Interested in Roman Riding?

[Vindex]

I am sorry Vindex, I am not giving you the time you deserve. I answered in haste, but I hope I answered at least half your questions.

My experience of a bitless German hackamore comes from a young horse at the yard bought in the Doncaster sales a few years ago. He was a hunting cob, but his mouth was very sensitive from we suspected rough treatment. He was a little large for a Roman horse, but very stocky, so overall he looked "Roman". I rode him a couple of times in a German hackamore and he was very good. I felt he could do a show easily. He was put down as a possible, and kind of "left"on the bench". He was used for medieval and gunpowder shows and went back to a snaffle. He became fat and lazy, and he still is. A substitute horse to be used if we really have to. Hence my comment about young horses and sensitive mouths.

But Roman's are not generally associated with bitless hackamores, since we have all those nice copper alloy versions in the archaeological record. The idea of an American Indian riding with a bitless hackamore made of dried grass is fine. The idea of a Roman rider doing the same thing is not generally associated with the Roman period.

Thank you.