bits for inhand showing...

[joanne1920]

ok, my friends and i are taking our ponies to an inhand show on sunday... My cob is nearly 4 but has never been to a show before, so we though we could all practice the standing up and trotting up, in preperation... basically my cob thought it was highly exciting and cantered when he was supposed to be trotting, then decided to pull away and kick v v close to my head! so caught him, trotted up again - cue pull away and trot (very nicely may i add!) to the other field. I was leading him in his eggbutt snaffle bridle which is what i was going to show him in - But i cant hold him if he decides to pull away.
So what other bits can i use?? I am practicing again tonight, but i just dont want to be either dragged around on sunday or being highly embaressed at my cob charging about through the rings!
Thanks

P.S i know this post makes me sound like a child but im actually 27 but own a 14hh cob... and i have done quite afew inhand shows with my shetland too

 

[scotsmare]

What class are you entering?

 

[conniegirl]

well i would sugest that you wear a hard hat just incase he does it again. As he is nearly 4 he would be classed as a 4 yearold so should be shown in his ridden bridle, you can use any snaffle or a pelham, if he is used to one.

 

[Theresa_F]

As he is 4 and classed as an adult, you could use a pelham and double reins.

Another thing is to use your snaffle and buy a dog choke chain. Thread this through the rings of the snaffle and then attach the loose rings to a long lead rein. This when given a quick jerk soon gets their attention and respect, and I speak from experience. Do make sure the rein you use is fairly long so he can't easily get away.

Now keep practicing and practicing and don't hestiate to give him a good tug on the choke chain if he messes around. I far prefer this option than to using a more strong bit. The dog chain is also excellent for leading in a head collar - my little cob went through a stage of going where he wanted and was cured of this within 10 mins of the chain giving him a couple of sharp tugs.

Good luck with him.

 

[joanne1920]

We're doing condition, novice pony and piebalad and skewbald.
Thanks Theresa_F as always you are so helpful, i have a got a choke chain spare and i'll try that tonight when we practice, i have got a pelham and i could borrow another set of reins but he's never had it on so dont really want to go down that route.

Can i actually show him with the chain through his bit rings?

Also you say about attaching a chain to his headcollar, does it go over his nose? M is a very naughty cob, in that he has learnt to turn his head away from me and almost plunge his head and body thats to get away from me completely, if he;s seen something that he wants to eat, he simply pulls :-(

Thanks x

 

[Theresa_F]

Yes show him with the chain on - it works better than using a newmarket coupling - I have a few times with Chancer, though now he is such a good boy he only had a leather coupling. If you use a copper snaffle, you can get copper chains to match. Far better to be under control with a chain and this way acts far more efficiently that running from one side of the bit to the other and into your hand as if they go up, you have downwards pressure.

Make sure it is a good sharp jerk - better do give a couple of sharp jerks so he really knows chain on = behave. As said, I have used this on numerous difficult in hand horses with great effect - when you are 5' tall you can't take chances on being dragged.

With the headcollar, put it under the jaw, again through the rings on the side - bascially an upside down triangle. This was the only thing that controlled my 16.3 WB mare when she was in one of her moods and going up. Again she learnt chain on meant behave and it transformed her.

Also good on horses that pull back when loading - backwards = uncomfortable as the chain tightens under the jaw but does not cause damage and leaves the mouth untouched and seems to make them less angry and wanting to fight.

For me a £2 dog chain is one of my best bits of equipment.

 

[joanne1920]

Thanks again Theresa, Ive just been looking at your photobucket album, Chancer is just gorgeous!
I'll try and get some pics at the show, and will let you know how we get on! Fingers crossed for us!

 

[Theresa_F]

Good luck and post some pics. Gypsy cobs are wonderful but have no fear, huge intelligence and on occasion a "don't give a sh*t" attitude.

Firm and fair handling - never let them get away with anything and be prepared that on occasion they do need a very firm discussion - normally more so than a sensitive TB type would - they are tough, rough and cocky - but get them on your side and have them respect you, and they will go the last mile for you, rather like the people who developed the breed.

 

[joanne1920]

You summed him up perfectly!