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Post by judi on Aug 7, 2005 15:48:55 GMT 1
I rode my stallion last night for the first time. Ok, so it was only walking and trotting bareback in the field, but I do want to get him going over winter.
He is an SE arab, and has a naturally very high head carriage - I know he was ridden in the past in a standing martingale, but I would like to ride without one if possible (don't mind using a runing one though). Any advice to get him more into self carriage and avoid a broken nose from his poll?!
He also seems to not have any brakes, so bit recommendations would also come in handy! I just used a headcollar and lead rope last night (not sure what came over me actually - just had a sudden urge to ride him - it might pass) and other than that he has a showing/covering straight bar bit so that is a no no (or he will get 5 legs and just want a woman)! LOL.
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Post by sarak on Aug 7, 2005 22:16:42 GMT 1
Hi Judi
I have a TB who can have a VERY high head carriage when being particularly daft. Out hacking I tend to use a running martingale to avoid being bopped on the nose.
I have found that lots of schooling helps with head carriage - Jo will drop his head nicely at any time when ridden correctly ... apart from when he is anxious or excited about something and then he just never listens!
Not a bit expert, but I have tried lots of different ones with Jo and the one that suits him best is a french link snaffle. If you have ridden in a headcollar and rope and bareback (very brave!) then why not try a hackamore?
Have fun, and let us know how you get on.
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heidi
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 3,490
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Post by heidi on Aug 7, 2005 23:30:30 GMT 1
I was told to use a loose ring french link on my girl, as it has extra moveability! She doesn't have a brake problem though, but her head carriage was very high. It still is in canter, but now her legs have more of an idea of what they are up to in canter, hopefully the rest will follow!
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Post by gem on Aug 8, 2005 8:01:14 GMT 1
Another one for the losse ring french snaffle, I rode my pregnant Sky for the first time since in foal this weekend (couldnt help myself) and she had her head right in the air, nothing I was going to do was bringing it down, I changed to the loose ring french link, okay carriage was still high but miles better
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Post by Yann on Aug 8, 2005 8:36:02 GMT 1
If you're going to a loose ring french link and your budget allows I'd definitely recommend trying a KK ultra, they do appear to be a very comfortable bit and one that encourages softening and relaxation.
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sjade
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 1,012
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Post by sjade on Aug 8, 2005 16:49:15 GMT 1
Hackamore and sit well back LOL!  Joking aside, Rashid is very similar sounding, goes along with his head up and back hollowed unless I really ask him to come round, and has a huge underside to his neck which makes that hard for him to do. He goes best in the hackamore but otherwise he likes a loose ring french-link as he plays with it a bit.  |
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Post by Yann on Aug 8, 2005 22:04:17 GMT 1
There's always the pelham too of course... used correctly and sympathetically Heather Moffett style it works a treat with some horses, as it makes it more obvious what you're asking for and easier to achieve.
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mandm
Novice Poster
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Post by mandm on Aug 8, 2005 23:01:11 GMT 1
Please forgive me for being thick but I interpreted your post as you were riding this Arab in a head collar and lead rope. If this really is the case then of course you won't have any outline or brakes.
I believe it's always best to start off in a snaffle and work your way along. Good schooling will encourage an outline. Before any of that I would get his back and teeth checked. If he has served mares he may well have a few pulled muscles and if his teeth need doing he will never achieve self carriage. Good luck!
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Post by fin on Aug 8, 2005 23:57:56 GMT 1
Or you could try a Dr Cooks bitless or similar? That way he'll have brakes but no bit, which won't get his hopes up too much, bless him!
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Post by judi on Aug 9, 2005 8:43:09 GMT 1
Thanks for the replies.
He's 16 and has been ridden all his life (and raced), and has always had a running martingale on - I am not a gadget fan, but may resort to it if all else fails.
Sarah
'apart from anxious or excited'
Yup, that's all the time with him!
I sounded braver than I actually was, it's not a huge open field, just a quarter acre stallion paddock so not like he could tank off if things had gone wrong (plus he's only 14.3, so not a huge drop) LOL!
I do have a french link somewhere, umm......
SJade - glad to see you on here! Just replied to your email. See you at the show on Sunday - hope the weather is nice.
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Post by nikki on Aug 9, 2005 10:07:46 GMT 1
Zephie used to do this. She came to me with an awful lot of dental problems. Once these had been sorted out, I needed to convince her that it wasn't going to hurt if she'd lower her head and relax. She is ridden in a french link but also goes well in a hollow mouth snaffle which is lovely and light. When warming her up for a schooling session I hold my hands slightly wider and lower down than normal and give gentle vibrations on the reins which encourages her to lower her head and stretch out (also lowers the adrenaline!). She responds really well to this and stretches down nicely. We finish sessions like this too and it means that she is much softer, more relaxed and nicer to ride!
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