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Monty Roberts is a renowned horse trainer known as the man who listens to horses and the original horse whisperer. Monty's horse training instructions are accepted worldwide.
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Monty says, “We hear that ‘actions speak louder than words,’ but generally we do not live by it too successfully.” Now Monty has taught thousands of people worldwide how to build trust in animals through our actions and body language.
Monty’s principles really amount to common sense and immense patience. He believes that children and horses have the same behavioral patterns. They are both naturally “flight” animals. "If you frighten them and resort to confrontation, you’ll lose their trust." ~ Monty
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Horse Behavior and Training

bit or no bit??

By:

star

Date:

2012-Apr-20 at 11:51AM

In research for my book I have found information on bits,bridles and reins.
Researcher/vet. Hilary M. Clayton, BVMS has found that the soft tissue of the horse (tongue) can take more pressure than the hard tissue (nose bone, palate, jaw bones).
The soft tissue has the ability to absorb forces better than the hard does.
When the bit is the appropriate size and adjusted correctly, the tongue can slide up and down under the mouth peice. This allows the bit to sink into the tongue when tension is applied.
The basic (snaffle) bit poked forward into the hard palate is uncomfortable for the horse, teaching the horse to lean into the bit or open it's mouth.
It is suggested that riders should try to avoid putting pressure on hard tissue (palate and jaw bones) and keep the pressure on the tongue.
Therefore early studies show that bitless bridles are not more humane.
They can be used as a useful alternative for the horse with a lacerated tongue.
I found this information to be very interesting and wanted to share it with you all.
Something came to mind while I was researching this: Monty says, the tools are only as good as the hands that hold them, so true.
Good tools + good hands = happy horse
Have a sunny day,
Ronda

Maisy 2012-Apr-20 at 02:25PM

Very ingesting thanks Ronda,
But its raining all day here

phantommustang1 Walsenburg, Colorado, USA 2012-Apr-20 at 02:52PM

I was kind of thinking that way, about bits, I mean. nice to actually find its true. Thank you, Ronda. It looks like rain here too and I have a flat tire and no spare, so cant go see the horses today. Tomorrow is supposed to be better, weather wise, and Jim will fix my tire tonight when he gets home.

star 2012-Apr-20 at 04:53PM

Hey guys sorry about the rain. I kind of wish it would rain here for us. We have had a very dry winter and spring and because this is the east coast of Canada we get a lot of forest fires, lots of forest area.
So maybe we will get some this weekend.
Wouldn't it be a perfect world if it only rained between midnight and 4 am. Then the ground could have it nourishment but the ground would be dry for us and our horses!!!!
No more rolling in the mud, poor things, they would probably miss that!!!!lol
Ronda

phantommustang1 Walsenburg, Colorado, USA 2012-Apr-20 at 05:03PM

It cleared up, so no rain, and we need it too. We have been in a drought for a few years now, and like you, Ronda, we have a lot of forest around here, with lots of fires. Yeah, that would be great if it would rain like that. A nice, steady, soaking rain. We had quite a bit of snow, but then it froze, and when it decided to warm up, finally, the wind came up and dried everything up before it could do much good. We get a lot of wind around here. Which isnt good for fire season.