I would like to get some advice on which is better to start a young horse, a bosal or snaffle. I really want to start my two year old with a bosal but I am hearing some trainers say to first start with the snaffle then switch them to a bosal. I would like some more advice/direction on this so any comments would be appreciated. I have been double long lining with the dually and thought to transition into a bosal would provide a positive start for my mare.
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A very soft pliable bosal.
I agree with Paul - my horses are bitless and it is a great way to go. Ensure your groundwork training and communication is very good and you will never regret or look back from riding bitless. Best of luck with your young one. Jan
Thanks so much for your feedback! Greatly appreciated, I am going to forge ahead with the bosal!:)
I am sure you will be happy with this decision - just take time to ensure they understand flexion, yielding, backing and correct leading from the ground first and you will do well. It is truly a wonderful way to ride and the horses are incredibly relaxed. Best wishes Jan
Al Dunning has a great book on the bosal tradition
We start all our young horses in bosal and ride most of them in it all their lives. We do trailrides and horse trekking, also with tourists. I can only agree with the former answers, take enough time until you feel that the horse has really got the idea of yielding to pressure on the nose and neck.In the end it all depends on the riders hands, of course, but of you have nice hands..why put a bit in if it is not necessary?
I'm happy just using a Dully Halter
Hi
I am riding my horse (6 year old, gelding, 1.75 m and quite strong) since beggining only with side pull!
He accepts also snaffle bits from other riders but I prefere to ride him without snaffle. To ride a horse
you need basicly only your body and legs. The hands are only as emergency brake!
Why steel in mouth of the horse when it works also without! And the young horses change the teeths exactly in the period of starting riding them and so you have no change to injury them if you make something wrong with the hands!
But the ground work with the horse must be done and be continued permanently!
let us hear about your progress!
I have started several horses using Monty's Dually ncluding my wild mustang and I continue to ride him in it and have never used a bit of any kind. Currently at the stable I board at the Dually is used exclusively on 12 horses including retrained Throughbreds, Mustangs, Tenn-walkers, Arabians, Saddlebred,Draft and several Quarter Horses.
Hi guys! I have backed and ridden away my mare in the dually. She loves it and being only 3 I wanted her to be nice a sensitive knowing that if she threw in a sharp one she wouldn't be jabbed in the mouth. Everyone at my yard thinks I'm mad as my girl is 16.2hh and a medium weight cob but she has never bolted and even when in a very high stress traffic situation we reared and bucked but even after I got off she never put any pressure on the dually and stayed with me. Albeit eyes rolling into her head... Anyway suffice to say I love it and as she hasn't had her wolf teeth out yet she's more comfortable in it. I read an interesting article on the training of the Spanish dressage horses many years ago and they didn't bit them until after they were partially trained and performing basic moves to encourage a full workout along the back and self carriage. As Milenco says you don't need hands really only as back up! Best to teach your horse to listen to your bottom and legs for the aids!