Bob KinfordOwner, 2lazy4U Livestock & Literary Co · Owner at 2lazy4U Livestock & Literary Co

ClinicOneThomas_0001.wmv

4 Sept 2010 · 2 min

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2:28

In this instructional segment from a horse‑training clinic, the instructor critiques the interaction between rider Tomas and his horse, focusing on the horse’s adverse reactions when ridden with a bit. The horse exhibits signs of working off pain—head tossing, mouth opening, and erratic backing—indicating discomfort from the bit. The instructor demonstrates how switching to a tie‑down (bozal) reduces these problem behaviors: the horse’s head stays lower, the mouth stays closed, and the animal backs more calmly. The commentary also highlights the rider’s need to adjust rein pressure, noting that a slight increase in rein tension with the tie‑down yields better compliance without provoking the horse’s pain response. Finally, the instructor outlines the next steps for the clinic: teaching the horse to release the mouth and developing speed control through body cues rather than bit pressure. The overall tone is instructional and concerned, aiming to improve the horse’s responsiveness and welfare.

Chapters

This is a good example of a horse that's working off pain on the bit rather than just giving it pressure and acting like a part of the rider. See, he kind of gave his head there, but as soon as he goes to turn him around, throwing his head up, opening his mouth, he's working but not that good. It's like almost runaway. You can see here when he goes to back him up, look at that horse opening his mouth. Blame it, kid's going to be headed into problems unless we do something different. Now we've gotten completely out of this horse's mouth and just using his tie-down as a bozal. You notice the horse is turning. A little bit nicer. He's got his head down more. Tomas is having to put a little bit more pressure on, on the reins on his face than he did with the bit, but the horse is not reacting out of pressure. Backs up, picking his head up. But he's giving back. The mouth just needs to get out of his mouth. See, as soon as he starts going with that other rein, the horse opens his mouth and just not doing anything right. Horse's head's a little lower than it was with the bit. And he's backing without opening his mouth and picking up his head quite as high. See, there he went to pick him up with those reins on the bit and he started flipping his head a lot. Right there, you notice how his mouth opened up. Look at that. Out of the mouth instead of taking and wallowing around all over the place. The horse just went ahead and turned around on his hindquarters. Backing up. We're going to work on, on him this next clinic with taking and getting out of his mouth and teach him some speed control with the body.