Equitating the Morgan Horse with Alicia Owens

[@morganhorsediaries3316]

Alicia is absolutely one of the best!

[@ocroute13]

I'm guessing "equitate" means training a horse to do equitation patterns? All the things mentioned, figure 8s, serpentines, turn on the forehand or haunches should be taught to make a horse more rideable. What is the difference between a training bridle and a show bridle?

[@morganhorsediaries3316]

Most saddleseat horses are ridden in a snaffle with two reins for workouts, one through a running martingale. Per AMHA rules, Saddleseat Morgans are shown in a Weymouth full bridle - A Weymouth curb bit and a Bridoon snaffle bit. Hence, show bridle.

[@Taylorstanek716]

Sometimes the show bridle is referred to as a double bridle. Two reins and two bits, the snaffle and the curb. The work bridle is usually just a snaffle with two reins.

[@wisepati123]

This seems to be very excessive for a horse so young. Horses need their backs and hindquarters built up before pulling their heads in like that. 'Equitating'? Is that even a word. Sorry, but I think a lot of this borders on abuse. Why the long shanks? You can see how unhappy and nervous the horses are.

[@EverHillsRanch]

this is not abuse lmao

[@erinrobinson8199]

Patience Miller get educated on the seat before you assume that everything you don’t know is abuse. The horse is fully grown. The long shanks is just part of the bridle that allows them to have the right head set as comfortably as possible. You need a good bit for horses like this cause they can be hot. The “unhappy look” is the horse thinking because it’s trying to figure out what she’s asking for. Even fully equitation horses can get frustrated from being corrected. Doesn’t mean they’re being abused. This is natural for this breed and equitating is not a bad thing.

[@annaosterried3821]

I agree, horses arent fully grown until they are 7 years old. It isnt natuarl for any breed to move like that and its very unhealthy for the horse. This is abuse. The head should be a lot lower, the shoulders should be free to move and the weight for that to happen needs to be on the hindquaters. This horse is stressed and nervous and is definetly not having fun. So yeah, I agree.

[@annaosterried3821]

@@EverHillsRanch horses arent fully grown until they are 7 years old. It isnt natuarl for any breed to move like that and its very unhealthy for the horse. This is abuse. The head should be a lot lower, the shoulders should be free to move and the weight for that to happen needs to be on the hindquaters. This horse is stressed and nervous and is definetly not having fun.

[@annaosterried3821]

@@erinrobinson8199 horses arent fully grown until they are 7 years old. It isnt natuarl for any breed to move like that and its very unhealthy for the horse. This is abuse. The head should be a lot lower, the shoulders should be free to move and the weight for that to happen needs to be on the hindquaters. This horse is stressed and nervous and is definetly not having fun.

[@nicholascamp5974]

You need to keep your legs under your body sitting in the deepest part of the saddle with your heels down! Basic equitation 101.

[@EverHillsRanch]

saddle seat equitation is slightly different. besides, this is a trainer. i think she has more experience than you lol

[@MsShoshi99]

Saddle seat is 'behind the feet' unlike hunt and dressage seat. Looks strange if you haven't seen it before, but this is how they do it. They are also more curved in the back with very formal posture and high hands. It's another flavor :)

[@EverHillsRanch]

Sarah D exactly. There’s a reason saddle seat equitation was called “classic” equation

[@Taylorstanek716]

Her equitation isn’t perfect, but saddleseat equitation is different than dressage or hunt seat.