6/ OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2011 THE RIDER Natural Horsemanship & Body Control Foundation Reining Training
his height, made him an intimi- dating man, and he often instilled fear in his contemporaries.” ~ Wikipedia
ber? Unfortunately, the idea is still around today.
I am often asked about shanks on a bit and the length and of course, which one to use when. According to Dale Myler, of Myler Bits: “The mouthpiece is for the horse, the shanks are for the rider.” OK! The shanks are for the rider. (Please reread as long as neces- sary) Great! Now we’re get- ting some where!
Long Shanks By Susan Dahl
“Edward I was a tall man for his era, hence the nickname “Longshanks”. He was also tem- peramental, and this, along with
Shanks can be tiny - short - medium - long - extra long or none. Here are some shank length general basics (several factors apply so keeping every other factor the same for now <— important to note): 1. The more rider hand move- ment, the shorter the shanks need to be so as not to have repeated discomfort with the
It’s a good thing that ‘long shanks’ in today’s horsemanship does not conquer up the same ideas of fear & intimidation as Longshanks did! This wasn’t always the case though was it? I remember as a rider in my youth, the old fearful idea that long shanks on a bit meant severe and many people stayed away from them. That ole saying comes to mind: “We fear most what we don’t understand.” They were imitating to some. Remem-
4. The rougher the rider’s hands, the shorter the shanks need to be as the rider is yelling at the horse via the reins/bit and may cause discomfort in the mouth.
@KISS Reiners
very frequent pulls on the bit. This applies to horse and/or rider.
2. The quieter and/or more skilled the rider’s hands, the longer the shanks can be to refine communication. ie. Longshanks!
3. The more timid and unsure of a rider’s cues via the reins/bit, the longer the shanks need to be so the communica- tion is loud and clear for the horse and not vague.
5. The more prolonged contact in the horse’s mouth, the short- er the shanks need to be so the amount of pressure on a horse’s tongue is minimized. No shanks as in a snaffle.
need to be? and long shanks!
How long do your shanks Putting my spin on bits
Reinersue, now Myler Bitting System Technical certified!
About the Author: Susan Dahl, certified Myler Bitting System technical clinician, proudly the newest member of Toklat’s Myler (Bit) Ride Team, is a certified professional horse trainer, NCCP coaching theory certified, writer, competitor, clinician and owner/operator of Foundation Reining Training Centre, where she specializes in modernized horsemanship & body control foundation reining training or Western Dressage for horse & rider. For more information on her very inno- vative & fun approach to train- ing, clinics, lessons, or coach- ing, please visit her website
www.reinersuehorsemanship.c om or
Reinersue@hotmail.com.
OEF Spirit Of The Horse at This Years’ Royal
The OEF is pleased to continue our tradition with the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair to bring to audiences one of the most popular features of the fair, the Spirit of the Horse exhibit sponsored by Mamma’s Pizza.
The Spirit of the Horse will feature various breeds including American Saddle- bred, Arabian, Black Forest, Canadian, Fjord, Friesian, Gypsy Vanner, Newfoundland Pony, Paso Fino, Percheron, Quarter Horse, Sport Horse, Thoroughbred, and donkeys, which will entertain and edu- cate audiences with riding and driving demonstrations high- lighting the history, versatility and unique traits of their breed. In addition to breeds, visitors will have the opportunity to meet the working horses from the Toronto Mounted Police,
learn about road safety and trail etiquette with horses, ask ques- tions about the benefits of ther- apeutic riding and much more! Daily schedules will be posted on our website and on facebook so be sure to follow what is going on down at the Spirit exhibit.
Other highlights of this year’s Spirit of the Horse exhibit you won’t want to miss: - Equestrian of the Century, Mark Todd will be doing a mini clinic on eventing - Canadian Equestrian Team member Erynn Ballard returns to do a repeat of her successful hunter/jumper clinic from 2010 - Canadian Reining Committee Chair and International Reining Judge, Gary Yaghdjian will be educating the audience on the increasingly popular discipline of reining
- Fourth generation Charro, Jerry Diaz will be performing highlights from his perfor- mance in the main ring
The OEF is thrilled to have these internationally
known equestrians participate in the Spirit of the Horse. The daily educational ses- sions introduced last year in the round pen were a big success and we will once again have professionals demonstrating equine massage therapy, alter- native therapy, chiropractic therapy, the work of the farrier, saddle fitting, nutrition and more. If you have every want- ed to find out about any of these topics, be sure to stop by the round pen for an opportuni- ty to ask a professional and to see them work up close. There will be lots to see at this year’s Spirit of the Horse exhibit, so stop by often. The OEF will have our booth locat- ed right in the Spirit of the Horse area, so please drop by and say hello to the staff. We also hope you will come down for the festivities on Tuesday, November 8, for the inaugural OEF Member Appreciation Day. Not only will members get 30% off tick- ets to the horse show that day,
but we will have lots going on all day including giveaways, draws, an exclusive reception where you can meet equestrian VIPs, and many other fun activities as the OEF shows its appreciation for our members! The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world’s largest indoor agricultural and international equestrian compe- tition. The Royal draws more than 300,000 visitors to the Direct Energy Centre in Toron- to annually to see thousands of unique entries from elite Cana- dian and International breeders, growers and exhibitors, over 4,500 large and small animals, shows, activities, shopping, dining and The Royal Horse Show. For more information about the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and Spirit of the Horse 2011 please visit
www.royalfair.org.
Be sure to mark your cal- endar and join us for the Spirit of the Horse at the Royal Agri- cultural Winter Fair November 4-13, 2011.
#1 In Dust Control!
Dusty Track Riding Arena
Parking Lot • Laneway Call Betty NEWMAN DUST
Islandview Farm Equipment • 633520 Hwy 10, Orangeville, ON 519-941-9098 or 1-866-892-8452
www.islandviewfarmequipment.com
CONTROL (519) 839-4511
www.riverbenddesigns.org
Equine Discount Available!
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 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80