Dan Dauphin Talks About Bits and Horses
Dan Dauphin knows the mechanics and physics of bits. Honestly, I put a snaffle in my horse’s mouth and don’t think much more about it. What goes on in there is a giant mystery to me. Oh, I know that when I pull on the right rein; the horse goes right. But, I can’t really see what’s going on down there and can only imagine what’s happening in that giant cavern in his head. Dan Dauphin studied the build and mechanics of not only the horses’ mouth, but the bits and how the two interact. The bit is a communication device. Used with your seat and leg aids, it’s how you talk to your horse.
Dan breaks everything down in a video session titled “More than a Bit of Information”. (https://www.dauphinhorsemanship.com/mercantile/) Dan spent 6 months researching the information in this video. He talked to equine dentists, veterinarians, and other specialists learning the variety of ways bits exert pressure to send signals.
Building a Better Horse
The more time I spend around horses, the more I want to become a better rider for my horse. This takes effort. Sometimes it means researching videos and trainers to find an answer. Sometimes it requires setting long-held beliefs aside and be open to new ideas. It’s difficult and embarrassing to analyze your riding looking for ways to improve. When something goes wrong, many riders are too quick to blame the horse. I encourage you to take advantage of knowledgeable trainers like Dan. Look at the information he provides and decide what is right for you and your horse.
Links to Dan Dauphin Horsemanship
DVD / Download Bit Video Series
Dauphin Horsemanship on Facebook
Bits, Spurs, and Good Sense Facebook Group
Dauphin Horsemanship YouTube Channel
Join Us on this Journey
We want you to be a part of the show. Tell us about your horse. Share your challenges, triumphs, or just everyday items that make horse ownership unique. Create an audio file using the memo app on your phone. Or contact me and we’ll set up a time to talk by Skype or phone. Perhaps what you have to share can help someone in THEIR horse journey.
You are an enormous part of why we do a podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com
Thanks for listening,
John & Ranae
Episode #181
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Early in my horsemanship journey, I volunteered at Equine Affaire in Pomona. So it must have been around 2006 or 2007, while moving from one exhibit to another, that I saw this man giving a demonstration about massaging a horse. Well, at least that’s what it looked like to me. Over the course of the weekend, and the years I continued to volunteer; I saw Jim Masterson a couple of times. My duties as a volunteer always moved me around, so I never got to see Jim’s entire presentation from start to finish. The way he place his hands on the horse appealed to me. Being a tactile person, I love to put my hands all over my horses.
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Tiffany McLaury’s name might sound familiar. She is the daughter of Buster and Sheryl McLaury. 