Mouse&Bay
Active Member
Need your advice on bit suggestions.
Large green warmblood that is usually ridden in a KK ultra loose ring. Less than a year under saddle, still working on all of the dressage basics of forward and straight (ish).
I'm a relatively novice-ish rider. Been around the block a while but not perfect... and I know that my hands or "feel" is less than perfect. I don't reward as quickly as I should and I sometimes jiggle around up there when I should be more giving and still. This human is doing all she can to work on these issues but horse still gets annoyed with my messing about (and I don't blame him). Annoyance it typically expressed by going above or behind the bit and being fussy with his mouth. He also sucks behind the leg when he's not sure.
Okay, I'll end the confessional and ask the question. He seems to like the KK ultra and I don't want to put him in anything stronger. We have steering, we have brakes, I don't think the mouthpiece is the issue. What I'm wondering is whether the loose rings of the KK are too sensitive for myself? i.e. they transmit my 'bad' signals too well annoying the horse. Is such a thing possible? If it is, do you think I should switch to a different cheek piece that will protect my big guy from my silliness? What should I consider - an eggbutt or a D ring? boucher?
My dressage coach schools all of her horses in the loose rings but she is *skilled*. She has nice quiet hands.
Any suggestions/experiences/advice would be welcome.
Large green warmblood that is usually ridden in a KK ultra loose ring. Less than a year under saddle, still working on all of the dressage basics of forward and straight (ish).
I'm a relatively novice-ish rider. Been around the block a while but not perfect... and I know that my hands or "feel" is less than perfect. I don't reward as quickly as I should and I sometimes jiggle around up there when I should be more giving and still. This human is doing all she can to work on these issues but horse still gets annoyed with my messing about (and I don't blame him). Annoyance it typically expressed by going above or behind the bit and being fussy with his mouth. He also sucks behind the leg when he's not sure.
Okay, I'll end the confessional and ask the question. He seems to like the KK ultra and I don't want to put him in anything stronger. We have steering, we have brakes, I don't think the mouthpiece is the issue. What I'm wondering is whether the loose rings of the KK are too sensitive for myself? i.e. they transmit my 'bad' signals too well annoying the horse. Is such a thing possible? If it is, do you think I should switch to a different cheek piece that will protect my big guy from my silliness? What should I consider - an eggbutt or a D ring? boucher?
My dressage coach schools all of her horses in the loose rings but she is *skilled*. She has nice quiet hands.
Any suggestions/experiences/advice would be welcome.