Inconsistency in the bridle

JBandRio · 10-22-2009, 09:36 AM

Absolutely there can be damage caused by long enough use of incorrectly used DRs. This doesn't stop at the spine - the nuchal ligament can be damaged as well.

Sometimes these horses DO need to be ridden on a draped rein for a bit so they are working on just one thing - stretching while they go forward. If the horse is so afraid of the contact, or has it so ingrained that contact means curling, then you can't necessarily work on both things at once - contact and stretching.

Once the horse can go forward in a longer, lower frame, then you have some position to aim for, a position with which the horse is familiar, once you start to take light contact.

Horsed · 10-22-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBandRio

Absolutely there can be damage caused by long enough use of incorrectly used DRs. This doesn't stop at the spine - the nuchal ligament can be damaged as well.

Sometimes these horses DO need to be ridden on a draped rein for a bit so they are working on just one thing - stretching while they go forward. If the horse is so afraid of the contact, or has it so ingrained that contact means curling, then you can't necessarily work on both things at once - contact and stretching.

Once the horse can go forward in a longer, lower frame, then you have some position to aim for, a position with which the horse is familiar, once you start to take light contact.

She isn't necesarily afraid of the contact. Like I said earlier, she doesn't go btv all the time now. She only curls up for a stride, then sticks her nose in the air, back and forth. But lately she has been doing a bit better and will stay in a correct position for longer (as in not curled and not looking at the stars) with light to medium contact. But its still not as consistent as it should be, which is why I am here.

Should I be doing anything differently? Should I keep only using a bridle with a dee ring snaffle? Or should I use some sort of martingale?

red00jeep · 10-23-2009, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horsed

She isn't necesarily afraid of the contact. Like I said earlier, she doesn't go btv all the time now. She only curls up for a stride, then sticks her nose in the air, back and forth. But lately she has been doing a bit better and will stay in a correct position for longer (as in not curled and not looking at the stars) with light to medium contact. But its still not as consistent as it should be, which is why I am here.

Should I be doing anything differently? Should I keep only using a bridle with a dee ring snaffle? Or should I use some sort of martingale?

LEGGGGG!!!

A snaffle is fine.

spinandslide · 10-23-2009, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red00jeep

LEGGGGG!!!

A snaffle is fine.

Agree..leg and leg and MORE leg..

When folks use draw reins incorrectly, they usually use LOTS of rein, with no driving force..a friend of mine puts it well..for every inch of contact you take up, you need to add more leg..its got to balance out..your mare has learned to "suck back" away from the bridle...

Keep riding her FORWARD into light, but steady contact..she will get it..she gets behind the vertical, more leg..she sticks her nose out, keep the contact steady and more leg.

Horsed · 10-23-2009, 03:57 PM

She is quite dull sided though and I don't want to use spurs on her anymore because I felt like I/she was becoming dependant on them. But I will remember to always push her forward even though she doesn't GO most of the time.

And if she pokes her nose out, do I just let her for now?

red00jeep · 10-23-2009, 04:14 PM

Yeah, that's fine, she can poke her nose out allll she wants, as long as she is coming forward from behind. Once she starts to do that and relax, her head will drop and she will begin to stretch her neck.

Horsed · 10-23-2009, 04:22 PM

Okay thanks!

JBandRio · 10-23-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horsed

She is quite dull sided though and I don't want to use spurs on her anymore because I felt like I/she was becoming dependant on them. But I will remember to always push her forward even though she doesn't GO most of the time.

Dressage whip

Quote:

And if she pokes her nose out, do I just let her for now?

Yep!

LindaMM · 10-23-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horsed

She is quite dull sided though and I don't want to use spurs on her anymore because I felt like I/she was becoming dependant on them. But I will remember to always push her forward even though she doesn't GO most of the time.

And if she pokes her nose out, do I just let her for now?

Used correctly, spurs are the remedy for a horse that is slow to respond to the leg. If you find yourself going to the spur first, then a dressage whip is in order, as you will do your normal leg aid, and apply the whip if there is no response. But really, starting with the calf-squeeze and application of the spur if there is less response than you want should do the trick.

John · 10-23-2009, 07:10 PM

Check the roof of her mouth. Some horses (arabs) are quite flat and a plain old snaffle digs in and can cause a blister.

10-22-2009, 09:36 AM	#21
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 32,003 Images: 196 Blog Entries: 12	Absolutely there can be damage caused by long enough use of incorrectly used DRs. This doesn't stop at the spine - the nuchal ligament can be damaged as well. Sometimes these horses DO need to be ridden on a draped rein for a bit so they are working on just one thing - stretching while they go forward. If the horse is so afraid of the contact, or has it so ingrained that contact means curling, then you can't necessarily work on both things at once - contact and stretching. Once the horse can go forward in a longer, lower frame, then you have some position to aim for, a position with which the horse is familiar, once you start to take light contact. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173)

10-23-2009, 04:14 PM	#26
red00jeep Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Deep in the heart of Texass Posts: 401 Images: 2	Yeah, that's fine, she can poke her nose out allll she wants, as long as she is coming forward from behind. Once she starts to do that and relax, her head will drop and she will begin to stretch her neck. __________________ RUN LIKE A GIRL! Rachel Alexandra '09

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
WTB: Black large horse or WB size bridle & light blue nylon trail bridle...	equestsarah81	Equine Classifieds	5	09-20-2009 08:55 AM
WTB: Good quality bridle with double reins and Figure eight bridle.	Socks	Equine Classifieds	5	06-15-2009 07:36 PM
Trade Black/White h/j bridle for Brown bridle??	cutenikita	Equine Classifieds	0	04-07-2009 05:09 PM
STUBBEN brown padded/ Raised fancy stitched bridle, Bridle bag, saddle bag,hunt coats	IHF	Equine Classifieds	22	03-05-2009 12:28 PM
Bridle and Bits suggestions? ** opinion on bridle i found*	Miss Neigh	Tack & Equipment	12	07-10-2008 07:35 PM

10-23-2009, 03:57 PM	#25
Horsed Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 829 Images: 9	She is quite dull sided though and I don't want to use spurs on her anymore because I felt like I/she was becoming dependant on them. But I will remember to always push her forward even though she doesn't GO most of the time. And if she pokes her nose out, do I just let her for now?

10-23-2009, 04:22 PM	#27
Horsed Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 829 Images: 9	Okay thanks!

10-23-2009, 07:10 PM	#30
John Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 3,747 Images: 60	Check the roof of her mouth. Some horses (arabs) are quite flat and a plain old snaffle digs in and can cause a blister.