Blinders

I don’t know the answer to your question, but I just logged on to ask a question about blinders, which relates to part of yours. So I guess I’ll tag it on here. I used to drive ponies single in open bridles (without blinders) before I even knew I “should” have been using blinders. Now I’d like to convert my team, which is used to blinders, to open bridles but I’m not sure how much re-training is involved. Does anyone drive that way? How much retraining did you do? My ponies are new to me and haven’t been worked in a year. Therefore, I’m reviewing with them anyway and thinking that this might be a good time to switch bridles. On the other hand, maybe we should get used to the program before making a change. Any thoughts? Also, anyone on here drive bitless? I’ve been checking out this bitless bridle: http://www.nurturalhorse.com/ My ponies absolutely detest their (snaffle) bridles. I’m generally into doing things as “natural” and minimalist as possible, so these things appeal to me. Thanks!

I run pigeon wing and square no difference other than style – I do have a gelding that goes blinderless – he is a very steady horse and we have a strong trust – He likes to see what is going on and I’m comfortable letting him – I will say that a sudden change from seeing some to all may take getting used to –
I had a mare rub her bridle and break it on a job a long way from home and the only spare in the trailer was a riding bridle – she went from blinders to none in ten minutes – It was interesting trying to keep her focused and relaxed – she could see it all and I think it was too much – after a day working with it she had a better understanding and realized that not everything was going to bite her –
John

I agree with Tristan and John. I think some horses do better with blinders and some without. It takes skill on the teamsters part to read the situation and the horse, and THAT in my mind is the important piece in regard to sorting out how to do it. I also think some horses do better in blinders for some activities and better without for others. My Reno goes in in an open bridle for just about everything as a single. I have had to put him in blinders as a team, mostly to keep him focused. In an open bridle he hassles his teammate mercilessly. His teammate, on the other hand, does not do well in an open bridle. He just comes unglued when the object behind him moves, and he can see it. I think I could get him past that, but why bother when he is absolutely perfect with blinders on….steady as they come.

So I think when considering taking horses out of blinders, you should consider ‘why’ you want to change this? If you are not having trouble with your team, I would have to have a good reason to want to change that. I took Reno out of blinders because he was unconfident working alone and seeing me seemed to help him with that. I can see that I was right, given his confidence with a teammate now. Anyway, Its nice to have an idea of how your horse or team would do without blinders in case you have to do it, as John pointed out, but whether to put the effort into going from blinders to open, is a personal preference for the most part, and will depend on the horse and situation.

There is a commonn misconception that horses, or any animal for that matter, focus on the details of a situation. It makes no difference to the horse if there are blinders or not. What they care about is whether or not you are giving them adequate guidance given the situation.

If their sight is limited, and that affects the situation, then how are YOU going to deal with that? Sure remove the blinder, but that won’t improve your leadership, it just removes a physical barrier allowing the horse to arrive at its own comfort zone….. without your guidance.

It also just perpetuates your focus on material aspects of the situation, as if they actually matter. If instead you focus on effective leadership in guiding your animals, it shouldn’t matter if they are blind, blindered, or under attack from a saber toothed tiger. The pieces of your harness, bridle, bit, etc., are tools you use to accomplish your task, while they facilitate your communication, don’t let them distract you from actually improving communication.

Carl

I really like the pigeon blinders because they don’t seem to crowd the eyes as much.