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Bit-Up and Tie Down--Are You Your Horse's Friend or Foe?

© Lori Hall-McNary

The other day I saw a young horse being ridden in a long shank gag bicycle chain bit add to my horror a cable nose tie down had been added. In the course of a couple of months the mare's snaffle had been discarded and torture equipment added.

I looked at the kind eye of this sorrel quarter horse and wondered what the heck was its owner thinking? This mare occasionally tossed her head to get away from the heavy-handed rider. Unfortunately the owner whom I've watched at shows balances off the horse's face causing more head tossing as the mare was trying to escape the banging of the bit.

WHAT WENT WRONG? The owner choose the easy fix that will eventually end in disaster. She decided instead taking the time to fix the hole in her horse's training and take lessons in order to learn how to ride with softer hands the owner bit-up and tied down her horse. The owner's lack of understanding proper training techniques and fear got in the way of good judgement.

I watched her run barrels, the horse shook its head even more, fortunately the mare isn't prone to panic. If she were she'd do everything in her power to escape the pain and pressure of being "bit-up and tied-down" she'd rear up, flip over, try to bust the tie down, run away. Remember horses are flight animals especially in scary or painful situations. The mare's good nature is the only thing saving this horse rider combo from a wreck, but a god disposition will only last so long when the horse is getting banged in the mouth and nose.

WHY A QUICK FIX? The quick solution so many owners and trainers who need cash (don't we all) bit-up and tie down a horse for control. Problem is the original hole in the horse's training was never addressed and now the owner or trainer is creating a whole set of other problems.

Wait a minute you say, I see roping horses, barrel racers, trail riders with tie downs and severe bits or headgear. Most people don't stop to think why this is or they hear the old saying. "Balance's better off the tie-down, I need a stop on the horse, horse's head gets in my way of roping, etc."

What these cowboys and cowgirls aren't telling you is they don't take the time to train their horses properly. Their excuse-- they need to make a living off the horse. I don't buy it! Look at the top cutting horses, reiners, endurance horses do they use a tie down, bit-up their horse? World champion barrel racer Kristie Peterson doesn't use a tie down. Top pros invest the time in a horse's training--they don't need quick fixes.

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