Been cross-country, I have a mental pony :P

[Colour_Crazy_Gi]

Hehe. Did a cross-country clinic down by my yard today. I havent ridden Zola for a whole week so prepared myself. I asked to borrow someones flash-noseband just so that i didnt get tanked off with. I got one, but it was brown :P She looked so funny! Lol.

Got down there, she was quite calm really. Schooled her on the flat and i was really surprised. She'd had her teeth done by the dentist yesterday so i was expecting a change, but omg... not that much!! She was so willing to work for me and accepted the bit so nicely! Her canter was steadier than steady!! She did try do open her mouth and go a few times, but i was expecting it and she didnt get anywhere! I could see her sticking her tongue out though :P

When the instructor got there, she asked us to school them around her to see what they were like. Because Zola was going so nicely for me, she kept telling me to push her on. She told me she thought we could have problems getting away from jumps (landing) without loosing a few seconds. I though, oh dear... you havent seen anything yet!! Lol!

Another girl was first to go on her arab, Cherry. Very spooky so got a lead but eventually went round solo.

I went last on Zola as she thought we were slow... :rolleyes: Got upto the jumps, xc-position, and bang, into Zola-mode!!

Jumped them all fine though, got back to the group and the instructor said. "Well, we seem to be lacking something...I think its along the lines of.. brakes!!" Lol! I was like, yes.. We generally do. :p

She was a really good girl for me though. Her usual strong, whizzy self. The instructor recommended getting her a Dr. Bristol bit. I know everyone says, getting a new bit doesnt work, they need schooling. But in most cases like Zola, the schooling isnt an issue, shes and angel to school. She just has too much fun!

So im getting my own flash-noseband and a Dr. Bristol. I dont want anything along the lines of a gag, pelham etc. as she gets over-bitted easily!!

What are your views on a Dr. Bristol?

x x x x x

[x.fat-pony.x]

Awww well done at the XC clinic! I can picture it now, a skewbald blur flying over jumps in the distance :p

[connieD]

maybe its grid work you need to be doing to get her to slow down and be calmer when jumping. some horses rush due to a lack of confidence.

if you can get her to relax a bit more you hopefully wont have the problems with stopping.

you say you dont want to overbit her but in my eyes and in the wrong hands a dr bristol can be a very strong bit (dont know what your riding is like so saying this in general)

a dr bristol has the central lozenge at an angle which causes a sharper harsher pressure on the tounge.


i would go for some grid work lessons with a good instructor as over bitting her may cause more problems

[Colour_Crazy_Gi]

Had lots of gridwork lessons with my instructor. Shes fine, just loves her XC lots. If i get a Dr. Bristol, ill first ride her in it with my instructor giving me a lesson so i know what i can and cant do.

But thanks :) x x

[BeachRiding]

Lots of riders get a stronger bit because horses generally get over-excited and tank off. I think you should try a stronger bit, your better safe, you want your horse to stop quickly if you need her too. If she's not better in the stronger bit, then I would take it out and figure out if its another issue.

[iloveshearer]

Yayyyy glad you had fun :D I'd try her in the Dr Bristol, see what you think- you might not like it anyway but it's worth a try! Any piccies? :p

[Colour_Crazy_Gi]

Thanks :)

No :( Mum was going to come, but it wasnt really fair, pouring with rain, long walk and she has flat-feet which has been causing her lots of pain recently. I hope a passer by took some though :p

x x x x

[Loopy_Laura]

Yay did you have fun?! Sounds like Zola was zoooomy!
Was the clinic with s? what did you make of her and what did she make of you?
It really was raining 2day, you must have got soaked!

[Bronya]

If you need them, signs that a bit is too harsh/your hands aren't soft or steady enough for that bit....

- pony starts refusing or running out
- pony bucks on landing
- pony goes overbent (behind the bit)
- pony bucks when asked to stop/slow down
- pony starts to open mouth or put tongue over the bit to avoid its action
- pony starts to refuse to go on the bit
- pony goes backwards/won't take a contact

There are more - just a quick list of the most likely ones!

[Colour_Crazy_Gi]

Well, at the moment, Zola does the complete opposite :p

x x x

[Colour_Crazy_Gi]

Yay did you have fun?! Sounds like Zola was zoooomy!
Was the clinic with s? what did you make of her and what did she make of you?
It really was raining 2day, you must have got soaked!

Lots and lots of fun :D

Yes it was, i thought she was very good. But she kept calling me Adrian.. :confused: Lol.

We luckily just missed the rain though!!

x x x x

[ISH]

Sounds like you had lots of fun :)

Gridwork is normally the best way to teach a horse to slow down and be more careful when jumping, but if you have already done that, then I agree it is possible she just gets very excited with the XC jumps and so gets a bit stronger. Is she the same with SJ or just XC?

The thing with stronger bits are that you only need apply a smaller amount of pressure to get the brakes, which is better than hauling on a milder bit and not stopping! Brakes are fundamental in horse riding. If you and your instructor feel she needs a stronger bit, and she will get you going in the school a few times with it first, then I don't see a problem.

Are you going to stick with a milder bit for schooling?