Tuesday, March 31, 2009

7 Pressure Points Applied by a Bit


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Humans determined many eons ago that by placing a bit in a horse's mouth, you can exert pressure in several places in the mouth and head to give effective communication (or pain) to a horse. (I will address pain in another article since a student asked me about that not long ago.)
(photo on left of a cathedral spoon mouth bit that I use on my show horses to flex at the poll easily as I have such tiny, light hands. And I want to keep it that way!)

There are 4 pressure points in the horse's mouth and 3 pressure points on the head that can be affected by the bit and bridle:

  1. Bars of the mouth. Or the spaces or gums on the lower jaw of the horse, between the incisors and molars. Most bits will exert some pressure here on the gums at some point.
  2. Tongue. All bits place some pressure on the tongue at some point, pushing it down into the mouth.
  3. Corners of the mouth. The lips at the corners of the mouth where the bit rests against will have pressure applied. There is always pressure on the corners of the mouth when using a bit.
  4. Chin Groove. When a chin strap/chain is used with a curb bit, the chin strap will apply pressure to the chin groove when the reins are pulled. This is the fulcrum point for leverage in a curb bit.
  5. Palate.The palate or roof of the mouth on a horse has pressure from high ported bits that are at least 2 1/2" high. Such as vaquero bits and other high ported bits for advanced hands.
  6. Poll. The poll of the horse (at the top of the head) will have pressure applied to it by the main part of the bridle. Pressure on the poll release endorphins.
  7. Nasal Bone. The nasal bone area is extremely sensitive for horses and certain types of speciality bits or training equipment that use some type of noseband will apply pressure to the nasal bone.
How to Describe a Bit
So bits are often described by stating details about the mouthpiece, the details about the material used in the mouthpiece, the details about the shanks, and the details about the checkpieces.

The bit shown above on left would be called an 8" engraved aluminum shanked bit with a cathedral spoon mouthpiece and curved back shanks. The 8" is referring to the length of the shanks.
Can you guess what the bit is called in the photo on the right? It is made by Bill Freeman. It has short shanks. It has a correctional mouthpiece. The shanks are aluminum. And the mouthpiece has 'balls and ears' attached to the port. It's called a Bill Freeman- Short Shank Aluminum Correction Mouthpiece with Balls & Ears.
Mouthpiece - An Important Part of the Bit
Since 4 pressure points can be affected by the mouthpiece of the bit, the mouthpiece is a very important part of the bit. So mouthpieces are important to talk about when it comes to the bit you want to use on your horse.
Some bits are better depending on the type of horse. Some bits are better for certain riders. You have to match the bit to the horse's skills and the rider's skills.
That's what I will talk about next article. I'll also address the pain issue and that depends largely on the rider.
Does anyone have an interesting bit that they would like to share? Or a question about a certain type of bit? The internet has a ton of different bits to look at. It's great!

Until next time...

Questions and comments are always welcome.
Please join the comment section with your stories.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

Monday, March 30, 2009

Bits: Materials Used


Common Materials Used in Bits

(photos

showing

common mouthpiece materials).


  • Stainless steel: The most popular material for bits. Strong, easy to clean, and doesn't rust. It is considered to be a "cold" metal as it does not encourage salivation.

  • Copper: Warms up quickly. Encourages horse to salivate and to accept the bit. They wear out quickly and need to be replaced.

  • Copper alloy: by combining copper with a harder metal, the bit lasts longer.

  • Sweet iron: easily rusts, which encourages salivation and acceptance of the bit. This metal is used in many western disciplines, and is not as popular in the English.

  • Brass alloy: combination of brass, silicon, and aluminum. Similar to copper only cheaper.

  • Rubber: Softens the action of the bit. Very gentle, but are easily chewed and destroyed. Has to be replaced often. Doesn't taste good.

  • Aluminum: Considered a very bad choice for a mouthpiece as it tends to dry out the mouth and may be toxic. Good for shanks on curb bits.

  • Synthetics: Any number of tough plastics are used for bit designs, combining the softness of rubber with more durability. The best are not easily destroyed by chewing. (All courtesy of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit_mouthpiece#Mouthpiece_Material)
My Thoughts & Experience on Bit Materials
Stainless Steel is used more for shanks and mouthpieces that you want to stay looking shinny. They stay clean and will not rust. A lot of my show bits have stainless steel shanks.


There are some cheaper bits that use stainless steel for mouthpieces. I stay away from those as they tend to be poorly made. It's also bland tasting to the horse. Most of my training bits have stainless steel shanks.

Most bits that I use are sweet iron with copper inlays in the mouthpiece to encourage salivation. (See photo above). These bits rust. I like to see a bit rusty. Horses like the taste of rust. It is sweet to them. Unlike people, who have to stay away from rust. You will see quite a few of my bits rusty, including the cheek pieces. I like that antique look.


The other type of mouthpiece that I use is all copper. I have a D-ring snaffle with a copper mouthpiece that I use to get colts familiar with wearing a bit. All that copper helps them to like the taste of the bit. It encourages the horse to 'mouth it' or play with it.
My correctional bits also have copper rollers in the mouthpiece to encourage salivation.

I'm not familiar with using brass alloy, rubber, aluminum or synthetics in mouthpieces. I believe it is more commonly used by English riders. I do have bits that have aluminum shanks.


I tried to use a rubber mouthpiece bit a long time ago but I found the colts I start have small mouths and it's too much mouthpiece for them and they have trouble keeping all that material in their mouth. It's like they gag on it.

Next article, I'll talk about the fun stuff..... the different types of mouthpieces. This is where the bits get interesting.... I wonder how many different types of mouthpieces there are?

I just read one on the internet that has 'balls and ears'!! Never saw that before! They are inventing new ones all the time.

I really need to talk about the main point about bits and that's how the bit effects a horse's mouth. Greg Darnall's pamphlet that I mentioned in the first article really describes it well. I'll review it in the next article and then go on to mouthpieces.

Until next time, I encourage everyone who's interested in bits to pick up that pamphlet. I got mine at Pleasant Ridge Saddlery in Brantford many years ago.

Questions and comments are welcome. Please join in!
If you need any help with bits, please contact me.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

Friday, March 27, 2009

Trainer Snaffle Bit - Or is it? A Quiz




A Snaffle by any other name.....

Photo on left shows a bit called a Trainer's Snaffle bit. Or a Tom Thumb Trainer Snaffle. This is quite a popular bit in these parts.

Photo at top shows another Tom Thumb Trainer's snaffle with a simple jointed mouthpiece. They are sometimes also referred to as a shanked snaffle.

"A What?" You say... A shanked snaffle is a common confusing term.

Is it a snaffle? Or is it?

Which type is it? Really?

"Will the real snaffle bit please stand up!!!"

Here's your quiz..... Are those bits really snaffles like they claim to be?

Answer below.

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Remember... a snaffle does not use leverage. So a snaffle does not have shanks as shanks are used for leverage.

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Have you guessed it yet?

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"And the answer is:"

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They are curbs bits.

A snaffle does not have shanks or use the leverage priniciple.

These bits have shanks.

Don't be fooled by the name.

Just because the bit normally has a simple jointed mouthpiece (like on a common snaffle) it is not a snaffle. The mouthpiece has nothing to do with it.

Good.... I'm glad we got that out of the way! :)

Next article we'll talk about the materials used.

Questions and comments are always welcome.
If you want to discuss or want clarity on any other bits, please contact me.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

Bits - Snaffle & Curb






2 Types of Bits
There are 2 types of bits: a snaffle and a curb.

Photo on left shows a typical D-Ring snaffle (D-ring to describe the checkpieces) with a copper jointed mouthpiece.

Def'n of a Snaffle

A snaffle applies direct pressure on the horse's mouth, with no use of leverage and the reins are attached to the check piece. Works on the bars of the mouth, the corners of the mouth and the tongue. For 1lb. of pull on the reins = 1lb. pressure in the mouth. Wikipedia has good information on snaffles here.

Photo at top shows a curb bit called a correctional showing an example of a port, bars, purchase, shank and cheekpiece.

Def'n of a Curb
A curb bit uses the leverage principle or indirect pressure by means of the shanks and the curb chain as the fulcrum point. Works on the bars of the mouth, under the chin (via curb chain) and over the poll. For 1lb. of pull on the reins = more than 1lb. pressure in mouth. (A 2.5+ inch port will add pressure to the pallette). Again, Wikipedia has some information on curbs here.

All other bits are really just variations of these 2 basic types. There are special bits or training equipment like bitless bridles, easy stops, gag bits, hackamore etc... that I can touch on as well.

Next article I will talk about the different types of mouthpieces and some materials that are used. This is where it gets interesting....

I want to cover the mouthpieces and the materials used so that we can get into talking about the special purpose of some bits and when to use each type of bit.

If you have any bit that you want to talk about, please contact me and I will include it.

Until next time.... oh! I have a quiz for you next article... :) Here's a cute quiz from About.com.

Questions and comments always welcome.
If you need help with bits or training equipment, please feel free to contact me.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

Thursday, March 26, 2009

History of Bits

Let's start with a definition, the history of bits and their use. (photo of custom designed bit courtesy Tom Howe, Silversmith)

Wikipedi has a great definition and history of bits here.

A Bit of History

•"
The first horse bits were made of rope, bone, horn, or hard wood.
• Metal bits came into use between 1300 and 1200 BC, originally made of bronze.
•Throughout history, the need for control of horses in warfare drove extensive innovation in bit design, producing a variety of prototypes and styles over the centuries, from Ancient Greece into modern day use."
(Information provided by www.reinsmanbits.com)

Their Use
From my presentation: " an Effective Communication tool between horse & rider that is clear, concise, and painless.”
“To make it easy for the horse to understand what you want.

Communication is everything!”

That's it... plain and simple.... A tool to talk to your horse.

Youtube has a few videos on bits and their use. Here is a video explaining bits and the different types. Found here. (It's a bit long).

Next article I'll discuss the 2 types and how they differ. I also define the different parts of a bit so that we are 'on the same page' when we get into more detail.

Questions and Comments are always welcome.
If you have an interesting stories to talk about, please share them in the comments section.
If you want more information or help on Bits or anything else mentioned here, please contact me.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

A bit about Bits

I'm often asked about the different types of bits that I use for training and what I would recommend for students.
I will do a series of articles outlining some basics about bits:
  • their uses,
  • when to use them,
  • when to move to a stronger bit,
  • when to move to a milder bit,
  • and when will a particular bit help you with performance on your horse.
I've recommended some bits lately to a few students and I will talk about that too when we get to that section. It will be helpful to know why I recommended those bits.

I will take information from a lecture I did January 2008 at the Grey Bruce Farmer's Week Horse day. (Photo at top of presentation).

I also have a few photos of bits that I will talk about. It's a hobby of mine to collect bits so I have quite a few. If anyone has an interesting one that they want to comment on..... please do!

My History of Bits
I was always a bit mystified about bits....

I've been riding horses on my own since I was 6 years old and I never really understood about bits and their uses.... other then it was used to control the horse.

So when I started into training reining horses 17 years ago, and wanted to use bits appropriately and properly..... I started my quest to learn as much about bits as I could.

When I started asking questions, I often got confusing information about bits. For instance, a bit called a 'training snaffle' is really not a snaffle at all .... but a curb bit referred to as a 'combo' bit with a jointed mouthpiece where you can attached reins to the mouthpiece rings and/or the end of the shanks....

That's confusing..... People often refer to a bit as a snaffle just because the mouthpiece is a simple jointed mouthpiece.
But the mouthpiece has nothing to do with it. It's whether the bit has shanks or uses the leverage principle or not. Still sound confusing?...

I will explain in the next few articles.

Greg Darnall
is a good source for information. A pamphlet called "A Bit of Information: Texan Greg Darnall Discusses Bits and Bitting" (Softcover) by Fran D. Smith, Greg Darnall
Western Horseman, Inc., 10/1996, 16 pages (ISBN: 0911647376/ ISBN-13: 9780911647372 )

It really become a fascination for me to learn and understand the different types of bits and their intended purpose. Of course there are only 2 types: a curb and a snaffle.

Hope you enjoy this series of articles on bits.

Questions and comments are always welcome.
If you need help with information on bits, please feel free to contact me.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

Friday, March 20, 2009

Now on Facebook

We're Now on Facebook

Fun!

Share.

Learning.

Ideas.

Community.

Please come join me at the Foundation Reining Training Centre group on facebook!

See you there!
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

Education - Always Learning

Keep Learning

Learn.

Read.

Do.

Do.

Do.

I'm such a big advocate of learning.

Whatever it is.... be it horses, computers, anything.

Especially today when.... for some reason or not... people are forced to change careers.

(photo above of a lesson in Stable Management course at Horse Courses Online by Don & Eleanor Blazer). Their articles are often featured in TheRider magazine.

There are a lot of great equine education programs out there including Equine Guelph.

I encourage everyone to keep learning!

As I always say.....
'Thumbs up for learning!"
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

Monday, March 16, 2009

Can-Am This Weekend

Can-Am

Please join me this weekend at the Agri-Plex Builidng, Western Fair Event Centre in London, Ontario for 3 days of great events, lectures, demonstrations and an extraganza!

I am thrilled again to work the Ontario Reining Horse Association (ORHA) booth on Saturday.

If you there, please stop by and say hi. Always happy to chat about all things horse.

(photo on left of me with a friend at the ORHA booth, photo on right of Schedule of Events)

See you there!
Reinersue

Spring Tune Up by Riding in the Open Air

Spring is here!
Time to get out and ride in the open! Unpark your horse. Stretch those muscles and get in shape!

Check those fences.
Check the cows.
Go deer watching.... Check for turkeys.

Enjoy the sunshine!

Wasn't it a great weekend this past weekend?

Dust off your working saddle and go for a ride.... down the road or in the woods...

Do a system's check (can't help it... it's from my computer career) on your horse and see where they are at...

Great time to set some goals for this year.

I rode my 2 good mares this weekend to see how they faired over the winter. (After a busy show season, I give them the winter off.) Both are eager to work. Both love to work cows.
I rode around the fields, checking for fallen trees and fence lines. We had a big wind storm up here between xmas and new year's and we have many fallen trees. My neighbour Brad and I will go back on the 4-wheeler's or by horseback and fix fence.

Road Smart
I've also started to stretch their muscles as I want to condition my horses to do a lot of road riding this year. I have a few students who are close to me and I want to be able to ride down to their place and go riding in the open. It's great for my horses to get in condition that way. I've always liked to do it.

It's gets the horses 'road smart'. (Of course, I wear a helmet for safety on my young or new horses.)

What are your plans?

Riding in the open is a great opportunity to work on your foundation work.

As a famous man once said....'May you always ride a great horse.'

Questions and comments are always welcome.
If you need suggestions on what to work on while trail riding, please contact me.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Train The Trainer Teachings

How to Become a Trainer or Train The Trainer Teachings
Lessons teach students how to start their own horse under saddle, how to put a foundation on their horse and how to train their own horse (using effective horsemanship and reining techniques).

They also learn how to fix their own horse.

I do have lesson horses that I use. They are retired champion reining mares. I use them to teach people what it's supposed to feel like when you have accomplished the goal. 


For colt starting and foundation work, I usually work with the student's horse. I do travel a lot to student's location for lessons. It's a more comfortable environment for the student when they are at home.

I do have young stock here too that I can work on with a student if they don't have a horse. Usually my students have horses that need work on too.


Questions and comments are always welcome.
If you have any questions about lessons or apprenticing, please contact me.

Putting my spin on Traing the Trainer lessons.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Email, Phone & Video Lessons - Youtube?

How Video Lessons Work

Video and phone lessons or email lessons work the same. We book a time to talk about the topic so you and I are prepared.

In the case of a video lesson, you would send me a video clip of what you want a lesson on or via
youtube
, you send the fee via an email money transfer then and I review it before our scheduled time (lesson). A cell phone video is fine.

For email lessons, you can send me all the emails you want to describe what you want a lesson on and I can read them and digest them before our scheduled time (lesson).

For just a phone lesson, you can send me emails or information or just wait until we talk at our scheduled time (lesson).

Payment is as easy as sending me an email money transfer.

At the scheduled time, you call me and we have the lesson over the phone. Hay, I just thought of something.... you could actually be on your horse at that time using your cell phone and we could do a lesson that way! That would be cool.

We could also have the lesson by me responding to your email, or video lesson by emails. That way you would have a record of it.

So you can see I'm really flexible in this way. This saves on fuel and time travel. Of course they are not the same as hands-on but it's great for people who can't get to me as often as they like. This works great too in between face to face lessons.


Questions and comments are always welcome.
If you have any more questions about my very innovative services, please contact me.

Putting my spin on flexible lesson formats.
Reinersue
©KISS Reiners

Monday, March 9, 2009

No Point in Spurs

When Not to Use SpursThis is a good topic to discuss.
Questions and comments and stories! are always welcome.
If you need more information on spurs, please contact me.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

(photo on left of one of a pair of mexican spurs that I bought in Mexican Village in Detroit, Mi many, many years ago. You can see that I use it as a lamp decoration.)

There are times when spurs need to come off or when a milder pair of spurs are needed.

Milder spurs maybe needed when the riding you want to do requires alot more leg movement. I use milder spurs for example when I am out on cattle drives. I know that I may use my leg more quickly or harder than I may realize, so I want to have a more forgiving or gentler spur.
I may even take the spurs off if the horse is the sensitive type.

As riders, we try to use as gentle of a spur as we can that's effective. Just like bits.

I also think it's a good idea to take spurs off when someone has no idea on how to use them. If a rider doesn't know to turn their toe outwards and push the spur into the side of the horse then they could create problems. A very gentle bumping action is ok too.

Of course we all know not to harpoon a horse.

Which leads me to another reason to take spurs off... and that's when the horse is getting agitated with the spurs. The tail is swishing. The horse is tossing their head. Or the horse is getting chargey or uppitty (it that a word? :).

The tail swishing can become a permanent bad habit. (A tool in their 'tool kit' that we DON'T want. You can't get rid of tail swishing like cribbing or weaving so it's best to prevent it from starting.)

The horse is trying to tell you that you don't know how to use a spur properly (ie. to push) or you are using the wrong kind. (Too sharp and it hurts. Too mild and you're nagging.)

These are all great signs from your horse that you need to change your spurs.

I also don't use spurs when I am first starting to ride a horse. Like in the case of Trigger, our live example for these articles. I don't know how Trigger is going to react and I also don't know his history of spurs. I will be putting them on shortly, now that I know that he understands my leg cues and is still dull in response to just my leg.

I also don't use spurs when I am first starting a horse under saddle. I know some people do and that's great. That means that the trainer knows how to be extra careful when using them. I just prefer not to make a mistake and accidently scare a horse.....

That leads me to an interesting story....

The Green Broke ? Lucky Buzz Horse
One of the things that I like to do is train..... So I will on occasion buy a 'project' from one of the local horse auctions in this area. A green broke (just started) or unbroke young horse to train and then resell.
Very early in my career, I decided to buy this grullo colored young gelding with Lucky Buzz breeding. I was told that the horse was 'green broke'.

I know... I know.... Buyer beware..... Well.....

With my mild spurs on (I call them 'baby' spurs), horse tacked up and ready to ride, I mounted the horse to get started. As soon as my spur of the opposite leg had reached around and touched his sides..... I was off....

Bucking!.... That horse bucked all the way across the riding pen!!! I stayed on but it was quite an 8 sec. ride! Apparently he didn't have very much riding on him.... I guessed afterward that he might have had someone on him once.

Needless to say, I took the spurs off! I've been careful every since. :) (And you guessed it.... it was before my extensive groundwork program. Groundwork..... anyone?... :O)


If there is anything else that a reader would like to know about spurs, then let me know and I will be happy to write more.
There are many points on spurs! :)

Thanks to my student & friend Catherine for the suggestion on spurs.

The Point of Spurs

Why Use Spurs?

(photo of a pair of Clinton Anderson aussie spurs)

I had a gelding once that was heavy sided. Which means the horse would not listen very well to my leg cue. (Much like Trigger in my articles. I never got to the point of using spurs on him).
 
I was having trouble getting the horse to change leads. He would not yield his hind end every time when I asked him to. He would sometimes miss the lead change. I also had trouble getting him to maneuver around things like trees or move him around while riding in the open.
 
I got to the point where my legs were killing me to get this horse to leg yield; I had to push, bump and kick so hard! My legs were so sore after I rode.

I couldn't do it anymore. It wasn't any fun. It was getting so that I was reluctant to ride him.
 
This is why you need to use spurs!
 
He and I ended up being the 2003 Reining Canada Novice Horse Non-Pro Top 10. With this gelding, I had to end up using fairly sharp spurs since he was so dull sided and I have such a short and light leg!

I also want to mention the other point of spurs and that is to refine your leg cues. To refine your communication with your horse. Having to press, bump, kick and then kick harder was not learning to refine my leg cue.... rather the opposite. It just teaches riders to get in a bad habit of kicking your horse all the time. That's inhumane.
 
So that is why we need to use spurs!!!
 

The example above is a good time to put on spurs or a sharper spur (in this case). When the rider is having trouble getting the horse to respond promptly to a leg yield and has had to bump, kick and then repeatedly kick to get a response, then it's time.
 
Or when the rider has to repeatedly really press hard with a light spur to the point of hurting your leg, then you have to move up to a sharper spur. The horse will not lighten up or respond promptly to the lighter spur. (It's similar to going from no spur to a light spur.)

The idea here is that the rider has tried for a period of time to get the horse to lighten up to the spur-less leg cue and it just ain't workin. Or the rider has to repeatedly lighten up the horse to the lighter spur at the beginning of most rides .... then it's time to move to a sharper spur.
 
Depends on the Horse Too

Some horses are more naturally dull sided than others. Conversely, some horses are quite sensitive on their sides and spurs would not be needed as a motivator. It depends on the horse's temperament.

 
The other time to use spurs (and there maybe others) is when the balanced rider is ready to refine or quieten down their leg cue. They want the leg cue to be a light or slight cue. Just a gentle push with the spur on the horse's side.
 
That's the time to use a spur. As a balanced rider you feel ready to advance your skills and to advance the horse's skills to a level of lighter leg cues. Just like the masters do. Next article will talk about when not to use spurs.


Questions and comments are always welcome.
If you need help with spurs or anything else please contact me.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Spurs

My Spur History
I remember when I first started using spurs 17 years ago when I started in reining. Everyone was using spurs.... so I did too.

To fit in, of course....

It felt cool. Like one of the gang. And I loved the sound of the spurs hitting the ground. It is a nice jingle sound. (No wonder vaqueros put jingle bobs on their spurs. It was almost musical...)

I had never used them before. Didn't know how. Before then, I thought I didn't need them. And I was a little afraid to use them.

Besides...... I was also concerned that I would hurt my horse. Or much worse.... cause a problem that couldn't be fixed.

Sound familiar?
If you're like me, rather than using the spurs effectively, I really was very ineffective. I didn't want to hurt my horse. I probably ended up being a nag to my horse.

I still see that a lot now a days.

Horses end up swishing their tails or ringing their tails to let us riders know that we are being a nag. And if we don't become aware of this and change our use of spurs.... well then.... we've developed a bad habit in our horse.

No wonder there is so much bad press about spurs. I think riders just would rather not use them than make a mess.

How I Improved
Through trial and error and a lot of feedback from my horse, I learned how to use spurs. In reining, and other sports, spurs are necessary.

I also read a lot too. This was also the time I started to read everything I could from Bob Avila. I, like everyone, wanted to know how to use spurs properly. There is so much anti-spur fear everywhere that I wanted to know what all the fuss was about.

I think that's just it.... fear.... We humans are hesitant around anything that people fear. And spurs is one of them.

One thing I always say is 'the more severe the equipment, the less you use and the more you let the horse know they are there'. Spurs is a good example. To me, they really are to increase the effectiveness of your communication.

I'm reminded of a Stacey Westfall's article where she explains matter-of-factly the purpose of spurs. Namely: 1) Nothing more than a motivator and 2)they will not fix your problems.

Next 2 articles will talk about why a rider needs to use spurs, when to use spurs and when not to use spurs so as not to cause problems in your horse. I want to alleviate the fear of spurs for you. And to give more information on their use as well.

Until next time... Oh... Here's an interesting article on the history of spurs. I can't vouch for the accuracy.

Questions and comments are always welcome.
If you need help with spurs or anything else, please contact me.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

Monday, March 2, 2009

Regional Equine Agricultural Centre of Huron (Clinton)

I wanted to highlight today a new Agriculture facility now available in Central Ontario.

Here is some information from their website:
"The Regional Equine & Agricultural Centre of Huron (REACH) will be operated as a non-profit Municipal Corporation.
The Centre will function as a "motel for education", offering innovative programming as well as recreational activities to support both the equine and agricultural industries.
The Centre will be located in Clinton, Ontario, the heart of Huron County, 78 km north of London, 97 km west of Kitchener, and close to the intersection of Provincial Highways 4 & 8.
The Centre will support the large animal sector industries.
Within a one hour drive of the Centre there are:
• 123,000 horses, representing 32% of Ontario's horse population ..."
They have a Grand Opening planned for Saturday, Sept. 12th, 2009. You can check out their website and join their emailing list for news.
I
'm hoping for a opportunity to work and show at that new complex.
Questions and comments are always welcome.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners