Sample Our Newsletter From "Snaffle Bits vs Shank or Leverage Bits," Issue 2, part 2 of our FREE monthly newsletter
Re: book horse training
The leverage (or shanked) bit doesn't give me any more control than any other bit. If I have to pull 5 pounds to stop my horse on that bit, I still have to put 5 pounds on this bit. Except I'm only pulling about a pound's worth, because a pound from me feels like ten down there because of the leverage this bit creates. It makes me feel like I have more control. It makes me feel like the horse is softer and more responsive, but pretty soon the horse will start pulling on this bit, if I allow him to, just like he does on the snaffle bit.
"A leverage bit will allow me to teach him to keep his head straight and break at the poll - but that's about all I'm going to be doing. I do use a leverage bit, if I want to work on keeping horse's head in position or to keep him square between the reins. But while the bit might be keeping his head correct, it's my body, my seat that's telling him where to go. For instance, if I were riding toward you and I tell the horse to take his hips to the left and his shoulders to the right or the left, then it's my body that's telling the horse how to move, not the bit. The bit is just keeping him "in frame."
"The reason then that I don't train in a curb or leverage bit is...
This book is packed with practical information and advice about matters concerning your facility. It takes you from making the decision to keep horses at home, through buying property and installing a covered arena, even to deciding whether you want to build a house-barn combination and move into the barn yourself.
Also addressed are the age-old questions about fencing. We've included a chapter on vinyl fencing, which horse owners often wonder about and many professional facilities install as perimeter and cross-fencing. We also cover electric fencing.
Topics include:
• Buying Horse Property
• Stable Environments
• Fighting Fire
• Dust Problems
• Manure Spreaders
• Vinyl Fencing
• Electric Fencing
• Advice on Tack: Saddle Lingo and Does it Fit?
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