Get this godamn thing OUT of my mouth!!

[hackedoff]

Ever feel like you've been outflanked by your horse.??? decided to put Archer in his straight rubber snaffle to do a schooling session/riding lesson (cos GOD I need it after all this happy hacking) Well it took me 10 minutes to wrestle the bit into his mouth then he chewed on it bad-temperedly while I got ready. Took the lead file in the lesson bending around cones and riding into corners and oh boy the sulking about having to work in a bit!!!!!! Stamping, ears pinned, bunching, and the most horrible shuffly trot you've ever seen, kept napping to the gate and being silly about the cones (tiny evil gnomes in big hats) so I gave up and got off, ran back to yard and put his Dr Cook back on..............
Taaa-daaah!!!!!! Happy confident steps, deep into the corners and bending in trot, you want canter now mum? Instructor said she'd never seen anything like it, with bit looked like he was being forced to eat worms and was totally 'blocked' and behind the aids, in Dr Cook a happy co-operative supple horse. :o
He looked horribly smug for the rest of the day :p "Told you I didnt want that piece of c**p in my mouth, maybe you could trust me a bit more hmmmm?"

[Showjumper]

lol he's definitely made his mind up! :)

[Silver1]

I don't think rubber tastes all that good anyway. ;)

[*Rachel_George*]

awww bless he knows what he likes. Shows you what a HUGE difference a change of bit can make to a horse

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[hackedoff]

yeah or removal of !!!!!

[Yann]

Sounds like a rather clearly expressed opinion!:D

I take it he was objecting to the bit full stop rather than bit = schooling and hard work? This is one reason I don't hack out bitless all the time, though Rio doesn't mind her bit.

[hackedoff]

indeed Yann, he was quite happy to do the second half of the lesson in Dr Cook, ( which got harder, more bending work and into canter) and as I've said all the bad stuff just went away..... he seems to be so content in the bitless it seems daft to put him in a bit just for the sake of it (I dont show) so going to try a couple other options eg Myler combi, conventional hackmore, french link just to make sure before I make him a totally bitless horse, but I thought it was an interesting experience to share with the other people on the NH board.

[tazzle22]

:) :) :) :)

bet he is glad he has got a mum that listens to him ;)

[KarinUS]

That's great that he is working so well in the bitless. I was pleasantly suprised how well DJ goes in his as well. We finally got our second bitless in so when we ride together both can wear one.
Archer sounds like a good boy though. He is entitled to an opinion as well... ;)

[hackedoff]

I was pleasantly suprised how well DJ goes in his as well. We finally got our second bitless in so when we ride together both can wear one.

Er Karin you and your horse both wear a bitless bridle? Now thats partnership and harmony!!!! :D :D

As for him having an opinion, thats exactly what the yard I'm at is all about, as long as no-one is doing anything dangerous then anything goes!! When I got the Dr Cook it was met with "Oh wow, nice piece of kit, let us know how he goes in it" followed by a rash of borrowing. At my last more traditional yard I'd have been taken out and stoned to death..........

So a Balance Saddle, barefoot and bitless, I couldnt make him any more comfortable could I? ;)

[Drummers mum]

I get coments about how molly coddled my pony is and I say, thats right, only the best for Drummer!! :D

Hackedoff, it sounds like you are getting on brill wth your bitless. I have to say that Drummer is getting better and better, I think he has eventually sussed out what its all about! :rolleyes:

[hackedoff]

Yeah I may have to give in on this one - I plodded to the far end of the field to say goodbye (40 acre field so a fair old hike) he came up to me as soon as he saw me and got a sweetie and a scratch. I told him he didnt have to have a bit if he didnt want one but he'd have to promise to be good!!!! :)

[KarinUS]

LOL :D.

I was tired when I wrote this! The first bitless I purchased was taken by OH and his horse. So if Ray and Missy ride with us I had to use DJ's old bridle. Now DJ got his own bitless so when we all (4) ride together he can have one too. ;)

[~Perdita.M~]

LOL :D.I was tired when I rode this!

Still tired now too :D

Bless Archer for putting his ponit across so well, and you too hackedoff, for hearing him loud and clear! :D :)

[dancing-horse]

Isn't their some sort of flavoring or something that you can aplly to the bit that might make it more enjoyable for him. I read somewhere that there is apple flavoring or something that gives the bit an appley taste. If Im just making it up (LOL) why not try squeezing some juice from an apple on the bit. Maybe he'll learn to be a little better over time.

[KarinUS]

Perdita,

thanks a lot for saving this for eternity! :eek: WROTE not rode. :p

But yes, I typed this at 6am our time. Just came in from morning feeding and went back to bed...

[~Perdita.M~]

Sorry Karin :o If you ask me nicely I might edit my post and delete the quote :D