Hey all,
A couple of questions about bits.
Right now Soda is in a single jointed snaffle (I'll post up some pics if needed). I've noticed that he yawns a lot when the bit is in. Usually its when we aren't doing anything in particular just walking and relaxing. I haven't noticed it when we are working or going faster than a walk, but he has been out of work for a couple months now so I may not be remembering it from before. Any ideas about what could be causing this? Also he is a very mouthy horse, like if we're holding still he is always chewing on my reins. :lol: Goofy horse. Oh and he is scheduled for a dental visit this fall.
Now I've been trying him in a Dr. Cook bitless right now and I'm not sure if I'm liking the results. It could be that he just needs more time in it or possibly its my fault (not releasing well?). He seems to brace against the pressure when I'm asking him to turn. He turns very well off of leg/seat, but is bracing his head/neck against the pressure instead of softening and bending through the turn (thats what I want.... right??) LOL, sorry if I sound like an idiot, but this is my first real training experience. Any input on this?
Long story short, I've been considering moving him to a double jointed snaffle. Possibly with a roller or something in the middle for him to play with when not working. I'm concerned that the roller might cause him to become even more mouthy though. Anyways what I'm trying to ask is what is your opinion of a double jointed snaffle? What is the difference in terms of pressure points and etc between the double and single jointed? Any input of the possibility of it increasing his mouthiness?
Lastly a question about accepting the bit and collection. I was reading an article about collection/working long and low and they were talking about teaching the horse to accept the bit and to learn to follow it down as it's released. How do you go about doing this and does it help with collecting the horse? Right now I've been trying to drive him forward into the bit with my seat, but not quite sure where to go from there. We've only been working at a walk due to his injury and for very short periods of time. I haven't hit this hard as I'm a little unsure of what I'm doing and would like to screw up as little as possible. Also, he is only allowed straight lines and very gradual turns right now due to a stifle injury a couple of months ago, so if you have exercises in mind to help please keep that in mind (if they need turns thats ok, I'll just keep it in mind for later).
Thanks and sorry for the book!!!
A couple of questions about bits.
Right now Soda is in a single jointed snaffle (I'll post up some pics if needed). I've noticed that he yawns a lot when the bit is in. Usually its when we aren't doing anything in particular just walking and relaxing. I haven't noticed it when we are working or going faster than a walk, but he has been out of work for a couple months now so I may not be remembering it from before. Any ideas about what could be causing this? Also he is a very mouthy horse, like if we're holding still he is always chewing on my reins. :lol: Goofy horse. Oh and he is scheduled for a dental visit this fall.
Now I've been trying him in a Dr. Cook bitless right now and I'm not sure if I'm liking the results. It could be that he just needs more time in it or possibly its my fault (not releasing well?). He seems to brace against the pressure when I'm asking him to turn. He turns very well off of leg/seat, but is bracing his head/neck against the pressure instead of softening and bending through the turn (thats what I want.... right??) LOL, sorry if I sound like an idiot, but this is my first real training experience. Any input on this?
Long story short, I've been considering moving him to a double jointed snaffle. Possibly with a roller or something in the middle for him to play with when not working. I'm concerned that the roller might cause him to become even more mouthy though. Anyways what I'm trying to ask is what is your opinion of a double jointed snaffle? What is the difference in terms of pressure points and etc between the double and single jointed? Any input of the possibility of it increasing his mouthiness?
Lastly a question about accepting the bit and collection. I was reading an article about collection/working long and low and they were talking about teaching the horse to accept the bit and to learn to follow it down as it's released. How do you go about doing this and does it help with collecting the horse? Right now I've been trying to drive him forward into the bit with my seat, but not quite sure where to go from there. We've only been working at a walk due to his injury and for very short periods of time. I haven't hit this hard as I'm a little unsure of what I'm doing and would like to screw up as little as possible. Also, he is only allowed straight lines and very gradual turns right now due to a stifle injury a couple of months ago, so if you have exercises in mind to help please keep that in mind (if they need turns thats ok, I'll just keep it in mind for later).
Thanks and sorry for the book!!!