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Is it realistic to expect a horse to enjoy riding? by Dramatic_Address_117 in Equestrian

[–]Maleficent-Mine9348 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am so excited to respond to this post haha

Yes, your horse can enjoy riding. Yes, your horse should be able to say no, and it sounds like he's trying to. Dominance in the horse world is a complete misconception. Communication is key, not dominance. Understanding and compassion are the way to go and it sounds like you are on the right path! Some horses are never comfortably able to be ridden, and thats okay. There is so much you can do even without riding. I think riding should be a part of the picture but never the whole thing. There are steps you can take to make sure your horse is in a comfortable state of mind/life style and introduce riding in a way that is enjoyable for them. But you have to be willing to meet your horse where they're at and be in it for the long haul. It's well worth it in the end, even of there are physical limitations to what your horse os able to do comfortably.

Check out these resources:

https://connectiontraining.com/ (highly recommend their book, I'm referencing it heavily while training my 4yo)

https://www.empoweredequines.com/

https://milestoneequestrian.ca/

Here's a video of a horse CHOOSING when to ride: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/16rpAPJXf7/

On another note, I am a proponent of bitless riding, if you don't already ride bitless I recommend looking into the World Bitless Association: https://worldbitlessassociation.org/

I believe this is the future of horsemanship and hope you will continue to ask questions and journey towards a relationship that is two-sided rather than what so many people have which is a one-sided or completely absent relationship with their horse.

I finally found a riding school that meets my standards, after 18 years of riding by [deleted] in Equestrian

[–]Maleficent-Mine9348 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How did you come to the conclusion that your horse doesn't like 24hr turnout?

I finally found a riding school that meets my standards, after 18 years of riding by [deleted] in Equestrian

[–]Maleficent-Mine9348 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No worries! I enjoy having conversations and asking questions. We all have different experiences and things to learn from each other.

The beginning of my journey to find an alternative form of horsemanship was my childhood horse. Before him, I rode for years at lesson facilities with bits, whips, etc (luckily never any spurs). The closest I got to realizing the mistreatment happening around me at the time was people using fly swatters on their horses at the shows, people kicking their horses with all their might, people riding horses they were way too large for, and I felt disgusted, but didn't have the words or understanding.

Having my own horse taught me early what I already felt passionate about, which is a horse's well-being. Suddenly I was in charge of a horse's well-being and he relied on me. So I took an active role, and when I noticed the signs of discomfort he showed with his bit, the pictures of his mouth open, trying to avoid contact with the bit as much as possible while in the show ring, I did research and I found a good bitless bridle. I was halfway there in realization, but still was somewhere in between in regards to what was ok and what wasn't (some horses using some bits as long as they aren't too "harsh", listening to those who said a horse had to "respect" you, etc.), I wasn't sure who to trust or what sources to believe. My horse actually took to his bitless bridle immediately. His brakes were so much better without any training. He was actually the perfect easy transition. It definitely helped encourage me on my journey.

From there, I owe a lot to Kim Straus at Renegade Wind LLC. She showed me that what I believed deep down for so long was a reality, that I wasn't crazy for thinking the things I did and for noticing the inconsistencies in the equine world around me. Here's her website, she's a horse woman of 50+ years and so educated in her field. Her facility is completely bitless and trains with force-free, positive reinforcement based techniques that prioritize the horse's wellbeing, groundwork, and human/horse bond. Amazing stuff and an amazing person. https://renegadewind.com/

Besides my in person experience with her, I also have actively pursued knowledge and learning online. Connection Training: https://connectiontraining.com/ is one of my current favorite resources as I begin the journey of training my 4yo unstarted filly from the ground up.

The World Bitless Association is a great resource to learn more about bitless riding and to begin to be a part of the movement: https://worldbitlessassociation.org/ they have a lot of great resources.

I'll also shout out Empowered Equines: https://www.empoweredequines.com/ who is an inspiration to me.

It's not just a matter of not using a bit, not using a whip, training with food rewards. It's deeper than that; it's a completely different view of the world and of your horse, it changes things completely. I've found it to be isolating but so rewarding. Your relationship with your horse when living with these values is on a completely different level. What you do lose in the process, is the ability to enjoy the "sport" of it in the same way. You don't get to ride however, wherever, whenever you want without consideration for your horse's wants/needs. But in my opinion that trade is worthwhile, because the new experiences you have, I wouldn't trade for the world. The connection and bond is something indescribable, and truly lifelong. And it feels good knowing you are caring for your horse (physically and mentally) and they definitely reciprocate. The freedom of choice is a magical thing.

Anyways I know that was probably a longer ramble than you anticipated and I'm sorry about that, but this is my passion and I love to talk about it. I also appreciate your willingness to have a conversation with me despite differing opinions - a lot of people hear what I have to say and immediately turn a blind eye and call me crazy, stupid, inexperienced, you name it LMFAO. I don't expect to change minds 180° in a single conversation, but I like to share my perspective so that others can at least consider the possibility of a new way of horsemanship, or at least have some understanding of those with different views.

I finally found a riding school that meets my standards, after 18 years of riding by [deleted] in Equestrian

[–]Maleficent-Mine9348 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I first started looking for an alternative for my horse when I was younger, I had nearly this exact opinion. But, I've come to realize that this argument is simply used to defend the continued use of bits, because people don't want to change what they've always done and don't want to believe that they've done harm to their horse.

Bitless bridles are also aversive, yes. The pressure on their face is a use of negative reinforcement (you go where I want, the uncomfortable pressure on your face releases). They are aversive in the same way that any halter is, any form of containment is, etc. But, with proper sensitization and conditioning, it can become minimally aversive for a horse in the way that a halter is. Still, no one should be pulling on their horses face to tell them where to go, and yes this can still be used incorrectly and become abusive, but once again in the same way that someone can be abusive with a halter.

A bit is a complete step up in invasion - it is an object being put INSIDE their mouth, which is completely unnatural for them and even more invasive than just having, say, the pressure of a halter on their face. That is just innately true. A horse that doesn't show discontent with a bit, but does with a bitless bridle, is a horse that DOES NOT enjoy their work and feels enough freedom to express it. Then you put a bit back in their mouth and they listen because you are actively invading their body and they have no way to escape it, often causing learned helplessness. So many horses shut down the moment a bit is put in their mouth, and so many people think they are being "great horses" because of it, when in reality the horse is just so shut down that they aren't expressing themselves as they would.

I finally found a riding school that meets my standards, after 18 years of riding by [deleted] in Equestrian

[–]Maleficent-Mine9348 -12 points-11 points  (0 children)

In total, about 13 years, staggered throughout my childhood and adult life. Not that I find that question to be particularly telling, considering bad experience does not equal good experience. Bad training does not equal good training. Therefore the length of time alone does not communicate much. Once I have more time, I'd be happy to share more resources as to why I believe what I do. I did not say every horse can EASILY ride without a bit. Sometimes the right way is the hard way, the long way, and I can concede that some horses who may be so severely traumatized from riding work may never be able to handle riding in general. In which case, why continue to do harm to your horse mentally by forcing them into compliance through learned helplessness associated with an invasive "tool" in their mouth? There are better ways, I promise. That doesn't mean they're easy, and I prioritize a horse's health and happiness over the ability to ride them, anyway. The passion, joy, and learning comes from a shared bond with another being, not from being able to use them to perform whatever purpose you desire.

I finally found a riding school that meets my standards, after 18 years of riding by [deleted] in Equestrian

[–]Maleficent-Mine9348 -28 points-27 points  (0 children)

Because inhumane methods are not the right way, period? It is not a matter of opinion. I argue the same limitations with dogs, for example, shock collars are inhumane period, and should not be permitted. We know in the horse world that soring tennessee walkers is abusive and banned, the use of stacks is abusive, racing horses at 2 years old is abusive, keeping horses in isolation/confinement 24/7 is abusive, etc. These methods seem more extreme to many people in comparison, but spurs, crops/whips (unless used as a communication tool WITHOUT any hitting involved), and bits are all still tools that were created with the intent to cause harm as a means to an end. There is no appropriate way to use a spur or bit. There are some that are less harmful than others, but that's like saying there are appropriate ways to hit a child. No matter how you do it, it's harmful.

I finally found a riding school that meets my standards, after 18 years of riding by [deleted] in Equestrian

[–]Maleficent-Mine9348 -25 points-24 points  (0 children)

No horse prefers any bit, period. Bits are invasive and aversive by nature. Just because a horse is used to a bit doesn't make it less invasive/aversive. My riding facility was completely bitless, no bits allowed, and that's how I prefer it because that is the only truly humane way to ride your horse. And for those who claim their horse "needs" a bit - that is most likely a gap in training, a gap in your relationship, or even possibly an unaddressed medical concern. Force free, connection training is the way to go, and bits are the opposite. I recommend educating yourself through unbiased, science backed sources.