Brakes

P

pip_dog

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 August 2012
Messages
203
Visit site
I have a new mare. She is lovely. Very forward going. But so much so. That when we are out hacking and I ask her to stand. It's a huge long argument. She hates being pulled. She just pulls back. She came with a Cheltenham gag. Used it once an realised how much she doesn't like it. So switched to a loose ring snaffle. Much nicer ride. Apart from this constant need to be on the go! How do we work on standing still without pulling at eachother?
 
Start from the ground, it's repetition, repitition.
Mounting blocks are good, as are voice commands, long rein, ask for a whoa, then stand, just a couple of seconds then walk on, increase the time standing, she will get the idea, above all keep calm
 
Put Cheltenham gag back on but have 2 reins use the snaffle rein and knot the gag rein over the neck if u don't want to hold 2 reins, ask for halt with snaffle rein and if she doesn't listen ask again with gag rein! My c gag is peanut centre, she may prefer that to nutcracker action ! Works for my rude horse!
 
Maybe it was me. But she truly hated the gag when we went out with it. Lots of head shaking and generally trying to evade it. Not a happy horse. I'm not sure how previous owner managed with it. She doesn't like it. Different horse with the snaffle. But I think she has a hardened mouth. Lots of years of people pulling on her I imagine. I think a flash nose band will help. And lots of boring schooling. I did consider a Pelham. As next year if I show her. It's the expected tack. Hmm. What to do
 
People ride differently, so maybe that's why the bit/horse/rider combination doesn't work but did for the last owner. Try the pelham with two reins so you can ride off the snaffle most of the time, using the curb as necessary. Or a cheek snaffle could help keep her head straight if she throws it around to avoid rein aids. You mentioned when you pull she pulls against you, so don't have a fixed pull. Instead if you have to take a pull squeeze and release the reins continuously at the same time, its not such a fixed feeling on the mouth.
 
Ok. Sounds good. Going to do a bit of lunging to. To get her listening a bit more. I like the sound of a Pelham. Mostly because as you say the option is there for more help of you need it. But if not. You can just ride on the snaffle. I'm not sure whether a straight bar would just encourage her to lean more. Or just to stick with the jointed kind
 
Jointed pelhams blunt the curb action. You'll have to experiment and see what works. Try a mullen mouth rugby pelham, the snaffle ring is loose which will discourage leaning. Or try a double bridle with a loose ring snaffle and a curb with sliding cheeks. If she hates tongue pressure she'll probably prefer a low port/tongue groove pelham/curb rather than a mullen mouth.
 
We use a pelham when hacking out , our mare is very forward and hates to stand still turning in a circle reining back till she stands nicely then she gets praise and a scratch.Schooling helps practising going slow rather than upward transitions all the time .Use your seat more and leg and lots of praise when schooling when they get it right..........sorry if I,m stating the obvious:p
 
No your not don't worry. That's why I am asking for advice. She's bombproof. But it's not helpful when she just will not stand still. I know cars can go round. But I want to stand to let them pass sometimes! When you say use your seat. How do you mean x
 
When you school practise using less of your hands to hold her back , when asking for halt sit deep pressing and squeezing with your butt .......working down into your thigh ........try keeping your contact on the rein light and squeeze gently like you would a sponge, if she does,nt listen a soft tweak of the kirb chain...not a pull ,more of a tickle on the rein , as soon as shes listening and standing lots of vocal praise and a scratch .......and relax your hands on the rein ..we built it up from a 1 sec stand to 3, 4 secs etc........to a full on stand and don,t move till I tell you, which she still finds difficult as she loves to be out doing stuff.........how well schooled is your mare?.........I only ask as ours was so forward when we first got her she had no brakes at a junction etc she,d just march on, so we took her back to basics in the school and got her listening to all the aids again..........schooling may be the key , practise downward transitions ..thats :)what helped us
 
She can listen. When I tried her she went beautifully. Very forward. But listened. I think hacking is just ever so exciting haha. She stands before we go. But once she gets going. She is unstoppable. She is better behaved in the first 5 mins x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top