Recent content by LFORLEATHER

Do what you feel comfortable with ! You are not forced to compete, or even to practice dressage at home: you horse is not 'wasted' if you aren't competing.....and if you still want to ride, but not on your dressage horse, you can sell him or loan him out and get a quiet little plod to hack...

Hi - I recently watched part of a weekend Parelli clinic & was very impressed, seven bolshy horses all practically behaving like lambs by the end! One had been very 'in your face' to the point of actually treading on his owner, but by Sunday lunchtime he would stand while she walked all round...

The only mustang book I can remember is Smoky by Will somebody who was American. I think it was written in the forties or early fifties,it seemed pretty dated when I read it about 1965!

They aren't harsh if you are gentle! They are designed to be used with an extremely light contact so that the reins are almost in loops - NEVER pulled or jerked. If you're used to riding in a snaffle, well, a Western curb is not the same........you need a whole different technique.

Try Relax Me by a company called Horse First - I've heard some really good reports of it (haven't used it myself as I don't need one).

DON'T use a hackamore.......if a curb chain has done damage, a hackamore will do worse! You could maybe try a Dr Cook's or a Scawbrig - if the horse has nothing to fight against it will probably relax. Also check your saddle fitting. Good luck!

I can't help thinking this might be a saddle/shoulder problem: was the horse lunged in his saddle? Does it restrict his shoulders, or are you fitting it too far forward (lots of people do)? If that is the case then your weight will hurt him as well as affecting his balance. Get a good back...

Hi, I'm probably teaching Grandmother to suck eggs, but have you had Ellie's back checked by a back specialist? I have found that it's impossible to put weight on horses of any age if their backs are out, and your mare's weak back end make me wonder if she has damage in the lumbar region: it...

How cheap? I've got a new synthetic one for £200 (not a Wintec though) it's a medium fit & I never used it

Have you tried a Scawbrig? It's like a bitless snaffle, as opposed to a hackamore which is like a bitless curb - I think it's much safer until rider & horse get used to the lack of a bit and lots of horses seem to go well in it.