Brakes issue

trieste

trieste

Active Member
Mar 5, 2004
1,275
5
38
Norfolk/Suffolk border on the coast
When I first got Panda she came with a 'magic' bit (also called a cambridge I believe) she was very upside down with over developed under neck muscle, the minute you took up a contact to get on, she ran backwards, I ditched the bit as my RI said it very severe and put her in a french link snaffle.

Result was she stopped backing up when I mounted and seemed happy, she was completely unfit and as she got fitter, she became a bit of a handful - especially jumping which she loves, I tried her in a dutch gag and she didn't like it, through her head around, so went for a french link wilkie (loop snaffle).

She has up until now been fine in this, but as I've got her so fit (my RI keeps commenting on how fit and well she is) and after her behaviour on Sunday (http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=209706)
which was pretty much repeated in my lesson which I had with my friend on her fieldmate yesterday. Heading away from Peggy towards a jump, can't be bothered, nappy etc heading back at a great rate of knots with her not listening, as my RI says this can't continue, I'm to try spurs to get her moving forward but need to try a different bit to be able to have control.

My RI is lending me a jointed pelham as I had tried my friends straight bar pelham which she hated. Problem is I can't jump with two sets of reins :eek:, so would use roundings, another friend uses a Kimblewick on her pony for hunting - has similar problem with brakes.

any thoughts please. :eek:
 
I really don't like jointed pelhams, I don't see the point in them :confused:, as soon as you apply pressure to the reins the curb chain stops working.
And as you say two reins can be awkward.
Kimblewicks are neat bits, I'd go for either a mullen (curved) mouth piece or a small ported mouth piece.:)
 
Jumping with 2 reins is easy once you get used to them :) my personal opinion is that if you don't want to use two reins, go for a kimblewick and not a pelham. mine went well in a pelham, also went well in a kimblewick. He also likes hanging cheek snaffles so that might be one to try?
 
Ditto the spurs, using them will only mask the problem. Its really hard when a horse has a 'fussy' mouth. There are so many bits out there its hard to choose one. My mare can be very strong but I do have brakes, she has always listened to me, of that I am grateful. But she can be very awkward in the mouth, too stronger bit and she's worse. I have found personally going back to her loose ring vulcanite snaffle and grackle noseband works well (so far). Good luck in your endeavours.
 
See, I found a pair of short rounded spurs really handy. It gave me back control of where Arnies back end was going. Once I had that area under control, I had more control over the front end.

I dont need them anymore but they really did a good job and helped me through a bit of a steering blip.
 
Thanks all, thanks Skippys Mum, it's always nice to get lots of opinions. :eek: Do feel my RI wouldn't have suggested it if she didn't think it was a good idea. :) She realises the difficulty of driving Panda forward away from her field mate, really need both hands on the reins, so not easy to back my legs up with a stick. :eek:
 
trieste said:
Thanks all, thanks Skippys Mum, it's always nice to get lots of opinions. :eek: Do feel my RI wouldn't have suggested it if she didn't think it was a good idea. :) She realises the difficulty of driving Panda forward away from her field mate, really need both hands on the reins, so not easy to back my legs up with a stick. :eek:
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Not really commenting on the spurs, but had you thought of a nice long schooling whip? Then you can reach behind your leg without taking your hands off the reins.
 
trieste said:
Thanks LindaAd, that's what I'm doing in lessons but you're not allowed a whip that length in comps.
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*takes a deep breath, prepares to be shot down*

I really wouldn't be competing her until this issue is sorted out. While she is behaving like this there is no way on earth she is ready for a show.
RE the spurs and the strong bits - honestly you will find that you will only end up in stronger and stronger bits and longer and longer spurs as yes at first they will mask the problem, until she evades those and you need an even stronger bit etc.
If she were mine, I would first get her back, teeth and saddle checked by qualified specialists to ensure she's not in pain, then take her back to basics. Someone, somewhere has gone wrong in this mare's training (before she came to you) and she needs to go back to basics. It will take time, but it will be worth it. Ditch the jumping and work on basic stuff like leaving her friends, responding to simple aids, etc etc before even attempting shows etc.

*ducks for cover*
 
Midnight Ashes, The thing is she hacks happily away from others we go to comps on our own she is perfectly behaved, actually up until Sunday I couldn't have wished for a better behaved pony. We've been improving at Jump Cross, we had a 5th first time out then came 4th and then 3rd. The same for my lesson this week, that was a first too. My RI, I think is of the opinion she's just being plain 'rude' and feels a short sharp shock and she'll return to her nice self. :eek: Might even be a case of 'spring grass', but she is incredibly strong, and opinionated, we have come a long way in the time she's been with me and she is the sort that you give an inch will take a mile.

Was interesting today, hacked with friends then returned to do some jumping with my friends they were down one end of the field just walking about, Panda was perfectly behaved jumped nicely away from them and wasn't pulling towards them either. Beginning to think pony had an off day in my lesson and just not used to being at shows having travelled with someone else.
 
Kimmy C said:
Suppose it was a bit unfair of me to comment about the spurs when I have a naturally forward going horse. Good if they act as an aid in the short term then.
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Arnie is actually a bit too forward going for me! Trouble was, his back end went all ways but the right way - including spinning round and trying to kick any passing horse:eek:. The spurs let me get it under control - I could steer again:D. Once he got the general idea I stopped needing them:cool:

I think Panda is just needing a wee boost to get her past a tricky spot. She has been coming on in leaps and bounds and I dont think one bad day should mean she should stop competing. I also dont think Trieste is meaning to go down the longer and longer spurs route - and she has already ridden her again over jumps with no problems in her usual tack. She maybe just needs a wee bit extra something for shows when excitement kicks in.

Unfortunately, not all of us are perfect riders - some of us need a helping hand now and then:D
 
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