Showing posts with label bridling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bridling. Show all posts

Sunday, February 4, 2018

Pattern Learning: Accepting the Bridle

by Mary Gallagher


Horses and humans are pattern learners and that's a good thing. The first thing you need to know when comparing horse to human learning, however, is that the horse learns quicker. Way quicker.

We humans tend to see tasks as wholes—bridling, saddling, mounting—and get frustrated when, for all our best intentions and care, things don’t go well. The horse, meanwhile, has catalogued a lifetime of minutiae regarding his experience as a prey animal. So to him, that thing that happened that time, probably before you two had even met, affects the seemingly simple, matter-of-fact activity you are attempting.

Let's say bridling your horse tends to be a less than satisfactory experience—he has learned to evade the bridle, and is a bit shy around the ears. How will we go about setting a new pattern? We will start by deconstructing our habitual putting on of the bridle, identifying steps which will address different aspects of the whole process. Then we will install new steps, one by one, setting a new, happier pattern for both of you.

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Bridling Your Horse - Part 3 - Challenges

By Jessica Crouch

Over the last couple of months, we've talked about how to help your horse become more willing to be bridled.  It is not just about forcing a horse to stand and accept a bridle - it is about a series of good habits, communication, and careful attention to the feel you give your horse. Now I'd like to give you a few little challenges to play with. Just how good is your bridling skill? Can you:

Bridling Your Horse - Part 2

By Jessica Crouch


Last month, we discussed basic prerequisites to bridling your horse, which included physical issues to consider as well as exercises to ensure your horse is trusting and willing to let you handle his head. Now I'd like to share with you my favorite method of bridling.



Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Bridling Your Horse - Part 1

By Jessica Crouch


You watch enviously as your friend bridles her horse. The horse happily lowers his head, reaches for the bit, holds it softly in his mouth while the bridle is slipped over his ears, and blissfully chews up his little cookie reward. Soon they are off having a pleasant warm-up in the field and you are still on your tip-toes trying to jam a bit through your own horse's teeth. You love your horse, but are quite frustrated with this bridling problem. Why can't he just take the bit nicely?