double lungeing with halter

Question
QUESTION: hello, why dont you double lunge a horse with the bit, why only with the halter?

ANSWER: I have worked on having an independent seat my whole life so that I would never compromise a horse's mouth...never cause him pain.

The USDF allows lungeing with a bit or a lunge cavesson.
I disagree about work from the bit even though it is widely accepted.
You are putting pressure on the horse's mouth wihtout input form your legs and seat. It is pulling on his mouth, when really you need to be influencing his entire body.

I have also seen a horse slip and almost fall and he got yanked on so badly from being lunged from the bit that they were unable to show him that day.

Some purists will lunge with side reins from the bit but only from a trot...when the horse has slight movement with his head and neck as he is balanced.

Some people lunge with the line around his poll and snap it on the other side of the bit. I have had vets and chiropractors tell me how harmful this is.

Mitzi
www.MitziSummers.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: so ma'am, when do you advice me to start a horse with the bit. i mean, if he has become totally become in lungeing wearing saddle, then you would put the bit and then break the horse to the bit slowly and steadily. am i right? learning about horses is really interesting, how long it takes for an average horse to become perfect in lungeing and then break to the bit?

Answer
I always start a young horse with something called a side pull or a Bitless Bridle. I teach him everything, bending, stopping, transitions, without a bit.

Then  you must  decide if you are to use a bit.  Many horses are ridden their whole lives without bits very successfully, but in the States we have rules for horse shows that say the horse must carry a bit.

Not in Open jumping and games I have several clients who open jump in Bitless Bridles.

I selct a mild, light weight eggbutt French link snaffle and just put a headstall on the  horse and let him carry the bit without reins attached so he gets used to it.

Then I put an extra set of reins on the bit and ride him with two reins, gradually going to the reins on the bit.

I do all of this also with ground work. The bit should just explain to the horse what you want...not control him with discomfort or pain.

(Remember if you are kind enough to rate this answer, a NO on the nomination is a negative for me. A YES is a good opinion. Thank you.
Mitzi