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Goodnight Bitting System Bundle
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Goodnight Bitting System Bundle

$89.95

3 reviews|3 answered questions
  • Made of top quality harness leather
  • Can be used with a surcingle or a western saddle
  • Self-teaching Elbow Pull
  • For use in ground work not during riding
  • Helps the horse find their own release from the bit as they move
  • Teaches self-carriage-the first step to collection
  • Package includes the bitting system (long harness leather rein and chest plate cord & 105 minute DVD).

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  • Join Julie for a 105-minute training DVD showing the complete training process for the young horse learning to respond to the bit for the very first time and remedial training for an older horse that’s evading the bit by head tossing, star-gazing, rooting and jerking on the rider.
  • You’ll learn about how bits work as great aids and why some horses learn to avoid bit pressure.
  • Find out what signs to look for to know if your horse is happy with your hands or avoiding your rein and bit pressure.
  • Whether you have a horse to train or want to help your finished horse learn to carry himself easily without your constant rein cues, this systematic training process is for you.
  • Goodnight’s easy-to-understand, step-by-step process teaches the horse to be light and responsive, giving to the rider’s hands as he carries himself in a relaxed and rounded frame.
  • The Bitting System replaces the need for side reins and helps the horse find a release as he moves—something side reins and draw reins can never produce.
  • An instructional poster, teaches you how to apply and use this great training aid.

Using The Goodnight Bitting System
The self-correcting bitting system I use is often called an elbow pull and it is a long harness leather cord with snaps on each end. To use the bitting tool, you place the middle of the cord over the horse’s poll and then run each end through the rings of the bit, between the horse’s legs and up to the saddle. Adjust it so that when the horse is standing square and relaxed, there is no pressure on the bit. The pressure will come as the horse walks or trots; his elbow will cause a pull on that side of his mouth.

It is a self-correcting tool– meaning that when the horse does the right thing (brings his nose down and in), the pressure goes away. It teaches the horse to drop his head, bring his nose in and round his back when he feels pressure on the bit. Since the horse is coming off of the bit pressure, he is required to hold himself in the frame rather than have something to lean against like with side reins. This requires the horse to bring his hind-end up underneath him and lift his back in order to hold himself in the frame while keeping slack in the reins.

I like this training tool much better than other bit-training techniques because it gives an alternating pull on the bit, not pulling on both sides of the bit at the same time, so it keeps the horse very soft and relaxed in the neck and jaw. Also, you can mimic the action of the bitting system from the saddle, by using alternating sponge squeezes in time with the horse’s front legs. Finally, I like this system because it teaches the horse to give to the slightest rein pressure and to seek out the slack in the rein.

I think is very important is to teach the horse to seek out the slack in the rein. From day one, I teach the horse that when he gives to the bit, he will find slack in the rein. Whether the horse is giving laterally (to the side) or vertically (bringing his nose into his chest) you should relax the reins as soon as the horse makes an effort. Again, this will reward the horse for his efforts (all any horse wants is less pressure on his mouth) and will teach him self-carriage.

I am not a big believer is holding a horse in a frame. I believe if you are light and responsive to your horse’s efforts, you can teach him to carry himself in whatever frame you ask of him. This may sound like a simple concept, but I have found that most riders have difficulty with the release. When a rider picks up the reins and asks the horse to give, most riders will continue to apply pressure to the reins even after the horse gives. I think this is in an effort to maintain direct contact, but it is typically done without feel. Therefore the horse gives in some small way but if he does not find a release, he does not know that he has done the right thing. The horse is searching for a way out of the pressure on his mouth. By and large, horses will gladly hold whatever frame you want if they know that in doing so, you will release the pressure on his mouth.

Again, the beauty of this system is threefold. One, the instant the horse gives the right way he gets slack. Two, the elbow-pull creates a rhythmic alternating pull, rather than a static pull on both reins (like side reins), and it is far more effective to use one rein at a time rather than two (a horse stiffens his neck and leans into it when you pull on both reins at the same time). And third, once the horse has learned to respond correctly and carry himself in a collected frame with no contact on his mouth, you can mimic this action on the reins when you are on his back.

This technique is explained thoroughly and demonstrated on my video, Bit Basics. You can also find out more about collection and many other riding skills in my Training Library, JulieGoodnight.com/Academy

Weight 14.40 oz
Bitting System contains

Bitting System, Bit Basics DVD

3 reviews for Goodnight Bitting System Bundle

4.3
Based on 3 reviews
5 star
66
66%
4 star
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3 star
33
33%
2 star
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Showing 2 of 3 reviews (5 star). See all 3 reviews
1-3 of 3 reviews
  1. Our daughter is so excited to use this!

    (0) (0)
  2. I have the bit on order. Reviewing the video and anxious to start the 25 days. I am using this time to continue the 2yr old ground work.

    (0) (0)
  3. (0) (0)
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Q & A

Can this be used with an English saddle Renae Murray asked on November 25, 2023

Hello Renae, As long as your English saddle has a d-ring or something to attach the string. Or you could use a Surcingle to attach the string. Sincerely, Diana

Diana H., Customer Service answered on November 28, 2023 store manager
(0) (0)
Do you sell the elbow pull on its own? I bought the bit basics video a while ago and live in the U.K. I can’t find anything like the simple leather cord here. Sarah asked on August 21, 2023

Hello Sarah, We could sent the bitting system to you. Go ahead and pick another DVD you would like. Make you choice in the notes. Sincerely, Diana

Diana H., Customer Service answered on August 22, 2023 store manager

My direct email is diana@juliegoodnight.com

Diana H., Customer Service answered on August 22, 2023 store manager
(0) (0)
Can this be used like a Pessoa system? Liz asked on September 20, 2021

Hello Liz,

The bitting system is different than the Pessoa system. It's a self-correcting bitting system, often called an elbow-pull, and it is a long harness leather cord with snaps on each end. To use the bitting tool, you place the middle of the cord over the horse’s poll and then run each end through the rings of the bit, between the horse’s legs and up to the saddle. Adjust it so that when the horse is standing square and relaxed, there is no pressure on the bit. The pressure will come as the horse walks or trots; his elbow will cause a pull on that side of his mouth.

It is a self-correcting tool–meaning that when the horse does the right thing (brings his nose down and in), the pressure goes away. It teaches the horse to drop his head, bring his nose in and round his back when he feels pressure on the bit. Since the horse is coming off of the bit pressure, he is required to hold himself in the frame rather than have something to lean against like with side reins. This requires the horse to bring his hind-end up underneath him and lift his back in order to hold himself in the frame while keeping slack in the reins.

Julie likes this training tool much better than other bit-training techniques because it gives an alternating pull on the bit, not pulling on both sides of the bit at the same time, so it keeps the horse very soft and relaxed in the neck and jaw. Also, you can mimic the action of the bitting system from the saddle, by using alternating sponge squeezes in time with the horse’s front legs. Finally, it teaches the horse to give to the slightest rein pressure and to seek out the slack in the rein. It does come with an informational DVD.

If you would like more information, or have more questions, feel free to give us a call or email us: http://juliegoodnight.com/contact

Sincerely,
Diana

Diana H., Customer Service answered on September 27, 2021 store manager
(0) (0)

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