I just don't get people who say "horses should only be ridden in snaffles" and "spurs are evil and should never be used". Is it just ignorance because they don't understand them and how they work? And because they've maybe only seen them used incorrectly? It just baffles me that people say how horrible these things are when it seems like they have no clue the true purpose of them or how to properly use them.
Snaffle bits are great but can hurt just as much as any other bit in the wrong hands AND cues with them are not as subtle as with leverage bits. My gelding will ride in any bit. I have him in a snaffle when my fiance rides since he's still learning but I ride him in a ported curb with a copper roller. He does great in both, but when I ride in my bit, you can't see my hand move at all, whereas in the snaffle I have to move my hand a bit more. And you can't compete in breed shows and upper level shows in a snaffle unless you are a kid or your horse is like 2 anyway.
Spurs are not for speed. Spurs are for lateral movement (spinning, sidepassing, moving hip, etc). You don't kick your horse with spurs, you apply pressure and if you don't get a response you bump them lightly with them . And if you use spurs, you don't have to use the bit as much: P
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com So are people really just that ignorant about how these things work? What do you think?
@ Hollywood
I think you know my opinion on this already with my lovely rant.
I use bits I know most of you kids would call animal abuse on me for. Yet I think my horse has a very nice mouth on her. Even my 3 year old does. The bits are comfortable in their mouths because they gw regular dental work by a GOOD dentist (a lot of vets suck) and they have bit seats. I also make sure the bit is the appropriate size and width for their mouths and I always ride in bit guards except in full cheeks and d rings. I know how each of my bits work including my long shanked combo bit with a good amount of gag and a stiff rope nose. I also know how to ride appropriately in a draw gag and they're my favorite type of bit to use since they can teach a horse so much.
I don't buy cheap bits. I buy quality bits that are well balanced and free moving. I don't buy crap bits. I'll buy used before I'll buy a crappy bit.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
When it comes to spurs, I will tell you now that I'm a barrel racer, competitive at local and national shows, and I rarely use them. Theyre one of my training tools, sure. I know how to use them the right way .
I ride my 3 year old in spurs. He's lazy and it doesn't take but brushing them against his side and he's much more attentive to my leg cues. They certainly don't hurt him, if I put my spur to his side, he will turn in to my leg and turn. If I slide my leg back, he'll turn away from it. If I whoa and pick up my reins and squeeze him lightly, he backs up. I use regular roper style spurs with the jinglebobs and all, but I also use humane spurs and bumper spurs. It all depends on what I'm doing.
I guess I'm super evil too since I use tie downs and bonnets as well as draw reins, running martingales, German martingales.
Let's not forget my combos, twisted wire mouthed bits, draw gags. 7 "shanked bits, lifter bits, stop and turns and even a quick stop ....
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com I can't say that I barely have to move my hand in the bigger bits, I'd be lying. Let's look at what I do though. I send my horse as fast and hard as I can to a barrel. We're booking it too. I need her to slow down and rate at a barrel. Well lucky me I have a ratey horse so I just sit deep and she sits to turn. However, she can be funny about her pocket so I need inside leg and a combo of flex and gag. I use a twisted wire dogbone draw gag with a curb chain. I pick up my inside rein, apply inside leg and lift her off and up to her pocket with her shoulder up. Now I need her to turn , hand and rein forward and to the inside to basically neck rein the barrel because my mare loves to turn them, no pulling needed. Since I got my pocket right i don't have to hold her off the barrel. Then it's hands forward, kick smooch and kiss to the next barrel to repeat again 2 more times. Let's also remember this is all happening in 16 seconds or less.
Could I do that in a snaffle? Some horses, yes. Other horses I need different tools depending on what their issue is. Bits, tie downs, bonnets, spurs, crops, etc.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
I'm after a good time to hopefully pick up a check, I'm not there just to say my horse looks pretty or is this bred or whatever.
So nope, i have no issues with that. I'll use what I need!
Good hands, good legs.
But not everyone has that or even is aware how their hands or legs are bad, and we cannot teach everyone how to ride.
Cavalry used to have that problem. Put a guy on a horse, full bridle, spurs, and ask him to ride, whether he knows how or not.
I so agree! I have to ride my irish sport in a pelham with roundings on the hunt simple as - he's big and was originally a huntsmans horse so he's not used to a 5'8 9 stone annoyance telling him where to go in a snaffle - he'll go everything else in a 2 ring and on a good day in a plain snaffle.
