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Introducing Training Principles related to Bit Use Applying single episodes of long-term pressure encourages resistance and avoidance of cues. Application of bit pressure should be short-termed and followed immediately by a release period. If more rein pressure is needed for reinforcement, additional “pull-and-release” pressure should be applied instead of lengthening the duration of the initial cue.
Another method is ground driving. Ground driving employs the use of long lines attached to a ring snaffle bit. The lines are directed through a bitting harness or saddle to aid in directing the pull from the handler to the horse’s mouth. The handler guides the horse with the lines while positioned several yards behind the horse. Horses can be taught to stop, back up, and guide with direct rein pressure before being ridden for the first time. Ground driving is used with young horses to introduce bit pressure and as a reinforcement aid on older horses. Unless experienced with these methods, readers are encouraged to receive hands-on instruction from knowledgeable people before attempting these or other pre-ride bitting methods.
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Horses
in the beginning stages of training should be accustomed to the
bit and taught to respond to rein pressure before being ridden.
This can be accomplished with several sessions of bridling the horse
with a ring snaffle bit and allowing him to wear the bit for several
hours at a time without reins attached. The second objective is
to teach the horse to respond to rein pressure. One way to do this
is to tie the reins from a snaffle bridle to a bitting harness so
small amounts of pressure are applied to the horse’s mouth
until the horse responds acceptably by giving in to the rein pressure.
