Ain't Broke - Dont Fix It?

PaddyMonty

PaddyMonty

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I have always believed very strongly in that saying, particularly where horses are concerned but am now having to re-evaluate that belief.
I recently tried jumping Otto in a hackamore. Well this change was due to me trying to find a combination that would allow his owner to jump him. The problem is that if he has even the slightest contact on his mouth over a fence he explodes on landing. Hence trying bitless.
Now the thing is, I dont have any real problem jumping him in a bit. He is improving all the time as his trust in me not to touch his mouth grows.
So if it was just me jumping him I would never have tried the hackamore (aint broke).
But, I think the bitless route is probably the best solution for him when I'm jumping aswell. He's much calmer making the job more enjoyable for both of us.
So the problem is, is the 'ain't broke - don't fix it' rule a good one?
Are those that follow it missing out on an even better performance by not experimenting significantly?
Are we really sure we dont have a problem?

Your thoughts............
 
There are so many things out there to try and I'm sure we all have areas we could improve - it's worth experimenting IMO.

Just out of interest, how are your brakes in the hackamore? My horse is quite nervous of contact on his mouth when jumping - sometimes he can throw his head right up on the approach to a fence (doesn't do this so much now). I've though about trying a hackamore, but worry that I won't be able to stop/steer!
 
I'm with Weezy on exploring all options, normally prompted by the feeling that things aren't quite good enough (spot the perfectionist!) Also I think it's important to be be very open-minded where horses are concerned; they are all so individual and long-suffering that they may be doing things for you out of the generosity of their nature, but how long for? Usually until the challenge you give them is a step too far and they tell you they'd like a different approach.
 
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Just out of interest, how are your brakes in the hackamore? I've though about trying a hackamore, but worry that I won't be able to stop/steer!

[/ QUOTE ]

Brakes are excellent
smile.gif
I had the same concern as you. Visions of tearing round the indoor at flat out gallop totally out of control.
Reality was he was much more settled (after initial 'What the hells this') period. really threw me on approach for a while though as the rush he always did from 3 strides out stopped happening. I had to do a rethink on approach technique. My feeling is he was running away from the contact on approach (witrh bit) which he no longer needed to do with the hackamore. I do have to use more leg to keep the impulsion now but this is a benefit as i can be more consistent and the rythm stays.
Steering needed a little sorting. Just a case of finding the best method of controlling the outside shoulder.
Looking forward to trying the hackamore in competition on sunday.
smile.gif
 
I think the saying 'can' be true - in this case as he obviously wasn't happy with the bit a new appraoch was needed. I agree with Weezy - u should look at all available options when training as u could find something that really works well.
 
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in this case as he obviously wasn't happy with the bit a new appraoch was needed.

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Ah but thats my point. It didn't appear that he did have a problem with the bit when i jumped him. The rush on approach just felt like him 'locking on' to the fence. If it wasn't for the problems the owner has with him I wouldn't have taken such a divergent option as removing the bit. Sure i would have played about with different bits but not taken it to bitless.
So my point is, when we dont percieve we have a significant problem should we still instigate signifcant changes just to see what will happen and risk upsetting the apple cart?
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Just out of interest, how are your brakes in the hackamore? I've though about trying a hackamore, but worry that I won't be able to stop/steer!

[/ QUOTE ]

Brakes are excellent
smile.gif
I had the same concern as you. Visions of tearing round the indoor at flat out gallop totally out of control.
Reality was he was much more settled (after initial 'What the hells this') period. really threw me on approach for a while though as the rush he always did from 3 strides out stopped happening. I had to do a rethink on approach technique. My feeling is he was running away from the contact on approach (witrh bit) which he no longer needed to do with the hackamore. I do have to use more leg to keep the impulsion now but this is a benefit as i can be more consistent and the rythm stays.
Steering needed a little sorting. Just a case of finding the best method of controlling the outside shoulder.
Looking forward to trying the hackamore in competition on sunday.
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Ooh I might give it a try then....I'm sure mine would benefit from jumping in a bitless - it's just a little scary when you're used to a bit (although I have ridden in bitless before and found it fine, the horse was used to it).

I see your point, though about upsetting the applecart. I suppose really we should take a good look at our horses behaviour on a regular basis and assess whether it's possible to improve on things. If everything was going seemingly well with my horse I wouldn't want to change things, it's difficult i suppose as you get used to the way they act
confused.gif
 
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