Action of the Bit in the Horses Mouth
Shelbie Fredenhagen
Nov. 22, 2012
Working the horse by applying what is known of physics and the musculature system, provides the rider with an osteopathic way of working the horse. In this way your partner will have a longer working life with less health problems associated from poor muscle development. Stress can be eliminated by the rider not demanding the horse to perform things that their body cannot physically do.
One of the biggest problems people will relay to clinicians and their coaches that I have heard is “how can I keep my horse consistently round?” Thousands of dollars are spent every year on magic bits that promise results and artificial aids to help correct this problem. When a simple single jointed snaffle and educated hands are all you need to start with.
“The hand is the instrument of all instruments” -Aristotle
When pressure is forced on the hypersensitive organ that is the tongue through the downward action of the hand to the bit; pain shoots through the horses bars and tongue. Tension is evident in the body and mind which is shown as resistance against the bit. Symptoms include grinding teeth, sticking out tongue, dry mouth, above the bit, behind the bit, staleness in the bridle, tongue over the bit... the list goes on.
However, if the bit is used by exerting pressure on the corner of the lips, the horse will yield the jaw and swallow. As the muscles that are used In the act of swallowing are used,you can see that the tongue is a critical crossroad. Some of the tongue muscles connect to a small set of bones in the throat called the hyoid bones. Originating from the hyoid bones are two major neck muscles, one connecting with the sternum and one with the inside of the shoulder. When the horses tongue is compressed due to downward pressure from the bit, these muscles are blocked and cannot function properly. Therefore, discomfort and tension in the tongue will lead to tension all the way down to the bottom of the neck. In addition, there are muscles connecting the hyoid bones to the temporo-mandibular joint (the TMJ, or jaw,) which is an important centre for nerves involved in balance and proprioception (part of the horse's coordination system).
For some, it is just easier to change the bit, add a flash, and blame the horse for having a bad mouth, than it is to question the efficiency and action of the riders own hands.
By thinking of how your hand is acting as you ride and to simply “check in” with the corners of the horses lips to make sure it is relaxed by asking the horse to swallow, several things are accomplished. We can be sure that there are less braced muscles through the neck, further releasing tension from their back; they have greater mobility through the hindquarters, and start gaining longer strides. We then have a greater opportunity for the horse to have true roundness with soft, elastic movements; whatever your discipline.
“The aim of the Art is not only to ride a well conformed animal, but to get the very best out of those that have been less gifted by nature.” Ludwig Hunersdorf
Shelbie Fredenhagen
Nov. 22, 2012
Working the horse by applying what is known of physics and the musculature system, provides the rider with an osteopathic way of working the horse. In this way your partner will have a longer working life with less health problems associated from poor muscle development. Stress can be eliminated by the rider not demanding the horse to perform things that their body cannot physically do.
One of the biggest problems people will relay to clinicians and their coaches that I have heard is “how can I keep my horse consistently round?” Thousands of dollars are spent every year on magic bits that promise results and artificial aids to help correct this problem. When a simple single jointed snaffle and educated hands are all you need to start with.
“The hand is the instrument of all instruments” -Aristotle
When pressure is forced on the hypersensitive organ that is the tongue through the downward action of the hand to the bit; pain shoots through the horses bars and tongue. Tension is evident in the body and mind which is shown as resistance against the bit. Symptoms include grinding teeth, sticking out tongue, dry mouth, above the bit, behind the bit, staleness in the bridle, tongue over the bit... the list goes on.
However, if the bit is used by exerting pressure on the corner of the lips, the horse will yield the jaw and swallow. As the muscles that are used In the act of swallowing are used,you can see that the tongue is a critical crossroad. Some of the tongue muscles connect to a small set of bones in the throat called the hyoid bones. Originating from the hyoid bones are two major neck muscles, one connecting with the sternum and one with the inside of the shoulder. When the horses tongue is compressed due to downward pressure from the bit, these muscles are blocked and cannot function properly. Therefore, discomfort and tension in the tongue will lead to tension all the way down to the bottom of the neck. In addition, there are muscles connecting the hyoid bones to the temporo-mandibular joint (the TMJ, or jaw,) which is an important centre for nerves involved in balance and proprioception (part of the horse's coordination system).
For some, it is just easier to change the bit, add a flash, and blame the horse for having a bad mouth, than it is to question the efficiency and action of the riders own hands.
By thinking of how your hand is acting as you ride and to simply “check in” with the corners of the horses lips to make sure it is relaxed by asking the horse to swallow, several things are accomplished. We can be sure that there are less braced muscles through the neck, further releasing tension from their back; they have greater mobility through the hindquarters, and start gaining longer strides. We then have a greater opportunity for the horse to have true roundness with soft, elastic movements; whatever your discipline.
“The aim of the Art is not only to ride a well conformed animal, but to get the very best out of those that have been less gifted by nature.” Ludwig Hunersdorf
