Chikara

19/05/2026

Bits.
Do I like them? Yes. The dressage approved ones. Very few others.
Why?
Because when used correctly, a bit offers clear, honest and safe communication between horse and rider.

So what does “used correctly” mean?
Certainly nothing like the scenario in my previous post. In that case the horse was the one rudely abusing the rider’s hand (and often hurting the rider's neck) through the bit.

A skilled rider creates poise and elegance in a horse, without using the bit to force the neck and "frame" the horse. Subtle leg, seat, and weight aids shift the horse’s balance, lift the sternum, and allow the back to arch softly. The balance moves toward the hindquarters, lightening the forehand. The neck’s beautiful curve is simply the extension of a body that is coiling correctly.

This produces rhythm, elasticity, and suppleness. It feels and looks quite different to a "held" horse with a tight back, moving only from the limbs. It strengthens the horse, keeps it sound, and acts as physiotherapy for the entire body. It soothes and focuses the mind too!

So what is the bit’s job?
The bit gives the horse a place of confidence - a place to go. Each stride lifts over the back toward a soft, consistent balance on the bit. The bit is mobile in the mouth and the balance on it is dynamic yet steady.

This skill takes years to develop. Many misunderstand it completely. They assume the bit restricts the jaw, tongue, lips, neck, and the chain of nerves through the body. All true if used incorrectly.

A good rider takes a comfortable, comforting contact and then builds, step by step, the poise, rhythm, and dance. As the body organizes itself into elastic, supple movement toward the bit the mouth, tongue, jaw, and neck relax and become supple and pliable. The bit becomes the horse’s reliable, safe place. Endorphins flow. The mind becomes focused.

Dance partners!
It would be a pity to lose this art.

17/05/2026

Today we zoomed back in time to about 2007. This lovely lady came to have a ride with us again after all these years. I took a few photos for her while she was sitting on Red, all peaceful and quiet in the sun. It was a very beautiful day today. When l looked at the pics l realised that Red had given me some perfect shots to use on a post l promised to write some weeks ago.

BITS!!!!

Terrible instruments of torture? Cruel people use them? Abuse to horses?

Well, if you choose to beat your husband with a hot frying pan, then frying pans are cruel, abusive and instruments of torture too. (Except of course if your husband enjoys it?)

Take a look at the pics which l took in sequence. The rider just sat waiting. Red chose to flex his neck. Red chose to sn**ch at the bit. Red chose to pull hard to try and reach for some grass.

Red chose..... ! So..... ??

Books love to sprout garbage about how the horse got the bit between its teeth and bolted. Books love to warn about the sensitive bars of the mouth.

Can you imagine that a round slippery metal or other hard bitting substance could be gripped between teeth? It is impossible. Furthermore one would need to cut the corners of the mouth in order to get the bit high enough to reach between the molars. This is why a noseband is actually meant to protect a horse. The bit is very unlikely, and never should be able to reach between the molars.

Then, those sensitive bars? Well, what exactly is "sensitive"? How sensitive? Like the gums in our mouths? Or like our soft ladies fingers? Or like the skin on our inner arms? Nope. Not at all.

Have you ever chewed a handful of hard horse cubes? Worse, try a handful of hard, dry spikey hay. Or spend 10min plucking soft green grass. Chew through that. Just filling a hay net with hay leaves splinters in your hand. Horse mouths are not like ours. They chew wooden fence poles. I saw one chewing happily on one of my jump poles last week. And he chewed and swallowed the shards he had bitten off too.

I have started many young horses. I have been the 1st person to introduce them to a bit. They all mouth at first as it is foreign. Offer a bit of food and they promptly eat, and spill some as it is new trying to move food around the bit. Then take a walk past a nice grassy patch. They all dive at the grass and yank at the lead. Hard. They show zero pain. They will yank again at the next nice patch of grass. They yank hard enough to jerk you half off your feet. That happens with a youngster on the first bitting. That is a soft mouth, never had a bit before. They yank. Often.

Red yanks. Really hard. Often. Especially with riders who are new and are riding with a long soft rein. He knows they will let go if he yanks. Then he can do what he wants, like eat grass. If the bars of the mouth are SO sensitive l think they would behave differently. Just tap a horse gently with the floppy end of a lead rein and they react. If they choose to yank people around with the bit then l think people need ro rethink about how sensitive the mouth really is.

Next post l will discuss how delicately a bit can, and should, be used, and why l understand a bit to be a comfort, a reassurance, and almost a safety blanket for the horse.

The bit is not to control the horse, but for the riders hand to read the horse's mind. Communication. Hear your horse.

22/04/2026

We help riders overcome fear, build confidence, and optimize their performance, while ensuring that their horses receive holistic care and remain happy and healthy.
ACCELERIDE with Chikara Stables
063 692 1357

15/04/2026

The show does not start at the warm-up arena.
It starts well before that… in your mind.
ACCELERIDE incorporates cognitive coaching, along with biomechanic training for riders and horses, giving both the mental and physical tools to stay focused, manage pressure, and perform automatically at their best.

Every time you step into the arena, your partnership should grow.
✨ Train your mind.
✨ Shift your posture.
✨ Transform each ride.

Check out the link in the comments and leave me a message there if you can relate or want help figuring this out.

29/03/2026

We’re giving Acceleride its own dedicated space… and this is all about making things better and easier for you.

While Acceleride is still very much part of the Chikara family, it’s grown into something so powerful and specialised that it deserves its own platform — designed to give you a smoother, faster, and more focused experience.

✨ What this means for you:
• Easier access to everything Acceleride
• Faster booking and enquiries
• A more streamlined, user-friendly experience
• Dedicated content, updates, and support

You can still find all the full details on our main website:
www.chikara.co.za

But for quick access and to book your sessions instantly, head over to: acceleride.chikara.co.za

This move is all about serving you better, making your journey simpler, and giving Acceleride the space to truly deliver at the next level.

If you like and follow Chikara please also do so for Acceleride

Page Link below:

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Train the Body. Train the Mind. Train the Ride.

Acceleride aligns all three aspects

15/03/2026

First lesson on how to ride a horse onto the bit, or over the back, or into the bridle. All the same thing but with different focus. All about quiet comforting hands, step by step activation of the horse's core (abdominal muscles primarily) and engagement of the hindquarters (like a pelvic tilt for the horse, or tucking his tail and pelvis under and in) and becoming light in the contact and quick with his hindlegs. In his very senior years, Super Red still offers riders a wonderful introduction to the skills of riding.

20/11/2025

DO YOU LOVE HORSES?
We all know that horses have an inexplicable way of healing hearts and minds.

Did you ever decide to start riding lessons? Maybe you progressed to the stage of leasing a horse? Perhaps you bought a horse? You now have all the right tack and pay for all the best veterinary care and therapy you can afford for your horse. But...

YOU ARE FRUSTRATED AND EXASPERATED!!
Do you know horses can damage hearts and minds too?
Or rather, the lack of the real assistance YOU need, with YOUR HORSE can leave you feeling damaged, useless, unfulfilled and diminished. Hopeless...

Do you watch other riders and wonder how it is that you are still stuck while they glide into the competition arena and slip up the grades?

WE BELIEVE YOU CAN DO THAT TOO!
At Chikara Stables we understsnd the root causes of stagnation and lack of progress. We don't just ride and give riding lessons. We transform the relationship between you and your horse. You become partners.

All aspects of each horse and rider combination is taken into consideration, and a program is constructed to merge the building of body, mind, and technical skills. We enhance and develop all strengths. No stone is left unturned, no rider is left behind, no horse is overlooked. We find happy solutions for all.

So dare... !!!
Reach for your dream - it can be grasped.
Whatsapp or call 063 692 1357

15/11/2025