Traditions in Horsemanship

Online I found traditions defined as the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation or the fact of being passed on in this way. It seems fitting to confess a few of the traditions inherited from my riding instructors mentors and friends as I learned about horses and riding. Here are a few of the traditions that were drilled into my head by wellmeaning instructors and mentors 
Horses should be led and mounted from the left this came from way back when mounted soldiers carried their sword over their left leg

Tack should be cleaned after every ride I really wish this tradition had stuck but alas it did not
Horses must be ridden with a bit and a saddle apparently that one didnt stick either! and
Doing anything much with horses other than riding is not the point.
Each one of us can look at our previous or present way of interacting with horses and think of at least a few things we do that we learned from someone we looked up to. When asked why we do these things or hold these beliefs we say its because weve always done it this way or because our trainer told us to.
Related Get it Done Horsemanship
I propose that our traditions which are an important part of the human experience and play a valuable role in passing down knowledge and wisdom receive a healthy dose of skepticism. I wanted to write on this topic for a few reasons but mainly to highlight the potential use of a traditional way of doing something as an excuse to do harm. An example would be using a particular bit because my trainer or family or method of riding has always used this bit even though it doesnt fit my horse my horse shows discomfort when wearing it and there is scientific evidence that this style of bit is harmful and outdated. My continued use of this piece of tack is obviously harmful and yet my need to stick with tradition justifies its continued use.
I spend an annoying amount of time questioning my motives and more often than not find that it is habit and not a conscious awareness that drives my behaviour. I know Im not the only one. Its part of what makes traditions so important as we follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before without having to constantly reinvent the wheel