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Lightbulb Moment Today

868 views 5 replies 3 participants last post by  my2geldings 
#1 ·
Hey all! Well, I've had my gelding Helios for almost 5 weeks. And today, he finally had the lightbulb moment I've been waiting for and he's begun to stretch at the trot!!!! This took not one, not five, but almost FIFTEEN sessions with the chambon. Development is gradual and a test of patience. If any of you are currently struggling or getting discouraged with what you're working on, just remember...be patient. Don't get frustrated. It will come. He's shown so much improvement already, but obviously we have much farther to go. This is his very first session where he displayed any stretch at the trot at all (and it wasn't even the best stretch he's capable of, AND we still need to lighten up on the forehand more). But I'm so, so proud of him! Baby steps.

Before any groundwork:
Mammal Horse Foal Mare Colt


Second day with the chambon (and what sessions 3-12 basically looked like):
Horse Mammal Pasture Mare Property


And this evening!
Horse Mammal Bridle Rein Horse supplies

Horse Mammal Vertebrate Mane Sorrel


Thanks for looking! :D
 
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#5 ·
A chambon is leather (not elastic and no rubber donuts usually), and it runs from the girth, over the poll, and clips to the bit. When the horse raises its head above a certain point, it feels pressure on the bit and even higher, there will be poll and bit pressure. It's great for encouraging long and low because there's nothing pulling the horse's nose back to its chest as we see in many over tightened training aids. The horse learns to move correctly and to enjoy it! It's really handy for building a topline and teaching a horse to carry itself correctly without it learning to hollow its back and tuck its nose to get away from the pressure (bad bad bad!). The release is DOWN which is what we want in a young or unconditioned horse. :)

I'll post a video soon, once he's more consistent with it. Or in the meantime, here's the video that encouraged me to try it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgvd84mIyC8&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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