It is often said that, “The Bit is the Key to the Horse”. Whom exactly Dr Bristol is or was is a little bit of a mystery however the what is being stated here is very important. In a slightly less succinct way one should look at horse bits as the “signal switching station” of the horse What I mean by that is that for the horse to do what is desired one needs to send specific signals to different parts of the horse. It is the bit and its attachments which take the “signals” from the rider’s hands and “switches” them to the target areas.

The large variety of how you indicate to a horse to do the rider’s will is born out by the very wide range of horse bits on the marker. The different types, styles and variations to these horse bits are there specifically to create a signal to a part of the horse.

One must not forget the importance of other signalling tools such as the rider’s legs and seat generate important signals, but it is the horse bit both directly and indirectly via the bridle that gives the most flexibility in getting the horse and rider working as a team.

Remember the fundamental thing is that horse bits are designed to work by creating pressure on these specific points of the horse and most certainly not pain. Always treat the animal with the greatest respect and review your own riding abilities and horse bit selection first, rather than immediately attributing any riding problems to the horse. Under no circumstances should you attempt to fix an issue by increase the amount of pain you inflict!

So what are the points of the horse that take the signals from the bit?

The tongue : some bits are broken in the centre such as a jointed pelham bit. These types of bit have a so called “nutcracker effect” squeezing the toungue and grabbing the horse’s attention .

The roof of the mouth – the bits mentioned earlier can work on the horse’s roof of mouth. As the bit breaks at its centre the point of what you can think of as an upside down ‘v’ shape can stab into the roof of the mouth so grabbing the horse’s attention.

The bars – the bit mouthpiece sits on the gums or “bars” of the horse’s mouth,  This is the space behind the front incisors and before the molars.  A simple straight mouth snaffle works simply by applying pressure in this area.

The lips – the horse’s lips can be contacted by the horse bit. Some more severe horse bits with chain mouths pull into the sides of the mouth providing quite a stiff signal. Such mouth pieces are often exibited in gag style bits. Only very soft hands should be needed with this sort of bit.

The poll : a sensitive area on the horse’s head between or just behind the line of the ears. It provides a point of focus for the horse bit and bridle that can modify the horse’s behaviour.  When the bit is engaged with the reins the bridle or more accurately the crown piece of the bridle pulls down on the poll. The poll and its position is also a useful guide to how well the horse is working with the bit. As a specific example in classical dessage the poll should be observed to be the highest point on the horse when all is well.

The variety of effects of the horse bit are numerous. By understanding such effects achieved by the horse bit and bridle the relationship between horse and rider can be refined .  Sometimes your needs may require that you look at custom horse bits for your solution. But be sure to seek advice.

Horse racing is probably one of the oldest sports still practices today, ever since the chariot races so much adored by the Romans. The thrill of the game, the chances involved and of course the possibility to win a nice sum of money all represent positive adjectives for those interested in horse betting.

The advent of the Internet has managed to transform horse racing betting into a much more interesting process, with higher profits and advantages. Today, with a computer, a high-speed Internet connection and a reliable online horse racing betting system, a lot of people are able to enjoy their passion and turn it into a profitable deal.

Online horse betting is nowadays something else due to the groundbreaking software applications used. These automated systems do all the work for you when it comes to horse race betting and do a pretty good job. They are delivered by experienced professionals, wishing to provide a functional horse betting strategy and a greater possibility to predict horse races to a large extent.

For many people, this idea of online horse racing system seems sugarcoated and not many have the courage to try it on their own. Still, the reliability and efficiency of these new software applications can be easily proven especially as they provide a success rate of 86%. If you are looking for substantial profits on sports betting and especially horse racing betting, then do not be afraid to try a program that has a high strike rate and which is very efficient.

A HYIP program represents much more than betting sports tips. Basically, it stands for a secure staking plan, offering one the opportunity of fairly large profits and a chance to enjoy one of the most popular sports in the world. Perhaps the biggest advantage is the software-bot that allows you to spend your time freely, without worrying about missing any important event.

If you too are into betting sports but you still have go to work every day, then a betting bot is perfect for you. After you start the application all you have to do is to choose your preferences or settings and that’s it. You can do whatever you want while the software will record all of your day’s events, with plenty of details of the races. With such a program, betting profits are just a step away.

The key word for betting online horse racing systems is simplicity. It is both suitable for beginners and experienced players, having a real high strike rate and many more advantages. With the membership, you will receive day-to-day selections on your email and if you do decide for the complete subscription, then you will also get the software bot.

Registered members also receive complete support and an immediate response to any question. With a HYIP Racing System, you will quickly realize the immense potential of horse betting and attribute your winnings to effective horse betting strategies. Keep in mind that online horse betting is much more than placing our bets and hoping to win. It is all about strategy and using a system that functions to your own advantage. Do a thorough search on the Internet and go for the program that is reliable and allows you to discover all the secrets of horse racing betting.

The bit truly is the key to the horse. The relationship between horse and rider can be complex and many riders jump too quickly to conclusions regarding their riding problems . Horses are personalities in their own right and how you successfully control them, whether in horse racing, show jumping or just a sunday afternoon ride is not just about the bit. It is how you, your horse and the bit work together. Don’t forget it might be you that is the problem and not the horse. In this article we will review what different horse bits bring to this relationship, and how to make that relationship successful .

When considering the partnership between the rider and the horse the bit is essential to the success of that relationship , and finding the right bit for the job can be a challenge and often relying on luck in the end .

By correlating what you observe in your horse’s behaviour with the variety of bit features , one can become more confident about the bit you choose, however perfectly categorising horse bits and their specific function is difficult.  Many of the features of horse bits are often mixed together to form new varieties, however for our purposes in this article we will create some broad definitions that will form the basis of future discussion.

What follows is a brief overview of horse bit types.

Snaffles are known as direct pressure bits. When the rider pulls on the rein, the same amount of force is transmitted directly to the horse bit . This style of bit is particularly useful when training a new horse but it can be used at anytime.

Curbs bits are different to snaffles and rely on leverage . The physical construction of the bit is designed to generate leverage and multiplies the pressure applied by the rider . The longer the bit shank or cheek length the more force will be generated . Due to this leverage effect and potential discomfort to the horse, curbs are best used in the hands of a more experienced rider whom has developed a controlled touch.

“Combo Bits” .  The snaffle and curb effect can be found in one bit with some bits such as Pelhams and Gags.

To complement these basic principles of horse control there are a wide variety of bit attributes giving great flexibility to the knowledgeable rider looking to address particular issues with their horse.  As an example the swales 3-in-1 bit offers a number of combinations of features.  The swales is popular with riders with strong horses.  This controlling force is applied through a curbing action and can be varied by choosing a specific shank length.

One can also choose different materials for the bit, for example copper offers a affect that encourages the horse to salivate and may help the horse be more responsive to the bits action. Whereas a rubber bit is a gentler bit and often a good option for the younger horse as they are learning to correctly respond to the will of the rider and the action of the bit.

A stronger bit might subsequently be necessary if the rubber bit is loosing its effect such as when the horse gets bigger or more canny.  Having said that when the horse works well with the soft bit do not feel you must change as the horse gets older. As the saying goes “if it aint broke dont fix it” which is often a good philosophy with horses .

Modifying port height in the bit is another variable you might consider. The height of the port can allow more room for the tongue but when the reins are pulled more force is put on the horse’s palate e.g. High Port Pelham. So in this case very careful evaluation of your requirements is recommended so that you do not injure your horse .

To summarise one can physically control the horse with direct or indirect force. Also the bit can be modified to provide more or less force depending on the horse.  The behaviour of the horse can be affected by adjustments to the mouth piece form and even what it is made from e.g. copper or rubber.

In future articles we will look at some typical horse and rider problems that can be addressed by using different bit forms.  However remember your horse is a animal that deserves love and respect and one should not simply apply general rules in a prescriptive way .  Your horse cannot talk but he is definitely trying to help you solve your problem.

There are several items that are considered as equestrian horse tack, counting the breastplates, bridle, girth, halter, harnesses, lead ropes, martingale, saddle pad, and stirrup.  Nevertheless, the saddle perhaps is the chief and most expensive tack investment you will make. 

 
Getting a used dressage saddle will greatly reduce the amount you will have to spend and will frequently let you to have a better quality piece than you could in all probability afford if you were restricted to getting only new items. There are on the other hand, things you should bear in mind if you are going this direction.

Prepare. Select in advance the brand and model names of the saddle you would like to get.  Check forums and blogs for the opinions of others who have or have had the brand and model saddle you are interested in. Talk to friends and acquaintances who might know something about the saddles you are interested in.  Its not possible to be sure you’re making the best saddle choice, however by discussing the one you have chosen with those who have owned them in the past you will have a better idea. 

Get the information you need. Once you begin your search, you will want to know the age, condition, flap length, seat size, tree size, and any other special features of the saddles you discover. If a seller does not make available this information, move on to another saddle.  If you are purchasing online, you will want photos of the saddle from all possible angle.

Compare pricing. There are a lot of saddles offered for purchase. The seller needs customers more than the customers needs any one seller.  So the burden should be on the seller to make available the information you need to make your choice and to have his saddle priced competitively. If you are bidding online for a saddle, make sure the seller has a rating of 98-99% and has a number of past auctions.

If you are looking for used equestrian horse tack or used dressage saddles, visit http://www.equestrian-accessories.com/.

The majority of horse bits follow the principle of either direct pressure or leverage pressure.  The Pelham bit offers in principle the best of both worlds.  However the Pelham is not necessarily having all your Christmases at once, and like all horse bit choices it requires some careful evaluation of what the problem actually is that you are trying to solve, and what type of bit or attribute of a bit might help address that problem.

Just for some simple background horse bits most commonly are divided into two types. Snaffles are what are called direct pressure bits where force is applied directly to the bit and on to the horse. Curbs bits are leverage bits where the force is applied via reins to cheek pieces that act as levers so a stronger horse can in theory be controlled by the same forces used with a Snaffle. It is much better to avoid using the term “control” when discussing how best to ride your horse.  Consider using the term “signaling” instead. . In other words the horse does what you want him to do happily because during your training together your have instilled in your horse that specific signals created by specific rein control require that the horse does specific things.  Considering the concept of signals therefore, sometimes one needs to switch to a stronger signaling mechanism for certain situations.  The vast majority of the time good snaffle use is sufficient to keep the horse in line but now and again the extra leverage of a Curb would just bring the horse back on track.

A common solution to this is to fit a double bridal such as a weymouth and bradoon, where the weymouth provides the Curb mechanism and the bradoon is the Snaffle part.  Separate reins are attached to the two separate bits and are used independently.

There can be an obvious problem here with the sheer amount of metal or rubber you are expecting the horse to comfortably accommodate in their mouth.  Do not go down the road of sourcing these two bits with very narrow wire mouthpieces just so they fit. This is potentially cruel. Again review why you are needing the curb feature of a Pelham at all and if necessary look at different varieties of snaffles or possibly a mild curb bit.

The solution to this issue can be the Pelham bit. It provides in one unit the features of a snaffle and a curb bit.  The direct force of a snaffle can be achieved with one set of reins via the single mouth piece and the “1% of the time” stronger signalling achieved via the curb rein again via the single mouth piece.

All the features that one may look for in individual snaffles and curb bits can be obtained in a good quality Pelham such as high port pelham, copper mouth pieces or longer cheek lengths.  If you are looking to “upgrade” from a Snaffle try going for one similar to the Snaffle you currently use.  Consider also going for a slightly softer mouth piece to begin with as don’t forget the Pelham will be curbing the horse and the force may be a lot more than he is currently used to . However don’t necessarily expect the Pelham to work identically to the equivalent double bridal as the Pelham is a slight compromise.

As usual we make our final point.  Riders need to apply common sense and the needs of the horse must be paramount according to its individual circumstances.  Be the best rider you can be first and don’t try and address lack of your own riding ability with a silver bullet horse bit!

The love between man and horse has continued for centuries.   There are many reasons man love horses, but companionship appears to be the main reason.   Horses are bred for a specific purpose.  Did you know that there are over a hundred horse breeds in the world?  There actually may even be some of which we are still not yet aware.   So many breeds of horses exist, but for the most horses fall into 3 main categories, pony, light, or heavy horses.

The smallest horses are the ponies.   Ponies are characterized by their mild temperaments and easy manageability, they make more suitable pets for children.   Ponies may be very small in their stature, but some are as strong as large horses, they can carry adult riders, and pull large, heavy loads.  Don’t let the small size of the pony fool you, they can often carry large riders and pull heavy loads.

Light horses are larger than the pony.   The light horse has longer legs, making it faster and taller than the pony.   Because of their looks, they appear to be a finer horse. Some well known light horse breeds would include the Arabian, Morgan, Appaloosa, Standard bred, Thoroughbred, and Quarter Horse. Due to their vast positive features, they are often used for riding and racing, as well as other purposes.

The popularity of the heavy horses is less than the other groups, but this type of horse is none the less valuable. These are ideal for work on farms and have been used in the past for war and carrying heavy loads and equipment. Good training and strength are required when dealing with the heavy horses. In the heavy horse category, we have the Clydesdale, Shire, and Lipizzaner.

There is a type of horse that is going to meet your need, no matter what it is. All the horses, I have described here are going to make wonderful pets for those willing to offer them your time and care.

One of the most famous race horses in history was born on March 29, 1917 in Lexington, Kentucky.  The owner was August Belmont, son of the famous influential banker for whom the Belmont Stakes, and Belmont Park in New York was named.  Belmont had carefully prepared for the colt by breeding from pedigreed Arabian stock on the sire’s side to the most respected English stock on the dam’s. But his plans were put on hold because America had entered World War I which engrossed the world and Belmont, at age 65, volunteered to serve.  He was sent to France by the U.S. Army, his duties included preparing mules for the service.  Belmont’s wife named the new foal “My Man O’ War” in honour of her husband.  As the war dragged on, Belmont wired home for his wife to sell the 1917 string of yearlings including Man O’ War, (”My” had been dropped.)

Samuel Riddle of Glenn Riddle, Pa. purchased several yearlings from Mrs Belmont including Man O’ War.  Riddle was a textile tycoon and relatively new to big time racing but he was immediately impressed by the attitude and look of the big chestnut colt.  His intuition would not go unnoticed.  He had the colt shipped by train to the Riddle farm in Worcester County, Maryland.  By the spring of 1919 the blinding speed that Big Red, (as he had been nicknamed), was setting in his training times suggested to Riddle that he had acquired a remarkable horse.

In his first official race of 1919, Man O’ War won so easily in a field of outstanding young racehorses that his jockey was standing up in the irons looking back at the field as he crossed the finish line.  Where ever the big colt raced that year he won, and it is reported that he crushed existing North American records.  In one race at Belmont Park in 1920 he won by 100 lengths! His presence guaranteed unprecedented attendance for he seemed to electrify racing fans. Security had to constantly protect the horse against fans trying to pull keepsake hairs from his body, while constant threats on his life made it necessary to hire detectives to guard him at all times.  At one time, Riddle was offered a signed blank check by a Texas millionaire to be made out in any amount for the big horse.  Riddle refused to sell. He didn’t run him in the Kentucky Derby for training reasons but later that year, he easily beat the winner of the Derby as well as winning the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes.

Man O’ War went on to win every race he was ever entered in except one, establishing records that stood until the invention of the aluminum horse shoe and the changing of the race track surface.  The only race that he ever lost was ironically to a horse named Upset, though he went on to convincingly beat this horse several times thereafter.  This is where the term “it’s an upset” came from. That one loss is surrounded by mystery and subtle hints of possible wrong doing on the part of the track officials.  His last official race was run in October of 1920 after Riddle had decided it would hurt the horse to have to carry the increasing handicap weight that was assigned to him.  In this last race, he easily ran away from the winner of the 1919 Triple Crown in a match race.

In retirement, Man O’ War continued to set records by siring champions.  Of the almost 400 foals that he sired, more than 200 of them became champions in their own right.  Two of the more famous were Battleship, who won the English Grand National Steeplechase, and War Admiral, who was the 1938 Triple Crown winner.  He died of a heart attack in 1947 at Riddle’s Faraway Farm in Kentucky, at thirty years old.

Across from the farm is a narrow dirt road called Holly Grove.  About a half mile down this country lane one will find what is left of a former railroad.  The tracks are gone now.  Holly Grove is shaded by forests of gum, oak and holly trees.  If one stops their car and gets out they will immediately be struck by the stillness.  In the quiet one can imagine a train of long ago arriving and large numbers of local people gathering to watch the arrival of the champions and the new foals.  High spirited thoroughbred horses, each carefully handled by its own groom were led down the ramps while trainers nervously looked on.  The whole procession would start the short walk towards the farm along the sandy road with the grooms quietly talking to the horses to put them at ease.  Each year the number of people who witnessed this annual event grows smaller.  Soon only the trees will remain.  The Riddle heirs reportedly have recently sold the 1500 acre training farm with its one mile racing oval to Arizona investors.  Permits are presently being processed for a planned community complete with golf course and marina on the adjacent creek.  Man O’ War and the Glen Riddle Farm will be remembered however as true gems of the rich heritage of Worcester County, Maryland.

Addressing a problem often requires some sort of 2 way communication between the parties. Speak the wrong language and problem resolution will be difficult or even impossible.  Fixing problems related to animals such as horses brings on a whole new challenge, just ask any vet.

Man has been riding horses for hundreds of years and getting the most from the horse has always been a challenge. For professionals that train and race horses they have systems to ensure the horse can reach its full potential. However for the average horse owner they often don’t have luxury of training a horse from a very young age. A lot of horses are pre-owned and not only are you inheriting the horse you are inheriting the fall out of possible bad habits of the previous owner.

Fixing your horse problems mayrequire a little behaviour analysis and  sometimes the odd bit of bribery to get your way.

One of the most important aspects of riding is choosing horse bits. The communication between the rider and the horse often relies on trial and error to arrive at a satisfactory outcome and there is a whole catalog of horse behaviours that are considered problematic. Some of these are often attributable to the wrong bit. Shaking their head, refusing to take the bit, clenching their teeth, being unresponsive due to hard mouths often caused by poor bit choice or riding skills of the previous owner. Maybe the horse has teeth problems so a trip to the dentist may be necessary.

Bit based behaviour issues are addressable. Or at least one should strive to address the common issues. If he refuses the bit maybe you need to try a little cunning. There are a few stories of wrapping the bit’s mouth piece in a “fruit roll” or covering it with molasses so that the horse associates the bit with pleasure and not pain! You cannot yet buy fruit flavoured horse bits but you can buy sweet iron bits that some horses love. If he just seems to hate the bit then the bit might not be the right bit.  Is it the wrong size? Are you guilty of “over bitting” your horse where for example the shanks on a curb bit for example are to long and just generating too much force even if you ride with light hands. Based on how light your hands are and how much control you need to get the horse to respond, choose your curb bit carefully .

Check that bit width is correct, there should be at least a half an inch clearance on each side. Check that the bit is not pinching the sides of the horse’s mouth and it should sit loosely in the horse’s mouth after letting down the cheek pieces. Bit guards are an option to reduce this chaffing.

Be aware of the effects of broken bits such as the jointed pelham bit where the bit breaks in the centre.  You can also get a nutcracker effect by squashing the tongue and also even hiting the roof of the mouth. These bits are ideal for some horses but not all. Don’t forget the horse may not just be a problem when you pull on the reins. Think about it, if you were expecting a painful jolt at any time whilst you were running around wouldn’t you be somewhat distracted.

If you have the luxury of trying different bits out then do so but also be sure to follow the basic rules. Start of simple with basic snaffles and take it from there. If you are dealing with engrained issues in a pre-owned horse then thinking outside of the box might be the only way to go.

Why do folks train their horses? What are the issues that the trainer needs to contemplate before and throughout the coaching stage? What are the best horse training tips? These are only a few of the questions that a horse coach or a horse owner needs to answer or know of before the “instructing” begins.

Training a horse is definitely not an easy task. It takes hard work, willpower, patience and of course it’s best to have the skill. Treat your horse as a human being and act as a herd leader; these are surefire horse training tips that may result in a successful learning.

Horses are being trained for recreation and sports. Some are being prepared for a film stunt, circus act, equine-assisted psychotherapy, etc. With the ability to know the purpose of the coaching is important so you’ll be able to gauge the essential methods that your horse should learn. Subsequently, a trainer has to know the tools that may help him or her in the process. For extra advanced methods, it would be best to hire an professional this field.

If you are looking or trying to find horse training suggestions, there are several books and magazines accessible out there today. There are even some that concentrates on instructing wild horses, horses used for racing, etc. The internet can also be a good venue for researching.

After you have discovered the coaching techniques that you need to use, the following factor to do is put together your horse for learning. Creating camaraderie between the trainer and the animal is very important, most especially because you are coping with another type of being.

Ultimately, the key towards a profitable coaching is to have patience, self-control and determination. As soon as you are able to create a bond between you and the horse, learning becomes simpler and extra enjoyable.

Horse training is a serious matter. Some people spend an entire lot of money simply to get the perfect horse coach in town. However what you probably have no extra money to spend and also you need to train your horse? The subsequent question could be what are the best horse training tips?

First, it’s important to create a strong communication method that you would be able to use. Since horses don’t understand the human language, you can start off by utilizing single or easy words. Next you may couple these phrases with hand alerts and gestures. Repeat and reiterate so the horse can grasp the first lessons that you’re teaching. Like people, it’s best to develop a kind of bond between each other. This fashion, your horse can understand the message that you are placing across. Third, do not pressure or put your horse below hectic conditions. It will absolutely trigger a retort. Fourth, every horse is different. They have varying studying capabilities. Fifth, never drive, whip, whirl, kick or strike your horse during training. You will certainly get an equally destructive reaction. Not solely that, your horse would possibly simply surrender on studying, putting to waste all of your efforts. In the learning process, you could additionally learn how to identify when your horse has a problem or if it does not feel well.

Training a horse is definitely not an easy task. It takes arduous work, willpower, patience and naturally you need to have the skill. Treat your horse as a human being and act as a herd chief; these are surefire horse training tips that will result in a successful learning.

In case you are trying or trying to find horse training tips, there are a number of books and magazines available out there today. There are even some that concentrates on instructing wild horses, horses used for racing, etc. The web is also a great venue for researching.