tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post4965248856572299841..comments2024-03-26T05:15:39.663-07:00Comments on Equestrian Ink: Why Do We Do It? By Janet HuntingtonJami Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05259390150273030284noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-20994787378687163752009-02-16T17:12:00.000-08:002009-02-16T17:12:00.000-08:00And we're excited right with you !And we're excited right with you !KDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06062208340163864225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-17256884763281753522009-02-15T10:42:00.000-08:002009-02-15T10:42:00.000-08:00I'll check it out.I'll check it out.Jami Davenporthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05259390150273030284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-55390781722494618282009-02-15T10:19:00.000-08:002009-02-15T10:19:00.000-08:00Jami, you should read the discussion going on on J...Jami, you should read the discussion going on on Janet's mugwump chronicles blog right now about "questionable practices" in dressage. Its fascinatingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-48662461074628722402009-02-15T08:37:00.000-08:002009-02-15T08:37:00.000-08:00Janet, One think I like about dressage is that the...Janet, One think I like about dressage is that they do try to keep the tools we use somewhat mild, such as the bits and spurs. Believe me, there are questionable training practices in dressage, too.<BR/><BR/>Of course, the most cruel of bits can be mild in a master's hands. While a mild bit can be like a razor in a monkey's hand with an untactful or cruel rider.<BR/><BR/>I boarded with a man who used his hands to balance himself on the horse's back. He rode in a big rubber snaffle, yet the horse had permanent calouses from that bit and sometimes even the corners of his mouth would bleed.Jami Davenporthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05259390150273030284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-16883166046841589492009-02-15T08:24:00.000-08:002009-02-15T08:24:00.000-08:00Joycemocha--I'm not defending the mechanical hacka...Joycemocha--I'm not defending the mechanical hackamore exactly--its a bit that has ruined a lot of horses. But for me, its the best bit to put on our trail horses, who are both lazy and relaxed. My son can get his horse's attention when Henry tries to jerk his head down and eat grass--which he couldn't do in a sidepull or bosal. Both our horses are totally comfortable in these hackamores, or I wouldn't use them. They are a great bit in the right application. I would not use them for anything other than this sort of relaxed trail riding. This is not a bit to train a horse in. I don't think it is a good bit to rope in, though ropers will sometimes use it. If I were dealing with a sensitive or hot horse I would never use it. My old rope horse, for instance, I ride in a loose shanked broken bit. The mechanical hack would be a disaster on him. It all depends--like most everything else with horses.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-76363757781032103252009-02-15T08:09:00.000-08:002009-02-15T08:09:00.000-08:00Laura, I had a horse as a kid who'd been broken to...Laura, I had a horse as a kid who'd been broken to ride in a mechanical hack. That's shaped my attitude toward them ever since.<BR/><BR/>I'm with Janet on this one. I don't care for it, even on a trail ride. If I want to go bitless, I much prefer a bosal or a sidepull--in fact, when my horse had some mouth problems because of bearded stuff in our hay, I put her in a sidepull instead of a mechanical hack (not the sidepulls with bits, lariat nosepieces, or other BS--but a plain leather noseband). <BR/><BR/>I'm quite the fan of a nice leather sidepull. It's pretty mild, but a trained horse will respond nicely to the nose pressure without the leverage of a mechanical hack.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-68142558757147444772009-02-14T15:00:00.000-08:002009-02-14T15:00:00.000-08:00I am also of the curious, sometimes obsessive kind...I am also of the curious, sometimes obsessive kind. I love to learn. <BR/>I also love well formulated thoughts. Here's a Saturday quote for you, from Charles de Kunffy: <BR/>“The wonders of riding are many, but perhaps the most important is an awareness of never-ending discovery”<BR/>The same man also said: <BR/>“Riders die ignorant” <BR/>How true.<BR/>So we might just as well enjoy the road, don’t you think?<BR/>Exchange thoughts. Learning more.<BR/>And do our best, whatever that is.<BR/>And give our horses the big four.HorseOfCoursehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15907659164579327290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-30019977871574502192009-02-14T14:40:00.000-08:002009-02-14T14:40:00.000-08:00I loved my hackamore when I was a kid. It was wher...I loved my hackamore when I was a kid. It was where I first learned to leave my horse be.....I could probably be fine with one as a trail horse ride too.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-84297530221346935592009-02-14T13:11:00.000-08:002009-02-14T13:11:00.000-08:00Janet, I love your writing. And your trainer brain...Janet, I love your writing. And your trainer brain. Your mugwump chronicles blog is endlessly entertaining and insightful. If anyone deserves to get published, you do. I'll be happy if I'm some small bit of help.<BR/>I still think you might like a mechanical hackamore on a lazy trail horse. The horses like that bit in that application, and I, the lazy rider, find its most pleasant for both of us.<BR/>Just kidding...I know the mechanical hackamore is one of your pet peeves. Who am I to talk? I've got lots of pet peeves. I mean, I'm the one who won't wear proper riding boots any more. How weird is that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com