06/26/2024
I think it’s interesting how this information recirculates in waves. And yet everyone that posts about it thinks they’re discovering some thing new. I am very grateful to this next generation that is starting to pay attention to things that we should’ve paid attention to earlier on and didn’t know better. I don’t think anyone wants to cause pain to their horses. With the speed of instant share it is getting easier to educate ourselves and learn. However- we all know you can’t trust everything you read on the Internet. This, however I think it’s good information to share and although it’s not the first time this has been said it’s the most recent and I find it again interesting that people keep taking up this torch. Good for them.
A bit of a rant today in attempt to encourage riders to use their critical thinking skills and not do something because 'so-and-so told me' or 'big name rider' does it.
I have been meaning to voice my concern about nosebands for a very long time. Thanks to Becks Nairn who posted a great video on her public page about the anatomy of the Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) today, with even deeper detail on her Patreon, to give me a reminder to voice my concerns. If you're squeamish it's a dissection video so beware.
I am literally gobsmacked at the number of educated and well meaning equestrians who still insist on tight nosebands and flashes on their horses. This is not limited to newbies to the sport, but encompasses those at the highest levels and education. In this day and age of easy access to evidence based, scientific documentation of virtually any topic you can imagine, how is it that equestrians fail to recognize the importance of a horses need to mobilize their jaw in order to have full proprioception of their legs, not to mention the strain created as they are trying to open their mouths against this forced closure. Read - Headache, TMJ pain amongst others.
If you ride with me, one of the first things I will do as a conscientious coach is check your tack. I will always remove flashes and loosen nose bands with the riders permission - educating them on why this is important. When I ask why the rider feels the need to have the noseband and/or flash too tight, the number one response is, 'my coach told me to have it this tight'. The second, 'my horse fusses with the bit and opens his mouth' or my favorite, 'to hold the bit in place'. Just think about that one for a moment.
A couple things. Bit fit and acceptance needs to be taught from the ground. Few are skilled enough to teach it from the saddle. If your horse chews softly on the bit it's not a bad thing. I would far rather have a mobile jaw than a clamped shut, tense jaw.
If you think tying the horses mouth shut is going to save you from a horse running off with you by getting the bit between his teeth - that is a huge training issue. A good stop is a must before we ever get in the saddle. We need to go back and train the halt from soft pressure from the ground and then add from our seat in the saddle.
Having taken a considerable amount of body work and energy work courses with horses over the years, I have developed the ability to 'feel' the horse. Call me woo-woo or a quack or whatever you like, but many more horses than we realize have headaches and jaw pain from trying to escape bit pressure with their mouth tied shut. The very least I can do, and I feel it is my responsibility as an ethical coach, to relieve the horse from that pressure and educate the rider as to why it's detrimental. Control comes from the seat not the hands, (except in emergencies, then all bets are off).
So, try this. Hook your thumbs under either side of your jaw and loop your fingers over the bridge of your nose. Clamp as tightly as you dare, then try to open your jaw. My guess is that you will let go of the fingers across your nose before very long. If you are able to hold it, your jaw will begin ache and you will very likely get a temporal headache from the strain. Not to mention the discomfort on the bridge of your nose.
The ability of humans to have cognitive dissonance when it comes to the equipment we use on our horses just boggles my mind. I know we love them. Why then can we subject them to such a cruel practice of tying their mouth shut??
Google 'hyoid', 'TMJ' in horses. Look at the images and read about their function. Education is power and education can make us more empathetic to the harm and ultimately dis-function we cause to our horses.
I was going to include one of the many horrific photos of dogs with their mouths tied shut for impact. I just can't do it. Think of these images when you're tightening that noseband or flash next ride. I highly doubt you'd do this to your dog.
Instead, I'm going to leave you with a lovely image of my friend and colleague who visited recently, Lauren Phelan-Rivard, owner/operator of Bellrock Stables in Kingston, Ontario on my mare Gracie. Note there is no noseband yet the horse looks relaxed and effortless. ❤️
