by Cynthia Cooper Over the past 5 or 6 years bitless bridles have increased in popularity and so have the number of available styles. Like bits, they can have very different actions and levels of comfort for the horse, so choosing a bitless bridle comes down to knowing how the […]
Choosing the Best Bitless Bridle Read More »
Until a few years ago there used to be very few choices if you wanted to ride without a bit in your horse’s mouth. There was the western style bosal, the mechanical hackamore or the rope halter, mostly used by western riders, showjumpers and endurance riders in that order. But
Bitless Bridles – What’s the Difference? Read More »
By Laurel Gordon Based on a definition of CAT-H by Dolores Arste and Kellie Snyder. While working on her Master’s thesis, behavioural science student Kellie Snyder noticed that positive reinforcement methods like clicker training, or giving food treats, didn’t work so well on animals when there was a lot of
Some people see winter as a time to put the horses aside, some even complain about the weather, short days and no time to ride. Then there are those who see winter as a time to focus on other horsemanship challenges and these are only limited by your imagination. One
by Josepha at Dressage In Hand Q: How do I get connection with my horse without a bit? A: First of all, I ask the question to each person what ‘connection’ is according to them. What people mostly say is the following: “The rider energises the horse with the legs (impulsion),
Getting a Bitless Connection Read More »
By Cynthia Cooper The term ‘on the bit’ has become commonplace and used to denote a certain frame or level of head carriage and collection of the horse. But what happens when you don’t have a bit in your horse’s mouth? Can your horse still collect and if they do,
Riding Bitless – ‘On the Bridle’ Read More »
By Cynthia Cooper © There’s a saying – “Go shoe-less but not clue-less” so here’s another – “Go bit-less but not wit-less”. (I’m sure it’s been said before)! So you’ve decided to listen to your horse and get rid of the bit. You may have read about or heard of
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by Philip Nye What is disengagement? Firstly, it’s the opposite of engagement or full power as a disengaged horse has relaxed and yielded all its power. It has released its power to the hindquarters mainly but also softened and released its shoulders, head, and neck. The horse overall is relaxed,
Disengagement is a Powerful Control Read More »
Kaya Femerling was a Natural Hoof Care Practitioner with a huge passion for helping horses, and people. She ran a thriving practice until diagnosed with cancer, and sadly succumbed to it in early 2014. It was an incredible pleasure to have known Kaya during the 2007 Hoofcare Course and over
A tribute to Kaya Femerling Read More »
Slow feeding hay is fast becoming the best practice for the horse industry as people discover the benefits for their horses and their wallet. The availability of long-lasting nylon and poly netting used in the marine industry has enabled enterprising manufacturers to provide a much-needed product. These tough nets are
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by Cynthia Cooper Often referred to as being ‘barn sour’ or rushing home, the herd bound horse just wants to stay near the barn or get home and back to their mates as fast as possible. It can turn in to a frustrating or dangerous situation, especially if you’re out
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One of the few things horses and humans have in common is the need for annual check up with the dentist. In days gone by the farrier also practiced horse dentistry so it was easy to slot in a quick check of the teeth when he visited on a regular
