outriding wrote:
Donald,
Historically, Pat Parelli is all about riding bridleless. You probably know that one of his claims to fame years ago was competing with a mule in reining while bridleless.
I don't think it is about liability, as they don't have their students using bits until they can demonstrate ability to communicate with their horses using their rope hackamore. There are also segments within the program that require the student to ride the horse bareback and bridleless in order to achieve a particular level.
I do believe that the PNH program looks to the bit and the "finished bridle horse" as a potential end result. So, you progress with your horse to where you can actually use a curb bit or a full bridle for dressage refinement. The most recent talk from PNH management is all about their new ideas on the use of bits.
This is discouraging for me, 'cuz I would rather the direction be towards the amazing amount of communication we can achieve with our horses without the use of bits. In fact, now that I've changed my ways, it is shocking to me how much a bit gets in the way of true communication with a horse
I watch my friends struggling to achieve collection (with a variety of instructors) and see their horses worrying about the bit to point of not perceiving the more subtle signals that involve projection of rider energy and weight shift. I never noticed this about bridled horses before. Now is just screams at me
Funny what a change in perspective can do, ONCE IT IS BASED on experience. We can aspire and be motivated, but once we actually manage to do it even once it becomes dedication more than motivation.
"I want that feeling again."
And I see what you are saying about PNH.
The horse I'm training at present has had nothing but bitless work with me. I can't speak to his prior experience, though I know the owner has bits, and likely has used them on him.
I keep putting off putting a bit on him and 'finishing' his training for sale (his future as the owner tells me).
I know it would be quite cruel to send him out untrained in a bit. He may move on through who knows how many owners. The chances of them all being, or even the first being, a bitless rider are highly unlikely.
So I will bit him up, but it brings tears to my eyes even thinking of it.
He's a good little guy that really tries hard to learn. And I know he'll come to accept the bit. I know how to train to lightness with a bit, and will, in hopes others will appreciate that he doesn't need hauling around by his head and mouth.
And I'm reminded once again the part that I hated about being a professional and left the business so many years ago.
Which, of course, makes me examine my path, currently, and examine what I can map out to move me further in the direction I wish to go, rather than responding to a direction the marketplace might offer.
I wonder what it is that keep Pat and Linda still preserving that path from bitless to bitted, if it isn't that?
Can they possibly believe still that a bit is what puts a finish, tunes a horse to more correct carriage and performance?
I'll be interested in seeing the direction they go. As a retiree I cannot afford the training with PNH, but I continue to value all people that work toward what they believe is a higher dressage.
So I watch and question others too for their observations and opinions. I value yours.
Thanks, Donald