Well Ben and I have been doing well but I have a question or two. First is a snaffle always the way to go? I don't know what he was ridden in before I got him. My father in law rode him in a tom thumb once or twice but that was it and then he became mine, before that no clue. He responds to the french link and a loose ring the same. He eventually stops (from trot back down to walk) but I have to really DEMAND his response. From a walk to complete stop he does well and he backs really well. I have to have contact about 90 percent of the time while walking. I ride western and its really hard for me not ride loose rein and not feel badly about it. He neck reins wonderfully responds to some leg and seat, I am not sure how to train those cues. Should I use a mild curb or continue with my snaffle(and be patient) until he is on a loose rein? I absolutely won't ride with contant on the bit( I know better ) with any curb/shanked bit but I feel like if he has something else maybe I won't have to constantly have contact. I try to trot, I probably shouldn't since he can't walk without me on him to hold the pace but we both get bored. I am trying the ask,tell,demand method and he seems perfectly content with demand. We do ground work and he is very light in my hand at walk,trot,canter, what am I doing wrong in the saddle? Sorry this is so long but I have been wanting to ask these things and it just comes spilling out. Thanks for any advice.
3Likes
I went in with a more patient attitude which probably helped but he just seemed to get what I was trying to teach him and I am thrilled. Not once did he try to go any faster than I told him to and I kept my reins loose the whole time. Even when a horse ran at him to the fence, he just flicked an ear and kept his nice walk. It was like " Oh this is how nice and calm works" and he and I both were relaxed. Thanks for the tips however, I stored them in my training file. I got him an underpad as well for his saddle and he seems to be much more comfortable. 
