Horse Training Tips – Training Without A Bit

The most common way to train, ride or drive a horse is using a bit. But does “the most common” way mean that this is the only way? Definitely not. People who use their horses “California Style” or “Vaquero Style” do not use bits till the horse is considered finished.

 I have heard over and over again, “the bit gives me more control”. I actually did see a post on a horse forum what bit to use with a halter to get “more control”. NONE for crying out loud. I will address the question of “Control” in a separate article – it is a very important issue.

I start every horse out in long-lines before I do anything else. This includes a surcingle, a halter and two long lines. Naturally the first thing I need to train is a stop. While the horse is on a slow walk I will give the command “Whoa” – and stop walking with the horse. What happens? The horse walks into the lines and into the halter – which applies pressure to the nose. As soon as the horse stops I will release the pressure.

I have never worked a horse which did not figure out within the first day that it was much more comfortable to respond immediately to “Whoa” than to walk into the lines and the halter. This accomplishes two things. For one I establish the dominance of a voice command. And the horse also learns to respond to very little amounts of pressure.

Well, could you ride the horse with a halter? Sure – just does not look very stylish.

You can either use a “Hackamore” or a “Bosal”. I prefer the Bosal with it’s Spanish look. If you have prepared the horse in long-lines, this will be a breeze. The simple trick is that you train the horse to react to the slightest pressure possible.

And this also gets you around several problems a bit can cause.

If you are not a perfect rider with very steady hands, you might apply pressure to the bit without wanting it – which is very uncomfortable for the horse and can get the horse confused. When you start a horse out you will not get a perfect stop right away. So most of the time you will apply more pressure. This can mean that the horse pays more attention to the pain than to you.

The biggest problem I have seen with bits is this. People rely mainly on the bit – and the horse gets used to it, but still does not stop. The next step is a bit with more leverage – and the cycle just starts all over.

When you train a horse without a bit you will have a very sensitive horse. When you have reached the level of training and riding that suits you – you can switch over to a bit, but it by then is just for looks.

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Horse Training Tips – A Horse As Assistant Trainer

There are two ways to look at horse training. It is a long slow process including a lot of work – and this is true. But you can also look at it as a heck a lot of fun – which is the more positive way. And you can make it easier and more fun using another horse.

Using another horse is especially helpful when you are training young horses. Let me give you an example how I do that.

Training foals I have a pretty set way of going forward. After they are used to being handled and touched I proceed to having them wear my hat. I do this for several reasons. First it is de-sensitizing the head and the ears. Second it is a pretty big and dangerous looking object – and they have to learn to trust me. And finally when I hang my hat on one of the ears, it impairs their vision – more trust building.

Horse Training Tips – Making Things Simple

Riding or driving a horse is a very complex task. There is an old US Cavalry hand book out there that defines everything a (cavalry) horse under saddle can or should do – and how to do it. This book has right around 1,500 pages. I doubt that any cavalry trainer ever did read all of it. But there is a way to make things real simple.

If you watch Western Pleasure Riding at a show or even dressage, it all looks pretty simple – till you try to do it.

Horse Training Tips – The “Fear Factor”

The simple reality is that an average 150 pound human has no means and ways to control a 1000 to 1200 pound horse. You can use the meanest bit in the world – and the horse can just throw you in the dirt. But does that mean we have to be afraid of horses?

Obviously not. Thousands of people are riding or driving horses – and enjoy the heck out of it. Yes every now and then accidents happen – but you could just stumble in your yard and break a bone.

But: What I call the “fear factor” can greatly influence how you train, ride or drive your horse.

Horse Training Tips – Nothing Works Without Trust

This does not only apply to training your horse. It also applies to everything you do with your horse. And it truly is a double edged sword. If you do not trust your horse, your horse will not trust you – and you better be real careful.

To better understand that you might want to look at a herd of horses turned out – or even better a band of wild horses. Usually the stallion will be the main lookout. If something happens the lead mare will make the decision – usually to take off. Every horse in the herd will follow her decision – for a good reason. The herd is the main protection. A horse that gets away from the herd is easy prey. That is the reason why usually the stallion will bring up the rear and keep them together. The herd totally trusts the lead mare.

Horse Training Tips – The Issue of “Control”

Successful horse training should ultimately provide the rider with total control over every move the horse makes. This is the idea behind the “art of riding” or dressage. But what does “control” really mean? It should not mean pure physical control or restraint – never.

I mentioned in another article, that I did see a post, what bid to use with a halter on a young colt to gain more “Control”. What a horrible though!

Here are two very interesting examples of “control”.

Horse Training Tips – No Results Without Focus

There are probably a few thousand people out there training horses for a living. Some of them are excellent and worth every penny. Some are doing ok – and if you do not know much about training, they will work. Some should just find another job.

And there are for sure a lot more people doing their own training. Some of them get amazing results. Most are getting along with their horses and with what they are doing ok. Some just always have “problem horses”.

Horse Training Tips – The Importance of Consistency

If you watch a herd of horses turned out you will notice that there are pretty set behavioral patterns. Everyone knows his or her place in the pecking order. There are usually no big surprises for anybody involved. This is how horses live.

Now we enter the picture – and that is where things can get complicated. The horse pretty much expects that our behavior is as consistent as the behavior of the herd members. And this is not always the case – and can potentially confuse the horse.

Horse Training Tips – “Long Lines” – a Second Step to “Finesse”

Horse Training can have two different approaches. One is to accomplish a minimum level fast and say, “good enough is enough.” The other one is to strive for a level of “finesse” – where good enough is not enough. I strongly believe in the second approach.

In a different article I described the value of finesse for “leading the horse”. The next logical step in this approach would be to work the horse with the same goal in long lines.

Horse Training Tips – “Lead the Horse” – A First Step to “Finesse”

Over the last few years there has been a lot of hype about horse training. All kinds of “new” techniques were presented, but mostly it is the same show of starting an “untouched” horse. In my opinion something lost out – “finesse.”

There is more to training, riding or driving a horse than “just get going.” If the horse takes a halter and kind of follows, the job seems to be done. But it actually is far from done. The Spanish riding tradition is a good example of finesse.