tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post4427972401486935590..comments2023-11-03T06:05:46.836-07:00Comments on The Reeling: An Unexpected Mareventure: Break On Through To The Other SideAndreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15902291220984883182noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-73240555509262375372014-06-01T18:55:59.289-07:002014-06-01T18:55:59.289-07:00A long way FROM trying! Dammit.A long way FROM trying! Dammit.eventer79https://www.blogger.com/profile/03160817772061132147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-74306389342493903212014-06-01T18:54:32.492-07:002014-06-01T18:54:32.492-07:00Congratulations on opening the toolbox! :)
While...Congratulations on opening the toolbox! :)<br /><br />While I always err on the side of "less is more," Solo taught me that you can waste a helluva lot of time wrestling with an insanely strong and opinionated red-head on XC in a snaffle...or you can communicate with a light touch in just a moment with (for him) an elevator.<br /><br />I've come a long way trying to make horses fit into theory (time and experience have a way of doing that, heh), with plenty of stumbling and restarting along the way. But I think one of the defining qualities of the horse(wo)men I respect most is the thoughtful exploration outside of the box, always thinking for oneself, and LISTENING TO THE HORSE.<br /><br />Because I don't know about everyone else's, but mine remind me often that they sure never read the book! ;Deventer79https://www.blogger.com/profile/03160817772061132147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-4343464475213876722014-05-30T13:43:37.637-07:002014-05-30T13:43:37.637-07:00I don't think I'm really a snaffle snob, b...I don't think I'm really a snaffle snob, but I do prefer that horses start in one and if possible eventually work their way back into one (or better yet bitless hehe). To get there though sometimes you have to use something stronger. And you better believe if a horse is bolting on me and nothing will stop it I'll slap a strong bit on until they figure out that's not a good idea. There is nothing wrong with that. Our safety is important! Bits, just like any other piece of equipment, are only as cruel as the hands who use them. Sometimes the harsh ones are a necessary evil, but there is nothing stopping someone from retraining back into a snaffle. :) I also like the combo ones I've been seeing that can be ridden as a snaffle, but have a second rein to back things up when it starts to feel out of control. I'm glad you found something that works for O! You're probably the first person who has ever insisted she listens! Good for you.Achieve1dreamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15401246064499148344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-23291981306641660162014-05-28T14:51:24.251-07:002014-05-28T14:51:24.251-07:00No snaffle elitism here, even though I've real...No snaffle elitism here, even though I've really only ridden one horse occasionally in a non-snaffle bit, just for jumping. Use what works. Take care of yourself. Finesse will come.<br /><br />Though those with the most finesse sometimes use the most bits. ;-)SprinklerBandithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02948487857418394022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-16201078262502260742014-05-28T14:13:38.687-07:002014-05-28T14:13:38.687-07:00You gotta use what works, a lot of people forget t...You gotta use what works, a lot of people forget that. L.Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05052638724440787772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-61572949673371116242014-05-28T11:52:43.203-07:002014-05-28T11:52:43.203-07:00Yeah, I'd call myself a snaffle elitist - but ...Yeah, I'd call myself a snaffle elitist - but that's just because I haven't run into anyone who respects a snaffle - they all go straight to something heavier to fix the problem - and they treat the heavier bit with the same shouting they used with the snaffle. <br />Your ever questioning, ever theorizing, and ever exploring with your horse to find out what will work is why I respect you as a horsewoman. You are always seeking to whisper and that's what I'm striving for!SarahWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16182449850066338574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-13585281531597842012014-05-28T11:32:06.145-07:002014-05-28T11:32:06.145-07:00snaffle snob is the PERFECT TERM. I am one - and ...snaffle snob is the PERFECT TERM. I am one - and always feel like I'm cheating when I'm using something else... but truth be told right now we get better quality work, and more relaxation out of a combo bit with Prair, and a pelham when we're jumping. It's taken me a long time to get over my pony club self and feel ok about that choice and not like I need to hide my bridle... but not getting my arms ripped out and speeding around has it's appeal!!!!Ginghamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06677667981067220682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-9655462509465204092014-05-28T08:06:41.305-07:002014-05-28T08:06:41.305-07:00Love this update!! Love this update!! Cathrynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15652933884652697666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-16196197275714759532014-05-28T06:51:52.678-07:002014-05-28T06:51:52.678-07:00This: "When I'm quieter, she is quieter, ...This: "When I'm quieter, she is quieter, and we're both a lot happier for it. Before we were shouting at each other, and now we can whisper." Totally and completely. Same thing with Qmare. <br /><br />Also, with your "maybe she'll be an eventer yet" coupled with that last photo of O, it makes her expression seem all the more like, "Damnit. My days of My Way Or The Highway are over. Sigh. Tricksy human figuring things out!"<br /><br />Liz Stouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267806576736655184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-8852713635911017922014-05-28T06:35:01.043-07:002014-05-28T06:35:01.043-07:00I did a similar post earlier this year about how I...I did a similar post earlier this year about how I ride Paddy in a Kimberwicke, because HOLY FUCK otherwise he had no brakes or steering, and just happily went around going "screw you!" all the time. And you know, after a while of him "getting" what I was asking for, we got to back off to a nicer bit. Do what you gotta do - you have and educated hand and seat and you can make it work only when you need to. If that's what it takes, that's what it takes. I'm super glad you found something that works!jenjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-493965057571984782014-05-28T04:40:29.797-07:002014-05-28T04:40:29.797-07:00I will confess: I have one of these horses. Went l...I will confess: I have one of these horses. Went lovely in a snaffle til she grew some muscle and decided she was taking over. Upgraded to a double bridle and bam! light as a feather. Round, soft, loose, relaxed. Back to the snaffle and she's as tight as a teaparty. Up up up in the sky. Back to the double - soft as pie. Grrr.Mac v Machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15071463747433786766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-16686286826253295702014-05-28T04:03:03.566-07:002014-05-28T04:03:03.566-07:00My horse, at 11 years old, has "progressed&qu...My horse, at 11 years old, has "progressed" to a hollow mouth eggbutt which he loves dearly. Had I tried that when he was 4-8 yo, I would have had a hot mess on my handsSmartAlexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06219182373225762230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-50252891048349765702014-05-27T21:37:23.930-07:002014-05-27T21:37:23.930-07:00That's awesome. Happy for you both! (I'm s...That's awesome. Happy for you both! (I'm sure she will be much happier with boundaries she can't shove aside.)Funderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06358687366401205336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-73391830785679277552014-05-27T21:24:39.413-07:002014-05-27T21:24:39.413-07:00I'm so glad someone posted something like this...I'm so glad someone posted something like this, as I've been thinking about this topic a lot lately. Yes, I agree that horses should be able to go in a dressage legal bit with some semblance of control, but you know what, I want to be able to control my horse. If that means she needs something more than an eggbutt snaffle then you better believe I'm going to use it. You have to do what works for you and your horse, and that is all :) Glad to hear O mare is making progress!Aliciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07500126230379142357noreply@blogger.com