[QUOTE=cute_lil_fancy_pants_pony;4560347]
All I can say, is that if a horse can be on the bit in side reins, he can be on the bit with a rider, not a huge difference, unless you weigh 200+ lbs![/QUOTE]
I would disagree with that. “On the bit” and “in the frame” is a different concept. Some even FEI trainers can not make a difference between those 2, but it’s quite big and serious difference in the basics.
Horse is in the frame when they are in the side reins. Horse has a contact with the side reins and can learn how to accept some pressure of the side reins. But there is no communications with the rider’s hands. There is no connection. You will need connection thru the bit at 1st/2nd level and side reins will not give that to you. Just like draw reins, side reins can only take you thus far.
Honest connection thru the bit to rider’s hands that gets you communication with your horse can not be trained thru side reins and draw reins.
