Bits and no Bits

So here's the situation...

I ride Jazz with a bit; most of the time at least. I don’t know why but it’s just the fact that it is there. I prefer to not ride with the bit due to the fact that Jazz is pretty head-strong and I find myself pulling on the reins too much, causing me to pull on the bit which is probably hurting him.

It’s my own preference with the bit and without the bit. To me, I prefer no bit but that doesn’t mean I don’t use it… mainly because I forget to take it off the bridle…

The thing is, a lot of people think that riding a horse on the bit is good and the bit is how you control the horse.

Nope.

Your legs, voice, and gestures should be the ones controlling the horse.

I know of someone who yanked on the reins too much that it tore the horses mouth because of the metal bar in it.

That’s a hard thing to do, but not too hard if you think that your legs are just there to whack the horse in the stomach and hope for the best, and that the reins are the key to go and stop.

The point of riding bitless is that your horse is more comfortable and that one step closer to being ‘natural’ and happy of course! Honestly, how would you feel if you had a large metal bar in your mouth and someone was sitting on your back yanking the hell out of it. It would be pretty painful and you’d want that person to stop right away. Maybe that’s the reason why your horse is rearing and kicking… not because he’s naughty, but because you’re hurting his mouth. The mouth is a sensitive area and I’m pretty sure that it would be nicer if it weren’t torn up with the constant yanking.

I am a culprit of owning a bit and riding with one... and this post probably makes no sense… But I am trying to say that bits aren’t the greatest option when riding but my opinion shouldn’t stop you from not using it. Just use it carefully and don’t control the horse with the bit because he probably won’t enjoy it.

No bits? It’s great, you don’t have to worry about the terrible thought of tearing your horses mouth open anymore. Yea that’s all I got.

Honestly, I ride both ways. Bit or no bit. As long as I am not yanking on the reins and hurting Jazz’s mouth, I will continue to ride with a bit… I just like that I can count on Jazz without one too.

So have a go without a bit for once. You never know, your horse might just like you that little bit more for being able to ride a day without a metal bar in its mouth.

What are your thoughts on bits? Tell me in a comment below!

The First Post!

Woah! What is this? Where am I? Oh right, it's the internet. Hi, my name is Jaimi and I am starting this blog to share my thoughts, tips, tricks and opinions on anything related to horses!

Why am I starting this? Because I feel like it, haha!

First of all, the big question. Yes, I have a horse! He is a beautiful 16.2hh thoroughbred gelding turning 10 this August! My baby Jazz <3 He's a bit cheeky but I love him to bits and he has taught me so much during the long 6 years of owning him.

What about me you say? Welp, I am 16 this May (26th) and am 100% in love with animals. Horses are at the top and I would do anything for them. I began taking riding lessons at age 7 until I was 12 and a half, because riding lessons became far too expensive, the fuel to go drive out and see him at the equestrian park was heaps, plus I had to pay for boarding Jazz and pay for feed and millions of other things. I know, there are no excuses... I'm a terrible person for my millions of excuses for quitting lessons, but honestly I think it was for the better. Now he is closer to me (he is being adgisted) and I have more money to spend on the baby... lot of carrots for Jazz-a-roony. He was a straight off the track race horse which I was lucky to get for free because my Opa owned him ^-^ However there came the 100's of vet bills and long hours of re-training and the feed and the amount of times he jumped out and broke fences... Oh the pain! But I loved him no matter what. Even when I have to stand there for hours a day just trying to brush the massive knot out of his gorgeously long and beautiful tail :(
Anyways, I believe that Jazz taught me more about horses then any trainer ever had. Of cause I could use some lessons, and I have been to the riding club down the road a few times, however, it won't stop me from trying something my way and learning from my mistakes... without costing some broken limbs on me or Jazz of course. Funny, first time I broke my arm was falling off a bike not a horse... Skills!

Continuing on, I watch a lot of online tutorials, hear from other trainers, read millions of magazines and books and of course I have a lot of horse-lover friends of mine, in which I hear their opinions 24/7. I'm not saying I am a genius or a master or that anyone should forget what they have been taught and listen to me. Just, hear my opinion and maybe tell me yours because guess what, I don't know everything about horses or horse things or people for that matter, but I do love to learn more about these incredible animals and maybe more about training and riding and natural horsemanship which I have been trying to get into lately.

So this is where it begins. This is how it starts. Lets get going shall we!?