Product Review
Review of Horse Schools, Third Edition
:: By Beth Powers

Are you looking to change careers or possibly start a new one in the horse industry? Well a great resource book is available to you. “Horse Schools, Third Edition” by Angelia Almos, published by Trafalgar Square Books is a comprehensive to guide to all types of training and education around the world.

The amount of information can be overwhelming to someone just starting to look for a career with horses, but I found this book very easy to use. There is a comprehensive introduction to the book of how the categories are laid out. An index that lists over 250 careers in the horse world follows this introduction.

The schools listed have a description of the program, degrees or accreditation offered, contact person, basic tuition and fee structure. All this information is listed even of those schools not in the United States. The schools are listed by state and country, and there is also extensive material on contacts for the Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Associations. The back of the book lists all the Equestrian Federations from around the world and gives the reader a phone number and email address for each.

Small icon silhouettes precede the listings and they refer to the type of school and what programs are offered. So if the reader was looking for a public school that offered barrel racing and horseshoeing they can see by a glance at these the silhouettes of the barrel racer and the hoof pick if the school chosen offered these programs.

The best feature of this book is the Horse School Questionnaire on pages 6-8. There are over 40 questions to think about and ask a potential school. Everything from “How long has the program been in existence?” to “What is the cost of boarding?” They are not meant to be the only questions a person can ask, but are a great place to start. Higher education is a big investment in one’s future, so it’s best to have as much information as possible.

This book is so user friendly that it is a must have for those who are looking to start in the horse industry, those doing a career change, or for those that want more information on what is available for educational opportunities. To order a copy of your own, contact Trafalgar Square Books or 800-423-4525. 

Sponsor Highlight

Benefits of the Cross-Under Bitless Bridle
:: By Dr. Robert Cook

I am proud that my company, The Bitless Bridle Inc. is sponsoring CHA. Our objectives are so compatible that the ‘marriage’ might have been made in horse heaven. For 57 years, I have been a veterinary surgeon and teacher, with a research focus on the horse’s head. Eight years ago, my research spawned a product and I became a salesman. I declare this conflict unashamedly as I know that I am doing more to help horses and riders now than at any previous time.

Before you assume that the product is snake-oil, please read an independent opinion from Dr. Jessica Jahiel’s newsletter archives that contains the quote, “By giving up the use of the bit, you don't sacrifice any control…” Click Here for More Info. See also her article “What is this new Bitless Bridle?”.

The cross-under bitless bridle (CBB) is painless and it eliminates the fear and nervousness responsible for most of the hundred or more behavioral problems caused by the bit (more info). Without a bit there is also no impediment to breathing, so the horse performs more willingly and accidents caused by fatigue are less likely. Because a bitless horse can stride in time with its breathing, the gait is more rhythmic and graceful. It is also more efficient because the CBB doesn’t interfere with the energy-saving ‘head bob’ (read more). As bits frequently cause painful bone spurs on the bars of the mouth and problems such as headshaking (facial neuralgia), the CBB avoids both of these serious side-effects.

The mode of action of the bridle is simple but subtle. At no time can rein pressure be anything but trivial as it is always well distributed. For signaling to slow or stop, intermittent tension on both reins hugs the whole of the head. The greatest pressure, such as it is, occurs across the bridge of the nose, with less pressure on the chin and cheek, and least pressure on the poll. As seen in the line drawing for steering, tension on one rein (black arrow) nudges one half of the head (white arrows).

The longer stride of the horse translates into greater speed. Obviously, this is of special relevance to the racehorse, but other horses also walk and trot faster. The more energy-efficient stride promotes greater stamina. Freedom from pain allows a horse to focus on the job in hand, engendering confidence and courage. Absence of oral pain means that the horse’s neck is not tense. Consequently, the back too remains flexible and stiff, choppy gaits are avoided. Elimination of bit-induced head shaking allows a horse to perform better in dressage, show jumping and all other disciplines. Removing a steel rod from a sensitive body cavity eliminates a major physiological confusion. A bit triggers dominance of the digestive mode, whereas what is needed in the exercising horse is the respiratory and cardiovascular mode. Problems such as a gaping mouth, protruding tongue, excessive salivation and repeated swallowing are eliminated when the oral foreign body is removed (more info).

The key to success with a bitted bridle is ‘good hands.’ The term describes the minimal use of hands and, therefore, the minimal amount of pain. The less a rider depends on hand aids, the more her performance and that of her horse improves. The ultimate of ‘good hands’ is no bit at all. By definition, therefore, the CBB guarantees ‘good hands’ and focuses the rider’s attention on communicating by seat and legs, balance and breathing. It makes for better riders. It also avoids the need for riders to constantly correct a resistant horse. Instead they ride a compliant horse and can foster that harmony and partnership which is the goal of good horsemanship.

The bit – incorrectly viewed as necessary for control – frequently causes loss of control and a host of negative side-effects. For example, bit-induced pain triggers bolting. A horse that defends itself from the bit by placing it between its teeth or under its tongue deprives the rider of all control. Bit-induced problems such as bolting, rearing, bucking, and rushing or refusing jumps, are causes of serious injury to the rider or even sudden death. Bit-induced fear can be the cause of a horse becoming aggressive (biting & kicking) in the stable. A bitted horse may become dangerous at the moment of mounting. Hair-trigger responses to the bit or over-reaction to bit aids are to be avoided in an animal as powerful as a horse.

The CBB is easy to fit, versatile and universal. It can serve as a bridle, lead halter and lunging cavesson. It is usable on all sizes, types and temperaments of horse and by riders of all ages and experience. It is a particular boon for handicapped, young or novice riders as they cannot hurt their horse. Apart from limitations on use of the CBB for certain competitions, currently imposed by FEI rules, there are no contraindications for its use in any discipline.

Benefit to CHA Certified Instructors
A personal benefit of CHA membership now available with the new partnership is that CHA Certified Instructors can purchase the new bridle and the book ‘Metal in the Mouth’ at a 15% discount. Simply call toll free 866-235-0938 and quote your membership number. In this way, you can supplement your income while solving problems. Each bridle comes with a comprehensive manual. Technical support and advice is provided free of charge by phone or via email.

As a further benefit you are invited to download copyrighted articles and other handout material from the Bitless Bridle website and, with acknowledgment, use these items in your educational programs and publications. Once you have become an experienced user of the CBB and have studied ‘Metal in the Mouth’ and other scientific articles, even though you may still instruct on bitted bridles as well, you become eligible to apply for appointment as a Bitless Bridle Instructor and style yourself as such on your business literature. I look forward to working with you to advance safety and education in the horse industry.

About the Author: Dr. Robert Cook, FRCVS., PhD., Professor of Surgery Emeritus of Tufts University, Massachusetts, is a veterinarian who, for most of his career since graduating from the Royal Veterinary College, London, in 1952, has been a faculty member of clinical departments at schools of veterinary medicine in the UK and USA. He is the author of two books for horsemen, Specifications for Speed in the Racehorse: The Airflow Factors, and Metal in the Mouth: The Abusive Effects of Bitted Bridles.

CHA at the American Horse
Council Meeting in Washington, DC

CHA President Pat Mullins and Executive Director Christy Landwehr attended the American Horse Council’s 2007 National Issues Forum in Washington, DC. The event was a huge success, featuring dozens of respected speakers on important issues and opportunities to meet and mingle with federal legislators and regulators. More than 150 people gathered at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel from June 17 to 19, to participate in committee meetings, attend panels on different topics and socialize with other attendees and Congressional staffers.

In addition to covering the latest federal legislation introduced and discussing grassroots lobbying techniques, the Forum was a chance to generate discussion on several pressing issues within the horse industry. Among the topics covered were Equine Identification and the National Animal Identification System with speakers J. Burton Eller, deputy under secretary at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Dr. Jim Morehead and Billy Smith, co-chairs of the Equine Species Working Group.

Several speakers shared their experiences with state horse parks. John Nicholson, Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park, talked about how that facility became a world-class operation. Richard E. Hancock, vice-chairman of the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park Authority, discussed the recently completed Florida Horse Park and J. Robert Burke of the Maryland Horse Industry Board shared his experiences with trying to establish a state horse park in Maryland.

Attendees were given a sneak peek at a very exciting equestrian event by Jack Kelly, CEO of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010. Mr. Kelly emphasized the potential of this occasion to bring general public awareness to the horse industry because of the huge international draw to the FEI World Games.

Dr. Mylon Filkins, Chairman of the AHC Recreation Committee and a past chairman of the Back Country Horsemen of America, presented two videos chronicling a successful partnership between horsemen, forestry services and youth groups to maintain trails for horseback riders and others. The Unwanted Horse Coalition also shared the work they have done, including debuting their website, publishing an awareness brochure, attracting several new group members and developing a handbook about “Owning Responsibly.”

To learn more about the American Horse Council, please visit their website. As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities. Organized in 1969, the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media and the industry on behalf of all horse related interests each and every day.