The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread 11

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Question for you guys.

I was reading a thread over on the horse forum. The question was slowing a WP horses lope down. Someone answered, “collect with the reins, and drive with your legs”. Ok, I’ve heard this before, and I believe English/dressage riders do it more. Doesn’t this mean to keep contact on the horses mouth?? It should be done with a snaffle? doing this with a bit with a curb chain would engage the chain???

My question. When does the horse get relief? Do you release when the horse is doing right?

In my experience, and it may be because I have a curb chain, keeping contact, even seesaw contact, tends to always piss the horse off after a while. I’ve always wondered about this type of advise for English or Western. Am I misunderstanding something.

Becky

[CindyDawg]

Good for you. I knew you could do it:’)

[Beaker]

He's 10, and schooling at 3rd level, which is pretty high up there, so all of this is a heck of a lot newer for me. He really loves his job, but he's just a really big wuss when it comes to going places. But if he has a friend, it's all good. He behaved very well, I'm so thrilled. :-) It's a really big deal to be able to ride him, only one other person has ever ridden him besides my trainer, and it was a super duper big deal to be able to ride him in the clinic. I was really afraid that I was going to screw it all up for myself.

[HairOfTheDog]

Yes, it should probably be started in a snaffle. In a western curb, you still collect with the reins, but you teach a lighter contact, the horse should stay just inside what you’ve asked. It’s ‘controlled slack’.

[HairOfTheDog]

Terrific.... that’s a much better report, even if there aren’t pictures! :~0

Sounds like you had a great ride.

[Matchett-PI]

Not to change the subject, but are you planning on starting a live thread for the Belmont Stakes, or has someone else already started one? I’ve looked - but havn’t seen one yet.

[HairOfTheDog]

Oh - yikes! I forgot all about it!

I’m kindof distracted now... When is it on?. You want to start it?

[Matchett-PI]

Post time is around 6:15 or so. I’m in the middle of something myself and don’t have time at the moment to start the thread. Is there someone else you know who can do it?

[HairOfTheDog]

Oh dear - you mean in like 30 minutes?

[Matchett-PI]

30 to 45 minutes. It would take me too long to try and figure out the graphics, etc., and I’m already running way late in getting ready to go out.

[MissTargets]

Thank you so much to mentioning the Belmont. I had completely forgot about the race. What a race it was!

Congrats to Rags to Riches, the filly wins!

[Beaker]

I forgot to tell you guys, they have some excellent nicknames for Levi around the barn:

1) Levisaurus.
2) Mount Levi
3) Leviathan

[Matchett-PI]

You’re welcome! It was a great race, for sure.

[Duchess47]

He surely is taking care of you. It sounds like you had a good day but I can understand the fatigue. Nerves and stress on top of the clinic itself. :)

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Those are great:), especially Leviathan.

Becky

[Duchess47]

Becky, the curb bit is used on finished WP horses, they are trained in snaffles so it's possible to rate them just like you would an English horse.

We went to a show today - Kelly's daughters were riding and she hauled Tuffy to ride around and to work him with other horses. He behaved like a 20yr old gelding :) Did fine with the other horses coming up behind and/or passing him, etc.

Oh, she put a fake tail on him to see what he'd do - he didn't care (I still don't like fake tails)

A friend of ours is the President of the Pony Express here in Nevada. He's been working for years to get something up to mark the trail and recognize the Pony Express Riders. It's finally up and horse and rider decided to not wait for the unveiling - they've thrown off the tarp coving them :)

[HairOfTheDog]

Tuffy is growing up so pretty, he’s really a nice animal... flashy, well built, I look forward to seeing him go far for you... With or without the fake tail. ;~)

Oh my... that pony express rider holding that tarp galloping like that, it’s going to spook his pony ;~)

[AnAmericanMother]

Nice pics! The Pony Express statue looks like it's going to be very handsome.

What's up in that first pic? Do WP horses canter that low in front? The rider's leaning WAY back!

[HairOfTheDog]

She looks like she’s trying to slow him down... that would explain the overbend and the leaning back.

[AnAmericanMother]

Ah! I never have that problem with Gracie . . . usually trying to speed her up . . . spurs and a 3’ dressage whip . . . .