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Post by rideforever on Apr 20, 2016 19:41:04 GMT
I had a wonderful opportunity last night to participate in a Dale Myler bitting clinic. I have my horse leased to a lesson program. The owners of the barn know Dale pretty well and when he's in town, they try to set up little clinics. I just went to observe and learn; I didn't know Rue (my horse) would be on the list. And the organizer said, "you're riding, right?" Lol. I haven't been on her in months, due to my schedule, which is why she's leased in the first place.
Oh my she's a bit spoiled! She had a mini tantrum, because I didn't let her get away with any of the distractions she offered. Dale was great at explaining why he chose the different bit for her, how to use it, and how to help her adjust to the different feel. By the end of her time, she was coming on the bit much nicer and really softened
I liked how the bit felt in her mouth, and how it worked.
As I went past some of the audience, I heard someone say "I'm glad she's riding!" And they commented afterwards how nice it was that I stayed relaxed and didn't get upset with her. Awwwwww, how could I get upset with my pony? It's hard to go to work, when you'd rather take a vacation
So, to bring it to a discussion point, has anyone here tried Myler bits? What did you think?
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Post by jimmy on Apr 21, 2016 3:20:38 GMT
He manufactures and designs bits. He has the right bit for you. I don't think I have ever heard him say, I don't make a bit that will like!
I always say, you will always get a new feel in a new bit. Until it's not new, then your horse will feel like it did before. Because, you are working at the wrong end of the reins!
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Post by rideforever on Apr 21, 2016 6:21:14 GMT
Jimmy- I'm not exactly sure how to take your comment.
In my horse's case, she's been ready for a transition to a shanked bit for awhile, I just haven't had the time to step her up into a bridle. Having an expert in bitting give his opinion was too good of an opportunity to give up
Now, you sounded a little cynical about my ability to help this horse make a change. And that's fine, you've never seen me ride.
Good news is, the only opinion that's going to matter in the long run is what my horse thinks.
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Post by rideanotherday on Apr 21, 2016 11:11:14 GMT
Ohhhhhhh the pretty yellow mare had to actually work??
She's been living the life of ease being rode by beginners (lesson horse life!). It's a good thing she got reminded of the working life. I kinda miss her.
I've never really understood the fascination with Myler bits. They do seem to have somewhat of a cult following. I think Dale does a good job of having "something for everything". I have a different philosophy on bits and progression.
I do agree that it was MORE than time for her to be moved forward into a big girl bit. She's got all the tools to be ready for it, even if she's a bit on the lazy side. Long reins and spurs to help her find her "forward" and discourage the tantrum. I would also get her long trotting for a while ahead of time to get her huffing pretty good, so she's ready to negotiate terms. You know.
I do think, if I were you, I'd be carving out time to continue her path to being in the bridle.
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Post by horseguy on Apr 21, 2016 13:30:00 GMT
Jimmy- I'm not exactly sure how to take your comment. In my horse's case, she's been ready for a transition to a shanked bit for awhile, I just haven't had the time to step her up into a bridle. Having an expert in bitting give his opinion was too good of an opportunity to give up Now, you sounded a little cynical about my ability to help this horse make a change. And that's fine, you've never seen me ride. Good news is, the only opinion that's going to matter in the long run is what my horse thinks. I do not read anything personal in what Jimmy has written. I see sound generalities that apply to all of us equally. I have used a lot of bits. Mid way through my career I got very interested in bits and collected over 100. Eventually, I found that only a few were necessary. I think an intense bit focus is a stage in an equestrian's development that they must go through. The fellow who gave the clinic may have enjoyed that place in the progression of his equestrian growth and made a business of it. I am OK with that. We all need bits. But bits are never a "magic bullet". I think that might be what Jimmy is saying. We have a saddle fitter around here who is pretty good at convincing horse owners that saddle fitting is a "magic bullet". This person makes good money at it. Sometimes a saddle can fit better. So I am OK with that too up to a point. But in the end, we need to ride in unity with our horses. If there is a "magic bullet" that is it, being one. I am always reminded of a British military observer who came to America to study the Indian Wars. He described the Sioux as, "the best light cavalry the world has ever seen". He went on to describe their tack as nearly non-existent, a blanket across the horse's back and a rawhide loop in their mouth with a single rein. It's in the unity, and the seat is where the horse and rider meet and connect, not in the mouth.  |
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Post by rideanotherday on Apr 21, 2016 13:44:34 GMT
Most people don't have enough balance or coordination to just ride with a blanket and a jawstrap. Most. Some people just amaze me with what they can get done.
I saw a pick up man at a rodeo riding with just a jawstrap. I was impressed, given the high stress job.
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Post by jimmy on Apr 21, 2016 13:50:33 GMT
I would remember that Myler is not a horse trainer. He is a bit maker. I think while he is giving clinics in biting, it is an important point to remember. He is not suggesting using any other bit than Myler bits. One thing I can say is that they are not cheap bits, and are well made. But I think he has only added to the chaos.
The term "transition bit" did not exist until very recently. If you turn to history, you see the cavalry used double bridles.
Double bridles have been used for several centuries, I think. I don't know for sure.
In California,of course, the transition was from a hackamore, to a bosalita with a spade bit. There were variations of spades, but that was pretty much it.
My feeling is that there is a direct correlation between the myriad of bits offered today, and the lack of advanced knowledge of riding and training. I think it shows we (Americans) are lost as to how to progress. We get our horses going fine. A classical trainer from Portugal I know spoke to told me about how he thought we were the best in the world when it came to starting horses under saddle, and taming horses, but after that, we don't know what to do. We continue to ridethem at a very fundamental stage. We know how to use a snaffle, and we wear the snaffle out, because we don't know any better, and then say,what do we do now? We have now excepted going into these "transition bits" as the norm.The problem, I feel, is that we might be experts at fundamentals, but not educated enough, with enough history of higher schools, to take it further. So, we are focusing on the mechanics of bits. Which is why the more bits myler comes out with, the more I shake my head. Just my personal bias.
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