People really are idiots, aren't they? Unfortunately, there's usually only one way to fix stupid, and it's always painful.
A bridle and bit is no guarantee either. A panicked horse can grab that bit and go if he really wants to.
haha I ride my mare with a rope halter all the time. But she is old and well behaved. I agree you should use a bridle if there's a chance your horse will act up.
THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS. FEEL FREE TO ADD MORE. THEY'RE FUN TO READ! :) I JUDGED A SHOW IN THE DESERT, NEAR PALM SPRINGS, THIS PAST WEEKEND AND WAS TOLD A SAD STORY ABOUT A HORSE THAT HAD RECENTLY BEEN HIT AND KILLED BY A CAR. IT WAS BEING PONIED IN A PLAIN ROPE HALTER BY ANOTHER RIDER. IT SPOOKED, BROKE FREE AND GALLOPED INTO TRAFFIC. THE HORSE DIED INSTANTLY AND THE CAR WAS TOTALLED. SO TRUE, CINDY (AND "LUNA"--- LOVE THAT NAME!), THAT A HORSE CAN BOLT AND RUN OFF IN A BIT, TOO. SEEN THAT HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES! IT'S THE COMBINATION OF RELYING ON A PLAIN HALTER AND LEAD ROPE FOR CONTROL + BEING ON OR NEAR STREETS THAT CONCERNS ME.
WOW - now you have me thinking - I ride one of my horses in a rope halter with reins attached underneath- we exclusively trailride. She has many issues with all types of bits and really does wonderfully hands free - I use the halter/ reins combo as I need the security of reins. She is a retired reining horse- who turns right if you look right --- maybe I should check out Dr Cooks bitless bridle ??? any comments on these thanx
lol, thats what show offs get! I ALWAYS ride with a bridle, ever halter. I honestly never even gave that much thought into doing that but now trust me, I won't even try!
Cindy, your stories are always a delight to read! I come here every week to check it out (plus you have a great name lol).
BRYCIE, I HAVE NEVER PERSONALLY RIDDEN A HORSE IN ONE OF THOSE DR. COOK'S BITLESS BRIDLES... OR ANY OF THE OTHER VERSIONS OF A BITLESS BRIDLE. BUT I DO KNOW OF SEVERAL WORLD CLASS SHOWJUMPERS THAT COMPETE IN GRAND PRIX EVENTS IN BITLESS BRIDLES AND THEY ARE (OBVIOUSLY) UNDER COMPLETE CONTROL. PLUS YOU ALSO HAVE THE OPTION OF A BOSAL OR SOME SORT OF HACKAMORE. ALL OF THESE ALTERNATIVES WORK ON SPECIFIC PRESSURE POINTS THAT ARE REMARKABLY SENSITIVE TO THE HORSE. THE KEY, HOWEVER, IS THAT THE HORSE MUST BE WELL TRAINED AND SCHOOLED TO RESPECT THE RIDER AND ALSO RESPOND TO THE SLIGHTEST AID FROM THE RIDER... AND NATURALLY THE RIDER MUST ALSO KNOW HOW TO CORRECTLY APPLY THOSE CUES AND AIDS (WHICH I'M SURE YOU DO). :) AS CINDY/LUNA POINTED OUT, ANY HORSE CAN STILL BOLT AND TAKE OFF IN ANY KIND OF BIT (OR BITLESS BRIDLE) TOO. SO AS RIDERS WE NEED TO MINIMIZE OUR RISKS. AND ANY SORT OF TRAIL RIDING DONE 'OUT IN THE COUNTRY' IS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF RISK THAN RIDING ALONG STREETS, ASPHALT AND VEHICLES TRAVELING AT 35mph OR MORE.
Cindy- Thank You - I am going to try a bitless bridle - we may ride off road but we also seem to have frequent low flying helicopters and always the occasional hot air balloon looking to land --- not sure how effective anything would be if that happened - I would be dimounting in a hurry- So far she has always responded to my cues. BUT there is always that "one day". Love your horsie tails. :)