Misty Run

06/30/2025

LOVE this! ❤️

06/28/2025

For educational purposes only. What do you think?

There’s a post doing the rounds that is referring to bitless riding as a “fad” and expressing concern about the prevalence of it.

It questions the value of bitless riding and even makes some claims that bitless riding doesn’t allow for horses to move as correctly.

Before we jump into this discussion — I am not “anti-bit” but I am anti-misinformation.

There is currently no evidence to suggest that bits are in some way more capable of creating correct movement under saddle.

Because of this, I think it is dangerous and gimmicky for trainers to suggest that they do and word it as if it is a fact.

Proper carriage of the body does not come from the mouth.

With a well trained horse, the reins should be the least used of the aids, ideally.

Furthermore, current studies on horse welfare under saddle pretty much unanimously question the ethicality of bits.

There is a lot more empirical research that supports the idea of reconsidering the compulsory use of bits than not.

Our industry is very tradition based and many people ride in bits due to it just being what is done.

There isn’t often much emphasis on the other options.

Riders becoming more aware of other alternatives to bits and choosing to ride bitless may make it feel like a fad but in reality, it’s just an indicator of people finally being able to exit the echo chamber that the horse world has built and realize there’s more options than the mainstream ones.

I think it’s important to maintain an unbiased perspective when it comes to horse welfare.

Currently, based on modern research, there is substantially more reason to question the use of bits in comparison to bitless.

“But bitless can break noses!”

A lot of the cases where people claim this has happened are anecdotal but that aside, if you’re riding with a hard enough hand to break a nose in a bitless bridle, you definitely should not be riding in a bit because you’ll also do damage.

Any damage caused by a bitless bridle is going to be a lot more visible.

Damage from bits can be hidden and many people, even those causing the damage, aren’t aware that it’s even occurred.

So, let me leave you with this:

There needs to be A LOT more research done on equine biomechanics before anyone can make the claim that bits result in a more biomechanically correct horse.

Current research, if anything, supports the idea of more people moving to Bitless because there is reason for concern about the ethicality of bits.

Can bits be ridden in ethically? Yes.

Are they massively misused? Also, yes.

Do they provide any proven benefit for equine biomechanics? No.

Can anyone actually describe by what biomechanical process a bit would result in a horse carrying themselves more correctly? Not that I’ve seen.

Even if they could, it isn’t yet supported by empirical evidence.

So, ride in what you want but be cautious of trainers that discount modern research that criticizes the equipment that they want to use.

Having as much information as possible to make an informed decision for you and your horse is a good thing.

Leaving the evidence of how prevalent oral damage is in horses out of any discussion that tries to discourage people from using bitless options is dishonest, in my opinion.

In order to use a bit correctly, people should be aware of the risk factors and the facts related to welfare studies on their use.

Signed,

Someone who exclusively used bits for years and now rides bitless more often due to both the empirical evidence and my own experience of many horses being more relaxed bitless.

06/27/2025

There’s this old, tired idea that riding is about control. That dressage is about making the horse submit. Taming the wild. Forcing precision.

But here’s the truth:

You don’t ride to break the horse. You ride so 𝑦𝑜𝑢 don’t break.

Because the horse isn’t the chaos. You are.

Your fear. Your tension. Your ego. Your overthinking.
Every crooked thought runs straight down the reins.
And the horse? He doesn’t care about your excuses. He shows you exactly who you are.

So you learn to breathe. To feel. To listen more than you speak.
You learn to hold your position in the storm.
You learn to ride into the fire, not to dominate it, but to survive it.

Dressage doesn’t make you perfect.
Done right, it makes you unbreakable.

Not because you control everything. But because you learn to hold your seat when everything falls apart.

It’s not about who you are when the ride begins, it’s who you are when you dismount.

06/22/2025

At the end of a very hot but successful day we sat and watched Tori Ewing put in a remarkable first ever freestyle. Congratulations to everyone who participated today and survived the heat. Tanks as always to Jennifer Cook for her coaching, Michele Ewing for letting Jen know what she was doing and when Ashley Stanton for helping with decorations and all sorts of stuff Erin Brown for her general support. Nadia A Craig for just popping up when needed for whatever was needed, I'm convinced I've forgotten someone.

06/21/2025

I think it's safe to say everyone will have a chance to shine this weekend!! Thank you so much to our generous sponsors for helping cover the costs of Rider swag, team backpacks and grooming bags for Champion and Reserve, Belt Buckles for our Western Champions, Silver Plates for DSE, Amazing Mugs for Sporthorse Handler and Prix Caprilli, special Freestyle Faceoff Swag, and high score Thoroughbreds and Pony/Small Horse divisions!! And did we mention all regular classes have a first place prize table?!

06/18/2025

Training Tip Tuesday. Zig zag leg yield + Figure 8. Leg yielding is an excellent precursor to lateral movements - while some will call it the first lateral movement - where the horse is moving from the inside leg to the outside rein and stepping underneath the body. This is an excellent exercise for encouraging the horse to step under the center of gravity, compress the hock and send the body sideways. It engages the inside hindleg thus increasing the carrying capacity, as well. When done correctly, this will increase impulsion, balance, coordination and suppleness. The figure 8 helps to improve suppleness and prepare the horse for the leg yield back to the rail by putting the horse onto the new outside rein.

In the leg yield, it is important not to bend the horse's body. Rather the horse should have a slight flexion opposite the direction of travel. Essentially, the horse's body should remain parallel to the rail. The rider should use the outside aids to prevent the horse from falling through the outside shoulder. It is also important that the rider maintain the rhythm of the gait, as the horse may become slightly stuck, especially when they are first learning to go forward and sideways. In this instance, it may be helpful to think about riding a step or 2 forward for every one step sideways.

Often riders find going away from the rail more difficult than going toward the rail. This is an excellent test of whether the horse is truly on the aids. If needed, you might try starting on the quarter line to begin the leg yield toward centerline to help prevent the horse from becoming stuck on the rail. Once the horse understands the exercise and what is being asked, then begin on the rail and proceed as shown.

05/22/2025

05/07/2025