From: Stacie, equus3n@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 21 Jan 2003
I don't agree with 5lbs of feel in the reins. Any time we teach the
horse to yield to pressure we have to make sure the horse accepts any
pressure first. If we ask for flexions too soon, or incorrectly, the
horse will learn to avoid the bit. Contact with the bit is not a bad
thing! Slack in the reins does not mean the horse is light. And a
lack of slack does not mean the horse is heavy either. What the
former poster was describing is an approach that emphasises
acceptance of contact... what the 'flexions' people are emphasizing
is yielding. Too much emphasis on yield without accepting contact to
begin with will cause a horse to avoid and pull back away from the
bit, too much emphasis on contact teaches a horse to push through.
Its the middle of the two that is the correct answer.
When I was assisting a lot at L1 and L2 clinics in our area, it was
common to see those new to the program suddenly exclaim in joy how
marvelous it was that when they reached out to touch the horse and
play porky, they didn't even need to touch the horse at all.... I
hated to burst their bubble, but they weren't winning the game at
all. In fact they were losing the previous game! Rub THEN press then
rub again. If you reach out for the horse and it moves away, you
lost the game. If you pick up the reins and the horse tucks its chin
away from the contact of the bit, you lost the friendly game. When
you pick up the reins and the horse arches its neck and stretches its
nose to meet the feel of the bit, then you are on the right track.
Lida 6:07 AM
