Posted 2015-06-29 6:03 AM Subject: Which Bit? help
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 422 Location: Fort Bragg North Carolina
About the horse: older horse knows the pattern well ex roping horse. Running him in a Sherri cervi lifter (2 piece) he is a been there done it very relaxed does great w slow work trails etc
The problem: when running the pattern he grabs the bit and basically does whatever he wants your exb can be fantastic but you won't know how his run will be until u get to each barrel. I am checking him at each barrel and two handing him (for better control) sometimes I can't put the breaks on enough and he floats out his rear on the backside of the barrel. He also has problem lifting going to the first basically he's amaZing until you run then he falls apart very very hard in the mouth. I have done a lot of softening on him but when he's running he looses all of it. I have also tried harsher bits on him like a twisted combo and he bobs his head and snorts like he's ****ed so...
Question: what bit will help him sit his a$& at the barrel are there training aids that can be used? I do lots of exercises to help but this horse turns into a different horse as soon as he's down the alley.
Posted 2015-06-29 7:51 AM Subject: RE: Which Bit? help
Elite Veteran
Posts: 883 Location: Southern Indiana
Sounds like he needs a lot of tuning beyond just the bit. In all honesty he probably isn't really all that hard-mouthed. In reality he is probably just trying to go much faster than either of you are ready for and in return you are having to help him too much by getting in his mouth. It may be time to take some time off from exhibitions and do your homework. Work him slow at home and drill it in his head on what he needs to do. Get him to rate, lift, and keep that hind end up under himself. Teach him to listen to you and that he doesn't always have to be in such a rush. Once you can trust him without having to do all the work for him, then break him back out. Also, using a German martingale can be beneficial in helping him collect. If you really feel you need more bit when you run, I would go to a pretzel. If you need that much, I would only break out the big guns for your run and at home keep him in something less harsh.
Posted 2015-06-29 9:57 AM Subject: RE: Which Bit? help
Veteran
Posts: 227 Location: Heart of Texas
I would slow him down completely. Clearly he's not ready to run. It's good he wants too. But he's not there yet. My mare was the same way. When practicing at home. Trot or lope to the barrel. Say whoa, sit, and STOP. Back two steps. Then lope two big full circles around the barrel. This will help instill the rate and gets them more relaxed around the barrel. When you go around a couple of times it makes them get their butt under them and they can't drop that front shoulder. It also helps to relax them so they're not anticipating the turn soo much.
Posted 2015-06-30 5:48 AM Subject: RE: Which Bit? help
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 422 Location: Fort Bragg North Carolina
He knows the barrels w his eyes closed but he's a prick like I said slow work and exb he's a gentleman but he grabs that bit when we run and like I said I have to two hand him and check the brains out of him but when we slow work he's opposite u push to the fence. It's very weird how he acts. He's been around the block I honestly believe he's gotten away w murder w another rider I used my combo today when we did slow work (figure 8) and he got ****ed I ignored it and he did decent I think once he realized the bit would bite he got off my hands a little more. I'll do research on the pretzel. And it's not that he flies when he runs in trying to keep him back due to how he acts but I want to let his speed go I feel like he knows what he's doin but used to a big bit at the barrels this is my gut feeling.
Which Bit? help
