McVillesMom
Aug. 27, 2009, 07:23 PM
Went to the barn today with intentions of having a gallop outside, but decided to stay in the indoor due to the heat. My horse is a 17 year old TB, used to be an eventer but that is mentally challenging for him, now doing dressage and a little show jumping. When I got this horse 11 years ago he couldn't even canter. In the past 2 years or so we have had a breakthrough in our dressage work, and now he is solid at First, schooling Second.
I've ridden him for YEARS in a figure 8, because he likes to cross his jaw. Decided today that since he is going so well I would dust off the ol' crank and see how that worked for us now. I thought I would make it a real test by leaving off the flash - I've pretty much never ridden him in a plain caveson, EVER. The few times I have tried in the past have not been pretty.
Well, today he was EXACTLY the same as he is in the figure 8. No rooting, gaping or other unpleasant behavior. I probably could have switched a while ago, but I didn't really think about it because I'd gotten comfortable with what we had been using for so long. (I told my husband we were getting ready for the double - he just laughed at me :D At least he didn't ask how much they cost!)
This was a reminder to me to THINK about what I am using on my horse, and why I am using it. It never hurts to go down a step and see how your horse responds - you may be pleasantly surprised!
I've ridden him for YEARS in a figure 8, because he likes to cross his jaw. Decided today that since he is going so well I would dust off the ol' crank and see how that worked for us now. I thought I would make it a real test by leaving off the flash - I've pretty much never ridden him in a plain caveson, EVER. The few times I have tried in the past have not been pretty.
Well, today he was EXACTLY the same as he is in the figure 8. No rooting, gaping or other unpleasant behavior. I probably could have switched a while ago, but I didn't really think about it because I'd gotten comfortable with what we had been using for so long. (I told my husband we were getting ready for the double - he just laughed at me :D At least he didn't ask how much they cost!)
This was a reminder to me to THINK about what I am using on my horse, and why I am using it. It never hurts to go down a step and see how your horse responds - you may be pleasantly surprised!