2 Opinion-based Questions?

Question

I have two questions, and I think they are pretty much opinion/prefence based for the answers.

1) When a horse has a bit in its mouth, do you allow it to eat? (Of course not when riding, but when your off and rolling up stirrups/undoing the girth?)

2) This is for English riders. When at a canter, mainly in the show ring (hunter/jumpers) in the FLAT classes, are you suppose to sit your canter, just go with the horse (kind of up/down with the strides?) or do the thing where you sort of stand?

I was never taught which was the proper, so when I was learning to canter I just learned to sit it (which resulted in a good seat for sitting the trot) but at my new barn I see people doing the going with the flow and some people do the standing, but nothing has been said about me sitting.

Thanks for the answers (in advanced!)

Answer 1

1) no  a horse doesnt eat with its bridle on. Only when we take it off, or they get a little t*t bit!

2)stand a little for gallop, sit to the canter upright!

Answer 2

1) Yes, I do. But I thoroughly clean the bit immediately after.

2) I sit the canter, which resulted in as you said, a nice sitting trot. :)  However, when I'm jumping, I tend to stand the canter. Everyone has their preferences, if you have a instructor that you use, ask about it. What they think would be best for you.

Answer 3

#1/ A horse should NEVER be allowed to eat anything while the bit is in his mouth, it is a matter of discipline...

#2/  Sit your canter, always...lean slightly forward, only slightly and ride the canter..

Answer 4

1. Yes, but as Kenzi mentioned-it makes for a dirty, nasty bit if not cleaned. I also don't do it if we're really working hard-maybe just out for a walk on the trail or something, and he can have a nibble here or there.

3. Sit to it. You want to try and keep your bottom in the saddle as much as possible. Someone on here mentioned their instructor putting a $20 bill under their butt, and if they could keep it there when they were riding then they could keep it. So yes, keep the butt in the saddle-move with the horse (not against it) in order to keep your butt in the saddle. If your horse slows, you keep good pressure on them with your legs to remind him he's gotta' keep going.

Answer 5

1) i dont let the horse eat with the bit, nor do i let it eat right after riding.   the bit may make it hard for my horse to eat and it is bad to let a horse eat if its hot. i would recommend putting the halter on the horse after a ride ( with a lead rope ) and cool down by walking around. then let him eat

2) try going into a baby 2-point like a half seat. its very hunter-y. its great because you can do that while sitting down, too

good luck i hope i was help

Answer 6

1. yes, I even take a lead rope when riding to tie the horse up, haven't ever layed in the grass. on a nice lazy day and look at the cloud, while you horse was trying to eat the grass under you. I have even had that also happen with elephants.

2. You post the trot, and seat the canter, but you move on you butt,with a like light rocking, to the horse movement,so you look like one movement to gather. That was all dressage was, rider and horse moving to gather gracefully

Answer 7

1>Usually they don't get the opportunity but if they do then it's no big deal. We just wash the bit after riding anyway.

2>We sit.

Answer 8

1) I don't let them eat when tacked up. I want my horses to know that when they are tacked up. Its time to work.  I think it gives them better manners

2) I sit the canter.

Answer 9

Okay, I let my horse eat while Im riding....I call it nit picking

Answer 10

well

1. i allow mine to eat..though i shouldnt just grass when were at a show and things but allin all no dont let h im eat

2. i think it just depends on the horse really with mine i have to sit hes and ex racehorse who raced for nine years adn gets really excited at shows. but i beleive your suppose to half-halt your way around( thing hwere u stand up) i would ask around at your barn the people there might know what to do and if your afraid they willthink your crazy when you ask them, its better to ask and fix the problem now then later when you show. good luck

Answer 11

Personally, I don't allow my horse to eat with her bit in unless I'm off of her for more than 5 mins and not doing anything.

With cantering, it depends on what you're wanting to acheive. Sitting the canter will sometimes slow it slightly, while riding in a light seat usually encourages the horse to extend the canter of even gallop.

Answer 12

1.) Just a rule I have - once I bring the horse up for work, no grazing from the time I catch them until the time I untack.  No grazing wihile I'm opening and closing gates, etc.  When we're done, If the horse is quiet, I let him graze while hosing him down.

On the trail, I remove the bridle (I usually leave a halter on under the bridle for this purpose, if I'm planning on stopping for a break), loosen the girth a tad, and make it very clear that grazing is my idea.

2.)  I'm not an equitation rider, but I did start in hunters.  The position my instructors wanted at the canter was sitting, but not so fully upright as a dressage position.  Slightly leaning forward.  I found it awkward.  For jumping, I'm either in half-seat (aka 2-point) or sitting firmly to check speed and rebalance before a jump.  Ask one of the instructors at your barn what they would look for in judging a  class.

Answer 13

Well being a trail rider all of my life I have learned that on the long trail rides, horses do get hungry too...if I come to a good meadow, or grassy area, that looks great, I will let my horse graze...yes with the bit in his mouth...I sit and relax or I may even have a bite to eat myself.  It is not a big deal...let the horse eat for a few minutes, then he is not in a mood because he is hungry and you have been riding for 5 hours..I think that it is the least I can do for one that has carried my butt around all day...give him a few blades of grass.

Answer 14

I won't let them eat while I'm doing anything like riding, or removing tack.  But I do let them eat if I'm standing around talking to someone.  Even on trail rides, if I stop for a breather and stay seated, I throw enough rein for them to eat.

When I pull the reins back up, they know it's work time and I've never had a problem with it.

You always sit the canter.

Answer 15

1) No, i dont. i do trail class so i have to ground tie alot, and sometimes there is an outdoor pattern, so i cant have my horses eating while i am doing the pattern.

2) when you are riding and training at home, it doesnt really matter, but if you are showing in Hunter Under Saddle or other english flat classes, you need to sit it. it gives a quieter, more refined impression.

Answer 16

I dont ride english so I'll just answer the first question for ya.

I never let my horse eat when I have him out because then he thinks that is what he can do and I think it is annoying to always have to pull a horse's head up to do anything with it. Sometimes when I'm done with a ride and done untacking, I will put his halter on and give him some treats and let him eat some grass, but only after all the work is done. It is just my own person preference (like you said). I'm sorta strict about this rule, but I do know that people do have their own opions on it, so I dont worry too much if other people do it, just not with my horse. haha. I hope this answered your question!

Answer 17

1) i don't, it makes the bit nasty. but if you want to, clean it AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!! or it becomes really hard to clean off.

2) in the flat classes, i sit.

hope i've helped.

Answer 18

1) I don't at all.

2) I always just sit to it.

Hope I helped!