Where do I start?

Equestrian_05 · 10-14-2007, 03:27 AM

I have this 4 year old quarter horse that I last rode at the end of August but with school starting and work I just didnt have time to keep riding him. But everything has finally settled down and I now have time to keep training him. When I last rode him he was starting on jogging. My ending goal is to have him end up as a Western Pleasure horse. I really want to start him up right again, with out wasting any time. So where do you suggest I begin?

AAB Cowboy · 10-14-2007, 11:05 AM

If you want to do it RIGHT away you could use a Noavel bridle. It is more humane than a bit bridle, and I saw a rescue horse broke to saddle in 45 minutes. I tried one, and it is the best thing for our horses. I am not very easy to please, but I was very impressed with it.

The link is: http://www.noavel.net/

Equestrian_05 · 10-14-2007, 01:18 PM

do you use it just like a regular bridle. Or are there certain things you have to know about the bridle when you use it?

JumpingBean · 10-14-2007, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AAB Cowboy

It is more humane than a bit bridle

That depends on how each is used and the horse's tolerance of nose pressure. The Noavel may or may not be humane and effective (I have never used one, so I'm withholding judgment), but I DO know for sure that a properly used bit is quite humane.

magicsdoublepla · 10-14-2007, 03:28 PM

the thing about a noaval, is that you have to show with a i bit as the horse gets older, and i'm pretty sure you should be using a curb as the level goes up, so if Equestria_05 wants to show in western pleasure, she's going to have to use a bit eventually
and while a noaval and/or bosal are good/could be good for beginning a horse, eventually a bit is going to be needed..
just thought i'd throw that out..

AAB Cowboy · 10-14-2007, 04:03 PM

The Noavel is used about the same as the normal bridle; the main difference is in discipline. With a bit, you pull and if the horse doesn’t respond, you pull harder. It turns into a tug-of-war. The Noavel is based on a “bump and release” method. You bump the Noavel against one of 5 nerves on the face, with a short jerking motion. It bumps the nerve, and the horse responds immediately.

If you don’t like the whole bumping nerves thing, consider how the bit bridle works. When you pull on the reins, the space between the bit and chinstrap closes. When you pull hard, it cinches closed on 3 of the 5 nerves the Noavel bumps.

In short, the Noavel bumps nerves. The bit bridle CHINCHES on those nerves. If you ride with some tension on the reins, the bit will put the horse’s mouth numb, and over extended periods of time, cause nerve damage.

Also, there is a small bone in the horses tongue. I have seen one from a 1,100 pound horse. It is similar is size and shape to a poultry wishbone. If the horse works his tongue over the bit, and he trips, you pull back or anything like that, it will snap. Just as easily as a wishbone.

There are DVDs on the Noavel, but the main things I have noticed are that it needs to be set correctly. If it is loose or tight, it doesn’t work. It needs to be set correctly. Also, it does not take much. Use it when necessary, but don’t abuse it. Just use common sense.

If you want to know more, I will be glad to tell you.

JumpingBean · 10-14-2007, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AAB Cowboy

The Noavel is used about the same as the normal bridle; the main difference is in discipline. With a bit, you pull and if the horse doesn’t respond, you pull harder. It turns into a tug-of-war.

Not necessarily.

Quote:

If you don’t like the whole bumping nerves thing, consider how the bit bridle works. When you pull on the reins, the space between the bit and chinstrap closes. When you pull hard, it cinches closed on 3 of the 5 nerves the Noavel bumps.

Which space between bit and chinstrap? Are you talking about a curb bit? What about regular snaffles, in which English horses are often ridden with no noseband or chinstrap at all?

Quote:

Also, there is a small bone in the horses tongue. I have seen one from a 1,100 pound horse. It is similar is size and shape to a poultry wishbone. If the horse works his tongue over the bit, and he trips, you pull back or anything like that, it will snap. Just as easily as a wishbone.

Huh. I know humans have a bone in their tongues (it's called the hyoid bone). I hadn't thought about horses having it, but it makes sense. Do you have any pictures of it? I tried to scare some up on Google, and I found some articles on the equine hyoid, but no pictures.

Quote:

There are DVDs on the Noavel, but the main things I have noticed are that it needs to be set correctly. If it is loose or tight, it doesn’t work. It needs to be set correctly. Also, it does not take much. Use it when necessary, but don’t abuse it. Just use common sense.

If you want to know more, I will be glad to tell you.

Well, arguably the same goes for a bitted bridle. I have watched many Western horses go around -- there is next to NO pressure on the bit. It's just "there." I admit that for English we do use more contact, but we are also not usually using the same type of bit used on Western horses.

It dawned on me -- are you speaking about Western bits vs. the Noavel specifically, or bits in general? I'm talking from an English perspective. Just FYI. I -would- like to know more, but we probably ought to move to one of the threads specifically about the Noavel, so we don't hijack the thread.

Zypheir's Ring · 10-14-2007, 04:27 PM

Bits are not bad in the right riders hands. A good rider wouldn't pull back when the horse trips or keep tension on the reins. I ride with bits but only pick up a rein when its needed.

magicsdoublepla · 10-14-2007, 05:28 PM

ideally, horses should be ridden by the seat and legs, and using the bit and noavel as a last resort kind of thing. there are horses that are so well trained that they don't need anythign on their face. the bit or even noavel (i've never used one) just add refinment and the extra cuel, i think essepcially in dressage..
but i agree, no hijaking the thread

haha

AAB Cowboy · 10-14-2007, 05:53 PM

I ride western style. I would have to check on the english end of it.

It is true that the bit can be ridden with very little contact. I believe that there are many happy horses being ridden out there with a bit. In the right hands, it might be fine. Personally, I just would like to know that when my horse accidently steps on the reins, there is no chance of breakage or injury. Accident can and do happen, even in the best of hands.

Also, from what I have noticed, horses don't seem to like the bit. They chew and play with it. It just seems to me that the attention they are giving to playing with the bit is attention that is not on me.

Unfortunately, I am pretty new on this website, so if someone would enjoy making a new thread or telling me how to, I would be glad to oblige.

By the way, do English bridles us the chinstrap as western bridles do? If so, that would make a difference.

10-14-2007, 03:27 AM	#1
Equestrian_05 Full Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 200 Images: 9	Where do I start? I have this 4 year old quarter horse that I last rode at the end of August but with school starting and work I just didnt have time to keep riding him. But everything has finally settled down and I now have time to keep training him. When I last rode him he was starting on jogging. My ending goal is to have him end up as a Western Pleasure horse. I really want to start him up right again, with out wasting any time. So where do you suggest I begin?

10-14-2007, 03:28 PM	#5
magicsdoublepla Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: BC Canada Posts: 1,367	the thing about a noaval, is that you have to show with a i bit as the horse gets older, and i'm pretty sure you should be using a curb as the level goes up, so if Equestria_05 wants to show in western pleasure, she's going to have to use a bit eventually and while a noaval and/or bosal are good/could be good for beginning a horse, eventually a bit is going to be needed.. just thought i'd throw that out.. __________________ http://img115.imageshack.us/my.php?i...riesca0lg1.png- Aries http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/676...playir9gz3.png -Midnight

10-14-2007, 04:27 PM	#8
Zypheir's Ring Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,306 Images: 440	Bits are not bad in the right riders hands. A good rider wouldn't pull back when the horse trips or keep tension on the reins. I ride with bits but only pick up a rein when its needed. __________________ I've got nothing to prove...I'm me, I don't care whether you like me or not. If you don't like me I won't hate you or blame you. I'm me.....just me.

10-14-2007, 05:28 PM	#9
magicsdoublepla Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: BC Canada Posts: 1,367	ideally, horses should be ridden by the seat and legs, and using the bit and noavel as a last resort kind of thing. there are horses that are so well trained that they don't need anythign on their face. the bit or even noavel (i've never used one) just add refinment and the extra cuel, i think essepcially in dressage.. but i agree, no hijaking the thread haha __________________ http://img115.imageshack.us/my.php?i...riesca0lg1.png- Aries http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/676...playir9gz3.png -Midnight

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10-14-2007, 11:05 AM	#2
AAB Cowboy Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 22	If you want to do it RIGHT away you could use a Noavel bridle. It is more humane than a bit bridle, and I saw a rescue horse broke to saddle in 45 minutes. I tried one, and it is the best thing for our horses. I am not very easy to please, but I was very impressed with it. The link is: http://www.noavel.net/

10-14-2007, 01:18 PM	#3
Equestrian_05 Full Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 200 Images: 9	do you use it just like a regular bridle. Or are there certain things you have to know about the bridle when you use it?

10-14-2007, 04:03 PM	#6
AAB Cowboy Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 22	The Noavel is used about the same as the normal bridle; the main difference is in discipline. With a bit, you pull and if the horse doesn’t respond, you pull harder. It turns into a tug-of-war. The Noavel is based on a “bump and release” method. You bump the Noavel against one of 5 nerves on the face, with a short jerking motion. It bumps the nerve, and the horse responds immediately. If you don’t like the whole bumping nerves thing, consider how the bit bridle works. When you pull on the reins, the space between the bit and chinstrap closes. When you pull hard, it cinches closed on 3 of the 5 nerves the Noavel bumps. In short, the Noavel bumps nerves. The bit bridle CHINCHES on those nerves. If you ride with some tension on the reins, the bit will put the horse’s mouth numb, and over extended periods of time, cause nerve damage. Also, there is a small bone in the horses tongue. I have seen one from a 1,100 pound horse. It is similar is size and shape to a poultry wishbone. If the horse works his tongue over the bit, and he trips, you pull back or anything like that, it will snap. Just as easily as a wishbone. There are DVDs on the Noavel, but the main things I have noticed are that it needs to be set correctly. If it is loose or tight, it doesn’t work. It needs to be set correctly. Also, it does not take much. Use it when necessary, but don’t abuse it. Just use common sense. If you want to know more, I will be glad to tell you.

10-14-2007, 05:53 PM	#10
AAB Cowboy Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 22	I ride western style. I would have to check on the english end of it. It is true that the bit can be ridden with very little contact. I believe that there are many happy horses being ridden out there with a bit. In the right hands, it might be fine. Personally, I just would like to know that when my horse accidently steps on the reins, there is no chance of breakage or injury. Accident can and do happen, even in the best of hands. Also, from what I have noticed, horses don't seem to like the bit. They chew and play with it. It just seems to me that the attention they are giving to playing with the bit is attention that is not on me. Unfortunately, I am pretty new on this website, so if someone would enjoy making a new thread or telling me how to, I would be glad to oblige. By the way, do English bridles us the chinstrap as western bridles do? If so, that would make a difference.