cadmus
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My Doggy
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Bits
Feb 4, 2008 14:04:41 GMT 1
Post by cadmus on Feb 4, 2008 14:04:41 GMT 1
Ive been riding Cody in a 3 ring dutch gag for years, 2nd hole for hacking and on the big ring for schooling. He can be a bit strong so rather than take chances I always hack out on the 2nd hole.
Yesterday when he was playing up and I was battling with him, he seemed to be evading the bit by running backwards and Im just wondering if maybe a change of bit may be necessary...just to try some out perhaps.
Any suggestions? OH suggests same bit but in a happy mouth.
Dont want to be forking out on loads of new bits though.
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Feb 4, 2008 14:40:13 GMT 1
Post by lisah on Feb 4, 2008 14:40:13 GMT 1
Hiya hon
Running backards is a very naughty evasion - Brian is an expert - and it's not really anything to do with the bit so you probably don't need to change that.
I can't offer any advice on the running back as I still can't stop Brian when he does it LOL You can turn them into a very small circle, almost bending their body in half, but if your horse is a rearer like mine then this tends to just make them go up in the air .
The running back is an evasion of everything and not very nice to sit to - I don't think a change in bit would make any difference, If he is going back out of fear then he needs some kind of reassurance, (it sounds like Cody was scared of the big dog) if it is out of sheer temper and/or naughtiness then you just have to sit it out (that's Brian's reasons for doing it )
Sorry I am not much help honey - but at least my post will save you having to buy a new bit LOL
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cadmus
Member
My Doggy
Posts: 1,379
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Bits
Feb 4, 2008 15:19:28 GMT 1
Post by cadmus on Feb 4, 2008 15:19:28 GMT 1
To be honest Lisa I agree, it was OH that suggested a different bit so it got me thinking, but I personally think he would do it with any bit, sometimes it is because he is scared, although yesterday he just spun round. Its mostly temper/naughtiness, and yes it is quite scary as you suddenly feel a bit out of control. Cody isnt a regular rearer but has done it once or twice, I know if I push and push and push, he will give in, its just having the strength and determination to sit it out. Im going to tell him hes going in horsemart tonight - see if he understands
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Feb 4, 2008 16:25:35 GMT 1
Post by Shadow on Feb 4, 2008 16:25:35 GMT 1
Hiya hon Running backards is a very naughty evasion - Brian is an expert - and it's not really anything to do with the bit so you probably don't need to change that. I can't offer any advice on the running back as I still can't stop Brian when he does it LOL You can turn them into a very small circle, almost bending their body in half, but if your horse is a rearer like mine then this tends to just make them go up in the air . The running back is an evasion of everything and not very nice to sit to - I don't think a change in bit would make any difference, If he is going back out of fear then he needs some kind of reassurance, (it sounds like Cody was scared of the big dog) if it is out of sheer temper and/or naughtiness then you just have to sit it out (that's Brian's reasons for doing it ) Sorry I am not much help honey - but at least my post will save you having to buy a new bit LOL just a thought...i know afew ppl that had horses that had awful habits of running backwards out of naughtiness (everything else was checked first) when ever they basically felt like it...even onto main roads, into ditches you name it they did it...so they got expert advise and they have all been told the same thing...and that is.... ... "if your horse wants to go back then make it....even if it doesn't want to any more just keep making it afew more steps..in the end your horse would rather go forward thats more comfier than going backwards that uses alot more of there energy..some horses learn just after a couple of times...others only take afew days but it does work, so the strategy is, you want to go forward, your horse starts to go backwards, the second you feel this (should be on the first step) make him/her go backwards (don't let him/her turn out of going backwards), as soon as your horse seems to be reluctant to go backwards do just a couple more steps then ask to stand for a couple of seconds...when ready ask to go forwards. if again he/she tries the same again then repeat the procedure"The ppl i know that had this problem tried this and it does work......Bobby...Lisa with Ruby (problem horse from Horse Imports aka Happy Hackers) was really bad for it...but shes great now and doesn't back up at all unless shes unsure about something which she only does 1 step back now..with that Lisa just gets her to stand to look at what ever shes unsure of.
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Feb 4, 2008 16:59:05 GMT 1
Post by lisah on Feb 4, 2008 16:59:05 GMT 1
That is a good in the right circumstances Shadow - sadly it worked on Brian in the school for about 3 days and then he figured out how to evade that too - he just started going up again !!!!
Also, if your horse is behaving like this on a main road or any other unsafe place it is hard to put the method of ''keep them going backwards'' safely into practice.
Most riders, if they let their horse stand and have a look at the 'scarey thing' (Like the girl with Ruby that you mention) then horses would not try and run off anyway --- sadly, most riders get in a flap, start shouting at the horse or kicking it on to go past, and the horse being a natural flight animal obliges by running off in whatever direction it can. That is why a little reassurance and letting the horse stop and have a look is great.
I do see where you are coming from Shadow and the ''making it go back'' principle is great in a school or controlled environment but is not always practical or safe if out on the road or faced with a difficult obstacle - such as a 15 foot drop into a reservoir that Brian kept threatening me with on one hack, Alliecat was there with me, and the LAST thing I was going to do was make him go back any further LOL
LisaH xxxx
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Feb 4, 2008 17:11:02 GMT 1
Post by Shadow on Feb 4, 2008 17:11:02 GMT 1
yeah i know what you mean Lisa....just thought it may have helped alittle...but yes i do know what you mean by the save enviroment...lucky for the ones that tried the strategy they where in a pretty safe-ish place so to speak.
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Feb 4, 2008 17:34:50 GMT 1
Post by lisah on Feb 4, 2008 17:34:50 GMT 1
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Feb 4, 2008 17:45:54 GMT 1
Post by Shadow on Feb 4, 2008 17:45:54 GMT 1
well that is a very good point seeing as horseback riding is now at the top of the list for the most dangerous sport
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Feb 4, 2008 22:52:14 GMT 1
Post by bingbong on Feb 4, 2008 22:52:14 GMT 1
i have also had direct knowlage of this i used to have an 18hh solidly build big s** head he would get me off everytime i rode either from his massive whiprounds, the rearing, napping or the spooking - it made me more determind everytime though cos even though he did all of this, he was the best horse i ever sat on, belive it or not! he would do the same runn backwards not go forward and rear, but it was a confidence thing with him, he would get sooo worked up that his brain just couldnt cope and all he could do was rear etc, it was like stress amangment for him! eventually in time, i learned to give him trust and in turn he gave it back and actually turned out to be a good horse and i did a lot with him, it took a long time though and i kept him in the snaffle. i really believe that a horse has to trust his rider and the rider has to try trust the horse, for there to be a relationship. when i was schooling i would always work INTO the bridle leg into hand, always asking questions, circles, transitions, so that he never had time to thik.... oh no this is stressfull, and cos he was doing lots more it was like...'hey i just suck and suck and it wasnt scarey' and his confidence grew stick with it, he will come with time, now you have your confidence im sure it wont be long b4 cody gets his
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cadmus
Member
My Doggy
Posts: 1,379
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Bits
Feb 5, 2008 11:05:01 GMT 1
Post by cadmus on Feb 5, 2008 11:05:01 GMT 1
"i would always work INTO the bridle leg into hand, always asking questions, circles, transitions, so that he never had time to thik..."
Yeah thats what I do with him. ;D
I find it easier to just sit quietly when hes running backwards, legs on and sooth him or he will get more worked up...obviously making sure the area is safe aswell. we'l get there in the end.
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Feb 5, 2008 12:22:52 GMT 1
Post by bingbong on Feb 5, 2008 12:22:52 GMT 1
im sure he will come in time, dont know if id risk the hacking the now while hes in this mood tho, always look after your self dont put your self in a position etc.
and wow you had an arab and aWB b4? so you seam to be an experienced rider, what made you loose your confidence in the first place doyou know?
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cadmus
Member
My Doggy
Posts: 1,379
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Bits
Feb 5, 2008 13:19:31 GMT 1
Post by cadmus on Feb 5, 2008 13:19:31 GMT 1
Had a bad fall from a buck and got trampled....was laid up for weeks. Then got Cody and he threw me on to his neck, was cantering up a field on his neck....quite funny really, till I got him back into trot and plopped off, triggered off my old pelvic and back injury and just lost my confidence completely. Had him 3 years now and touch wood only come off him that once even though hes bucked loads, it still scares the hell out of me at times, and Im still working very hard to be able to canter without stiffening up....funny how I used to go SJ and now Im like a novice...but with a good grip it seems!! ha ha
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Feb 5, 2008 13:43:53 GMT 1
Post by claireandchief on Feb 5, 2008 13:43:53 GMT 1
I had the same confidence issues. I've had ponies/horses for 20 years and when i was younger i was fearless, just thinking of some of the things we did makes me wince.
The pony at the time was fantastic at showjumping and took me all over competing, but he wasn't safe by any means - he used to jump across the road, have no breaks at all and generally prattle about.
I think with age you get wise, and only the smallest thing on Chief would revert my mind back to this pony (even though that was nearly 15 years ago) Chief and my pony are completely chalk and cheese but you can't help the 'What if's'.... Slowly its all come back and i'm looking forward to this year, but it certainly takes it's time and can be easily knocked. I'm not saying its a bad thing because it puts things in perspective, but i hate having these 'blips'. Fingers crossed there won't be any this year, for me and anyone else.
xxx
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Feb 5, 2008 14:24:35 GMT 1
Post by lisah on Feb 5, 2008 14:24:35 GMT 1
I think there is nothing wrong in accepting that now and again our confidence can take a bashing.
13 years ago I thought I would never sit on a horse again - not even a rocking horse. I would be a nervous wreck tacking up and if it had not been for getting Rambo I probably would have given up riding - I'd ridden one too many 'naughty' horses at that time.
I think it takes a very brave and honest person to accept that the confidence is wobbly - lot of people blame the horse which makes me SOOOOO angry.
So I take my hat off to everybody that recognises and accepts it is them and not the horse that needs the support and attention in order to get through the confidence 'blip'
We all go through it - often more than once :-)
Lisa H xxxxx
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Feb 5, 2008 17:08:44 GMT 1
Post by paddysmum on Feb 5, 2008 17:08:44 GMT 1
When did he have his teeth last done gen? Paddy lets me know when its time to have his teeth done, he pulls and plays with his bit, i struggle to get any contact with him and when i do, i lose it straight away. I have tryd loads of bits with him, thinking it was the bit was not right for him, but as learn more from our ponies, it was his way of telling me it was dentist time. He was due for a check up at the time, a 6 month one, and as it happened, they needed doing again.
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