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 Over the past couple decades, thanks to the efforts of a list of well known trainers and authors too long to mention, the majority of horse trainers and owners have turned to “natural horsemanship”.  Millions of people have read the book or seen the movie, “The Horse Whisperer,” and were amazed at the connection between trainer and horse.  This movie presented a fine example of Natural Horsemanship.  If you are not familiar with this type of horse-rearing, it is based on understanding and applying the natural herd hierarchy or pecking order:  how horses use body language to communicate and the understanding of horses’ ‘explosive flight’ instincts that have helped protect them from natural predators.

At a very grassroots level, the kindler gentler more basic concepts of natural horsemanship have ignited new ideas that are taking that movement to a higher level.  A new culture is emerging whose mantra is “Bitless, Treeless and Barefoot”.   They are avid natural horsemen or horsewomen who use bitless bridles, ride in treeless saddles, and use a barefoot natural trim on their horses’ feet.   They believe these things eliminate the discomfort, pain and injury that can be caused by bits, traditional treed saddles and horseshoes.  Eliminating pain brings them closer to their horses so they can enjoy the magical relationship that so many horse lovers dream of.  While they and their horses are enjoying the time they spend together more, they also claim that bitless bridles, treeless saddles, and barefoot trims help the pair perform better together.  

Perhaps the most dramatic change of this new subculture is that, from backyard hacks to endurance to competitive games to high level dressage, people are claiming that they perform better when they use a bitless bridle.  Although bitless bridles have existed in many forms throughout the centuries, the use of bits is an important and established part of equestrian teaching and tradition.  Equestrian competitions usually require that participants use bits in their horses, even if the horse and rider can complete the task bitless. 

Zoe Brooks, a quality management consultant, horse farm owner and designer of the latest model of bitless bridle, says:
 “Attila the Hun succeeded by teaching his army to control their horses with metal bits. While today’s bits aren’t as primitive, the fact is that much of our modern equestrian practice evolved from military training. I think it’s time we looked for some new role models!” 

“Training and riding bitless took us to whole new level! It removed the fight and the mutual worry of impending pain form the bit.  We worked better together and learned to trust.” 

In fall of 2006, Zoe and her husband Gerry used their own methods of natural horsemanship to train 4 young horses in only 2 days.  Using their bitless bridle, after only one hour of ‘nurtural training’ three people were able to ride a 2 year old stallion who had never seen a saddle before that day.  The 3 year old gelding accepted his first rider in under an hour and hit the open fields on Day 2.  The two young fillies had their first rides in their second lesson. 
Brooks believes: “With a little nurturing, you don’t need to spend a lifetime or a fortune to train a horse.” 

Bitless bridles are gaining credibility among all sectors of the horse set; from the casual pleasure rider to the precision of Grand Prix Dressage riders, horse owners are discovering the difference ‘going Nurtural’ can make. They feel like their horses are calmer and happier to be with them. 

While many horse lovers see the value in the Natural Horsemanship movement, they may balk at bitless bridles, believing they all look like a standard hackamore. The often bulky or rudimentary appearance of hackamores doesn’t seem to mesh too well with the grace and poise required when showing. But bitless bridles have become so refined and elegant in appearance, that at first glance, many riders don’t even realize a horse isn’t using a standard bitted bridle.  

“Once they see the responsiveness and control that a bitless bridle can offer, and the smile it puts on their horse, most riders become convinced,” says Brooks.  “After all, what horse owner wouldn’t want to find a more nurturing and gentle way to work with the horse they love?”   

About Zoe Brooks
Zoe is living proof that horse lovers come from all walks of life.  She got her first horse when she and her husband bought a farm just 10 years ago. She designed and patented the Nurtural No-Bit Bridle in 2005 after seeking a better way to ride her own horse, Hazel.   

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This second press release was sent out in early December 2007

Are You Unknowingly Harming Your Horse?
Five key things new horse owners must know
See the many sites below that have published this article, and helped spread the word!

Owning your first horse can be a dream come true. Yet many new horse owners may find their new-found dream less-than-perfect as they struggle with issues of behavior, manners, training and respect.  Perhaps they are inadvertently harming the very creature they’ve fallen in love with. Even though they’re large, majestic animals, horses require a lot of gentle TLC. Unfortunately, many of the long-standing practices in traditional horsemanship may be harmful. Growing numbers of horse owners are seeking more humane ways to train, ride and care for their horses.  

That’s why Natural Horsemanship has become so popular. It’s based on understanding the natural herd hierarchy or pecking order, how horses use body language to communicate and how the practiced application of ‘pressure and release’ can cause the horse to willing work with you – respecting and obeying you as the lead horse. It also promotes a deeper bond between horse and rider, based on the creation of a trusting relationship. Building trust isn’t always easy— that’s why it’s crucial for first time horse owners to make sure they’re not unknowingly hurting their horse. 

Here are five key things new horse owners must know: 

1)      A horse’s mouth is sensitive. Many first-time horse owners assume they must use a bitted bridle to control their horse. But a metal bit can quickly become an instrument of torture in a horse’s tender mouth. Consider trying a bitless bridle instead. They cradle the horse’s head to let you apply gentle consistent pressure and release signals to ‘tell’ the horse where to go and provide exceptional control with less pain for the horse.   Do your research – the effectiveness of bitless bridles vary with the design of each model! 

2)      Heavy hands hurt! New horse owners think they have to tug strongly on the reins to control the horse. This can cause pain and lead to health problems for the horse. Many ‘behavior’ problems actually stem from heavy-handed riders. Talk to a qualified trainer about the best way to hold the reins to avoid confusing and/or hurting your horse. Riding in a bitless bridle can also help you develop softer hands and improve your use of other aids like your seat and legs. 

3)      Saddles are NOT one size fits all. You shouldn’t just walk into a tack store and buy the first saddle you see, or pick up bargain. A saddle should be fitted to your horse’s size and shape. Call the tack store ahead of time and get instructions to correctly measure your horse. Ask about treeless saddles; they’re softer, more flexible and more comfortable for the horse and rider. 

4)      Not all horses need shoes. Depending on where and how you ride and your horse’s living conditions, your horse may not need shoes. Hooves help pump the horse’s blood and some experts believe this function is enhanced when a horse is ‘barefoot.’ But it’s best to talk with your vet and farrier about what’s right for your horse’s specific needs. 

5)      Reward your horse. Don’t confuse intimidation with respect. Teaching your horse to obey because it’s frightened of you does not lead to a good relationship. Spend time bonding with your horse. Hang out in the round pen and consider riding freestyle. Simply petting your horse is a good way to reward good behavior.  

Zoe Brooks, a quality management consultant and horse farm owner, admits her first foray into owning a horse didn’t start with the mutual caring relationship she expected. Instead, her horse Hazel pushed her around. That’s when Zoe did some research and began using Natural Horsemanship methods and a whole new world opened up. Hazel was content to take trail rides outfitted in a rope halter with no bit. But as soon as Zoe tried riding her with a bit and bridle Hazel’s personality changed and she became combative. That’s what led Zoe to design the Nurtural No-Bit Bridle. 

“When you think about the mechanics of shoving a harsh hunk of steel into a horse’s mouth, it sounds rather barbaric,” says Brooks, co-founder of Nurtural Horse.  “The idea behind the bitless bridle is that if you remove the distraction and pain of a bit, the horse and owner are happier. Because bitless bridles are so much gentler yet still offer control, we’ve discovered they’re especially useful in training young horses and new riders.”  

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