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Post by Dawn Perkins on May 3, 2012 17:28:21 GMT 1
Hi Briony, I'm so glad you're thinking of giving it a try. Em may well be able to give you some pointers on this!
Best wishes, Dawn
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Post by Dawn Perkins on Nov 13, 2012 9:07:28 GMT 1
I thought I would paste in a link to this recent blog by Cynthia Cooper because it covers a few of the problems experienced by people who are trying to convert to bitless bridles. It illustrates very clearly how to avoid causing pain, either by an inappropriate design of bridle which has too much potential leverage or by incorrect fitting. For example, the noseband should be placed in a slightly different position from that of a noseband used with a bitted bridle:- www.lightriderbridle.com/uploads/3/6/0/3/3603905/choosing_a_bitless_bridle_web.pdfObviously, Cynthia is mostly focusing on her own bridle but her advice covers bitless bridles generally. She also explains how certain types of bitless bridle suit certain types of horses or horses at particular levels in their education. Dawn Perkins
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Post by angelac on Nov 13, 2012 14:17:10 GMT 1
Hi Dawn Thanks for posting on this most interesting subject, complete with helpful link. I am reconsidering my cobs tack at the moment and shall definately return to your article. Best Wishes Angela
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Post by Dawn Perkins on Nov 13, 2012 21:01:58 GMT 1
I'm glad you found it helpful, Angela! And I believe you mentioned recently on another thread that you have made some headway recently with Jet? I would love to know what you think has helped him.
Best wishes, Dawn
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Post by angelac on Nov 14, 2012 13:50:35 GMT 1
Thanks for your interest Dawn. Its hard to summarize really, but I think major parts have been a change in my inner belief. I have always loved Jet, but within me was a grain of doubt about what he would do. He is certainly a complex little fellow with a less than ideal background. My MSC courses have enabled me to let go of this.
Avrils belief in not getting involved in the drama has been pivotal. I think I have mentally conveyed my unconditional love to him and I have been more calmly there for him when needed. I am less anxious about it going well and can readily accept there will be ups and downs. I have also come to realise that during our ridden years, I was silly to feel that I should be doing more. In truth it was great that we were out and about on our own and in the company of another horse. It could easily have been much worse. I think problems first hit when I didn't listen to my inner self. These realisations would never have come about without MSC and the reading Avril pointed to. The couse with Julia Felton was excellent too as it helped Jet to gain confidence in me.
I hope to be back on board soon, but I don't mind if this doesn't work out, as he is a lovely horse to have around. In truth he never did mind me being on his back, but he found it hard to hack out after moving house, plus I put him into a couple of situations he wasn't ready for. I think he somehow appreciates that I had the horse communicator and he also benefits from Blairs presence, as Blair is the Boss and he sees that on the whole, things don't bother him.
Well thats the guist of it Dawn. Sorry its a rather long answer and at that I'v probably missed stuff out. Best Wishes Angela
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Post by Dawn Perkins on Nov 14, 2012 14:46:34 GMT 1
I'm delighted to read your update, Angela! This is where I find Avril absolutely unique, in that she is able to tune in to her students as well as she tunes in to her horses. Instead of relying, as so many others do, on contraptions and restraints on the horses, she enables you to see how you need to examine yourself and then use that knowledge to build a better relationship with your horse. How fortunate that you (and Jet) and so many others have benefited from her wisdom, experience and generosity.
Of course, credit also goes to you for being open to looking at things in a new way! I've never owned my own pony but, if and when I do, its life will be so much better because of Avril and all that I have learned from her!
Best wishes, Dawn
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Post by angelac on Nov 15, 2012 13:17:03 GMT 1
Thank you Dawn. I hope you find your special four legged friend one day and yes your MSC experience will stand you in good stead. Best Wishes Angela
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Post by Dawn Perkins on Dec 8, 2012 10:50:06 GMT 1
I received the latest news blog from Cynthia Cooper this morning. It mainly relates to her demonstration of bitless riding and driving at the Equitana show in Australia. (I forgot to mention in previous blogs that one of the differences between bitted and bitless riding is that there should be a much looser, lighter contact on the reins when riding bitless. There is more of a lifting action than a pull.) However, there were a couple of other interesting items in the blog. Cynthia was impressed with the UK company Equi-Trek's range of rear-facing horse trailers and she also mentioned a handbook regarding the emergency rescue of horses (and other livestock) from traffic accidents and other life-threatening situations:- naturalhorseworld.com/blog/equitana-wrap-up/I shall be asking for the book for my Christmas present - and, of course, shall be purchasing it through the MSC link! Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year to everyone! Dawn Perkins
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Post by Dawn Perkins on Jul 13, 2013 8:27:34 GMT 1
I received an email blog update from Cynthia Cooper this morning. Although the most recent blog is about her current move to a larger property, I noticed the previous blog which, for some reason, I missed. I am pasting in the links to both - the first out of general interest and the second because it explains how to convert successfully to bitless riding. I think I have mentioned before that one of the reasons some people have difficulty with bitless bridles is that they tend to use the same level of rein contact that they do with bitted bridles. The blog is very helpful in explaining exactly how to use the reins to best effect:- naturalhorseworld.com/blog/moving-matters/naturalhorseworld.com/blog/bitless-riding-differences/Dawn Perkins
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Post by liz on Jul 13, 2013 16:06:06 GMT 1
Hi, Angelac. A friend of mine has an Equitrek and it has made all the difference to how her horse travels. She has the gorgeous Ryan who was once mine - I sold him to her just before I got Duke. Ryan always travelled well in either lorry or trailer but, for some reason, started panicking in her trailer and went down twice. She bought a small lorry in partnership with a friend and all was well. The day came when the friend decided she wanted to sell her share but Chloe couldn't afford to run a lorry alone. She decided to loan Ryan out but he was returned to her and so she bought an Equitrek. The horses face backwards in these trailers and he is back to his old self. I know of a few more people with tese trailers and haven't heard any negative comments so far. One lady brings her horses down to Somerset from Lancashire each year to stay with another friend of mine for a horsey holiday on the Quantocks!
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Post by Dawn Perkins on Jul 25, 2013 10:09:44 GMT 1
Hi Liz, I didn't realise at first that you were replying to my post! It is strange how some of the long-held practices in horse management are starting to be questioned more widely. I have just come across this website. I know nothing about the owner of the site but she is clearly committed and dedicated, having developed her own bitless bridle (as did Cynthia when she couldn't find one on the market which was gentle enough and gave enough release of pressure):- www.bitlesshorse.co.uk/about.htmlDawn Perkins
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Post by Dawn Perkins on Jul 25, 2013 13:01:19 GMT 1
I've just realised that the website I referred to in the above post is actually a new-look one for Wendy Wainwright, whom I have actually referred to before.
Dawn Perkins
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Post by Dawn Perkins on Aug 2, 2013 10:48:12 GMT 1
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Post by Dawn Perkins on Aug 2, 2013 10:49:49 GMT 1
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Post by Dawn Perkins on Aug 2, 2013 11:51:45 GMT 1
This is an interesting article with Mark Smith, who was instrumental in introducing bitless dressage and who has been lobbying tirelessly for riding bitless to be accepted in competition in the UK. Although he advocates riding bitless (correctly and with proper training for horse and rider), much of what he says is so similar to Avril's gentle, consistent, trust-orientated, method of training :- blog.troton.com/2010/06/bitless-not-brainless.htmlDawn Perkins
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