Define "giving to the bit"

Cara · 03-07-2009, 05:43 PM

I think we have to be careful in the way we define "giving to the bit", because I have seen many riders who claim their horse is giving to the bit because they put pressure on the reins and the horse "gives", but in reality the horse is going behind the bit and avoiding it.

I really like farmeress' definition.

Teddy · 03-07-2009, 06:48 PM

"giving to the bit" "on the contact" all terms refering to trust and submisson by the horse to accept the bit contact without avoidance and all of the above mentioned by other posts. You need to have steady hands no bouncing up and down and hitting the horse in the mouth with the bit no pulling or yanking on the reins. You want to achieve an "independent seat" that means if we took your reins away you would have no problem balancing while riding your horse It is very common to use the reins to balance ourselves until we develope an independant seat. Hope this helps.

Zanerkin177 · 03-07-2009, 07:55 PM

in my words

its were the horse moves his head were you ask him (normally left or right) to and then some more. so there is slack/a loop in the reins

GotaDunQH · 03-08-2009, 11:11 AM

To me, giving to the bit means the horse has accepted the bit and it's pressure, and has learned how to pick up and hold that bit in it's mouth and work off rider leg/seat properly...using it's whole body.

Jennifer

03-07-2009, 05:43 PM	#11
Cara Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 4,156 Images: 27	I think we have to be careful in the way we define "giving to the bit", because I have seen many riders who claim their horse is giving to the bit because they put pressure on the reins and the horse "gives", but in reality the horse is going behind the bit and avoiding it. I really like farmeress' definition. __________________ ~It Depends~ Cara

03-07-2009, 07:55 PM	#13
Zanerkin177 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Army :D Posts: 1,296 Images: 7	in my words its were the horse moves his head were you ask him (normally left or right) to and then some more. so there is slack/a loop in the reins __________________ A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.

03-08-2009, 11:11 AM	#14
GotaDunQH Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Leominster MA Posts: 2,492 Images: 3	To me, giving to the bit means the horse has accepted the bit and it's pressure, and has learned how to pick up and hold that bit in it's mouth and work off rider leg/seat properly...using it's whole body. Jennifer __________________ "My kingdom for a horse."

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03-07-2009, 06:48 PM	#12
Teddy Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 24	"giving to the bit" "on the contact" all terms refering to trust and submisson by the horse to accept the bit contact without avoidance and all of the above mentioned by other posts. You need to have steady hands no bouncing up and down and hitting the horse in the mouth with the bit no pulling or yanking on the reins. You want to achieve an "independent seat" that means if we took your reins away you would have no problem balancing while riding your horse It is very common to use the reins to balance ourselves until we develope an independant seat. Hope this helps.