Changing tack for purpose

C

crackerjack

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I am taking C to a 15 mile sponsored ride on Sunday-which is probably no big deal but it's a pretty big milestone for us
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- and i have a few silly questions if you don't mind;
-leather girth or synthetic (both equally comfortable i just don't know what would be better)
-What should i feed him after as it's forecast to be hot and he will probably sweat a bit
-how do i keep calm when he goes loony?

Also slightly related- what tack do you change when doing different things, different saddles or bits etc?

Thank you
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1. I prefer synthetic

2. I would feed an electrolyte supplement for a day or two before, the day of, and the day after. i usually feed sloppy sugar beet at the same time.

3. Um....try and relax. He should be fine when he's had a good blast.

4. Same saddle til I can afford to buy a new one in the summer. Myler Comfort snaffle 99% of the time, for all flatwork, hacking, 99% of SJing and sometimes XC. Sometimes use a waterford snaffle for XC, kimblewick or waterford gag for hunting with a flash noseband. Never use a flash normally though. Always use a breastplate for XC, fun rides etc.
 
Schooling - dr saddle, comfort bridle with french link
Hacking - dr saddle, comfort bridle with french link dutch gag
Jumping - jumping saddle & comfort bridle with french link dutch gag, open fronted tendon boots in front & ankle boots behind.
Always in a cavesson ie a crank done up loosely as I couldn't get a comfort with a normal cavesson.
 
I would go with the girth he is most comfortable but you would be better with the synthetic if he is likely to sweat a lot. Take some water with you and just keep offering him small amounts when you get back from the ride and use the rest to slosh the worst of the sweat off him. Not sure about the electrolites...I never bother and do 15 mile pleasure rides every week in the summer and have had no problem. I would also give him a day off afterwards too.
In terms of relaxing...breath and sing if that helps...are you on your own or with someone else because you will probably have horses passing you to overtake, which can un-settle some horses if not used to it on their own. Just try to keep everything to a steady pace, don't go charging off at the start and getting him wound up, ask for a steady trot and keep going. Also, if he does charge along don't hang off his mouth...which is easy to do as I used to in the early days!
Have fun!
 
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