Reiners


About the Author: Susan Dahl is a certified professional horse train- er, NCCP coaching theory certi- fied, writer, competitor, clinician and owner/operator of Foundation Reining Training Centre, where she specializes in natural horse- manship & body control founda- tion reining training/Western Dressage for horse & rider. She has trained & won numerous ORHA, NRHA, & Reining Cana- da Top 10 awards. For more infor- mation on her very innovative & fun approach to training, clinics, lessons, or coaching, please visit her website www.reinersuehorse- manship.com.


Horse Owners Recognize Benefits of Equine Massage


Provided by Tamaran Gray of Equine BodyWorks, www.equinebodyworks.ca


Massage therapy is recog- nized as one of the oldest meth- ods of healing, with references in medical texts nearly 4,000 years old. In fact, Hippocrates, known as the “father of medicine,” referenced massage when he wrote, in the 4th centu- ry B.C.: “The physician must be acquainted with many things, and assuredly with rubbing.” All of the techniques used by mas- sage therapists are used for the benefit of musculoskeletal, cir- culatory-lymphatic, nervous, and other systems of the body. In fact, massage therapy posi- tively influences the overall health and well-being of the


horse.


When a horse’s muscles become tight or in a contracted state this puts pressure on sur- rounding tissues. This results in a decrease in blood circulation, restricted movement and pain. If not relieved and loosened this muscle tightness can cause more problems and will continue to worsen. More than 60% of the horse’s body weight is muscle and muscular problems can be the source of a variety of prob- lems and training set-backs. Prompt attention to minor mus- cle injuries not only improves a horse’s performance but may also prevent major problems in the future. Massage is an excel- lent, drug fee non-invasive treat- ment that can have fast results. As well as being a tool for


Sell your Farm Property in The Rider’s Real Estate Pages!


Advertise in our February Issue!


Call 1-877-743-3715 or (905) 387-1900


remedial treatment of specific injuries, massage therapy is popular as a preventative tool. The branch known as sports massage therapy, which special- izes in preparing the muscula- ture for exertion is especially important in the competitive lives of equine athletes. As well


as the direct physical effects of the specific strokes and pressure of equine massage which can release tension within muscles, massage therapy also improves the well-being of the horse by improving circulation, either soothing or stimulating the ner- vous system and aiding in diges-


tion. A horse doesn’t have to be an athlete to benefit from massage therapy. Just fooling around in the pasture, a horse can pull a muscle and come up sore. Ever seen horses galloping in a muddy field, slip and catch themselves? Imag- ine how you would feel if the same thing happened to you – you may pull a groin or other muscle that you would feel for days. Horses that are sore like this can’t possibly per- form at their fullest potential and very likely will be uncomfortable, even just standing in the stall. There are some signs you can look for to determine whether your horse might benefit from massage therapy:


Stiffness, unwillingness to bend to the left or right


Tripping and stumbling Change in demeanor


Shortened strides Sore back


Problems picking up the canter, bucking during transi- tions


Equine massage is a vital therapy that can help horses lead more productive and pain-free lives and is useful as part of any rehabilitation or maintenance program.


---------


Tamaran Gray Benefits of Massage:


Maintains and improves a horse’s range of motion


Corrects compensatory issues resulting from previous equine injuries


Aligns equine muscle, ten- don and ligament fibers to enhance suppleness and flexibil- ity


Eliminates scar-tissue adhe- sions and muscle contractions Decreases a horse’s inflam- matory responses (reducing pain, loss of function)


Stretches and realigns scar- tissue, which often promotes healing in new and old injuries Corrects asymmetries in a horse’s muscle development Improves circulation


throughout the body


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56