eeek - may not be able to do dressage - can't ride with snaffle!!

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bex1984

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Ok, following my posts earlier today I decided to take the plunge and switch Murphy from his pelham to a full cheek single jointed snaffle (I rode him in this bit when I first got him).

Disaster.

He fought me constantly, looked uncomfortable, kept opening his mouth, was snatching at the reins and flatly refused to even try to work in an outline (which he can do for short little bursts in the pelham).

In trot, he braced his tanking-off muscle and charged roiund like a nutter, he ran into canter, and canter was totally out of control, motorbiking round the corners, trying to pull me towards the gate - just chaos!! I couldn't do any more than walk for about 10 mins at one point because someone was sat on their horse by the gate chatting - and I knew exactly where we'd end up - screeching to a halt up it's backside.

I feel like a total failure. How am I going to manage a walk and trot test?

All this time I thought my apalling riding and Murphy's schooling had got a teensy, tiny bit better, but no...put us in a snaffle and we're totally useless.

I am soo p*ssed off with myself for being so rubbish
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Well if it makes you feel a little bit better Im showing my mare next month- shes never been schooled in her life-wouldnt know what an outline was if it hit her in the face- and I have no school to even attempt to practice in. Now either Im gona make a complete fool of myself or Im gona wimp out. Im thinking wimp out!
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How about trying to get hold of a hanging cheek snaffle? (check its dressage legal first) 0- thats the nearest I can think of to a pelham?

Don't give up x
 
Well, I can think of two options - first experiment with different snaffles to see if you can find one he likes. Some horses dislike a single jointed snaffle, so perhaps a french link might be a good choice. Also a hanging cheek snaffle can give a bit more control than a normal one, so perhaps you should try and borrow a hanging cheek french link snaffle and try him in that.

Alternatively, ring the organisers and explain your problem, and ask whether you can compete 'hors concours' in the pelham. It does mean that you won't be eligible for a rosette, but presume that you are doing this more for experience than prizes!
 
You say he was opening his mouth! You could try a flash nose band. Ralph was in a huge fat hollow mouth snaffle when I first got him at 4 and kept getting his tongue over the bit and was really unhappy in his mouth, so I changed him over to a french link as I prefer them and applied a flash. Seven years later.....in a KK and flash still happy as larry even with his wolf teeth
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Maybe copper rollers? ( I think they are dressage legal, but you had better check). From what people have told me they can't get hold of that and it encourages them to mouth ie because of the copper. As for the charging off in a trot, just keep rising
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Pick a rhythm in your head and say it out loud (one two one two, or someone on the ground to say it etc). I use to ride a carriage horse that used to bomb off and thats what worked for him, instead of just trying to hang onto him, I find that they just fight more if you just cling to the reins.
 
I might stick a note up on the board at the yard asking if anyone has snaffles I could borrow to try out. Am totally skint this month so can't buy any new bits. I know he's not keen on single jointed bits, but that's all I have in terms of snaffles, and I'm a bit concerned if I went for a straight forward straight bar he'd find it too easy to set his neck and go.

The way we were tonight it would be dangerous to do a dressage test
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We'd cause such chaos in the warm up.

I just feel like such a useless blo**dy cr*p rider
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I mean, I know I'm a novice numpty but you'd think I might be able to manage to walk and trot my own ponio without having to use a pelham
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He doesn't really get on with a flash, just seems to make him fuss more. He doesn't open his mouth at all in the pelham.

I have a cherry roller that might be OK but I don't think I can use that? Plus - the last time I used that he cantered out of the school...ooops!!
 
Don't be so silly. You have a lovely position in your signature pics so you can't be all bad!!
 
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Alternatively, ring the organisers and explain your problem, and ask whether you can compete 'hors concours' in the pelham. It does mean that you won't be eligible for a rosette, but presume that you are doing this more for experience than prizes!

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If all else fails, I might do that. Although part of me thinks I'm never going to be able to do it, so what would be the point in getting the experience?!
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Doing a walk and trot test is one of the goals I've set myself for this year and I'm a bit gutted that it doesn't look like I'll be able to do it.
 
What about a wilkie type?? and hanging cheek or waterford- are they dressage legal??

Showjumping pony I used ot ride had the option of vulcanite pelham or hanging cheek waterford. Had pelham for jumping and waterford for flat which worked fabby for us
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Don't be so silly. You have a lovely position in your signature pics so you can't be all bad!!

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Agreed
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, you just need some help, have you considered having lessons in a snaffle? See what an instructor thinks, maybe then can give you some pointers on how to ride him in the snaffle, what to do if you feel him tense etc, and they can give you some bit tips that are legal for the dressage test?

Just a suggestion
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Bex...

A) there is nothing wrong with your riding so stop putting yourself down!
B) You could do the test in the cherry roller (which I think it is)- even if it isn't DR legal, who's going to check? Worst case scenario, you get disqualified...oops..I didn't know...;)
C) I might have some bits you could try - with french link joints.

There...panic over - have you learnt the test yet?
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are waterfords dressage legal?

Would love to have more lessons, but I'm a bit skint at the mo. My work pay for about 7 lessons a year for me, but have only got two left netween now and July!!

Will have a look at the shop4bits site. He's a 6". Is it possible to get a straight bar hanging cheek?

I think someone else at the yard is relying on me to go with her to the show in a few weeks time, so I can't let her down, I have to do something.
 
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are waterfords dressage legal?

Would love to have more lessons, but I'm a bit skint at the mo. My work pay for about 7 lessons a year for me, but have only got two left netween now and July!!

Will have a look at the shop4bits site. He's a 6". Is it possible to get a straight bar hanging cheek?

I think someone else at the yard is relying on me to go with her to the show in a few weeks time, so I can't let her down, I have to do something.

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It's snaffles I'm afraid for the level you'll be competing in.
 
I've just put Bear in a waterford and he's going really well in it, I was wondering the other day if I could show in it? its just a loose ring 1 ive got ATM.
 
argh! Damned dressage!!

Might try the cherry roller again - but the whole flat out cantering from one of school to the other and right out thing from last time I used it does worry me slightly.

Will put a note up at yard asking if anyone has a straight bar snaffle or straight bar/french link hanging cheek. My guess is that perhaps half the problem is the fact that he's not comfortable with a single joint bit, so is fighting it and not listening to it.

It's just his bl**dy giant neck is so damn strong!!! But I was out galloping him in the weekend in the pelham with no problems.
 
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There...panic over - have you learnt the test yet?
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I have I learnt the what?!
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Well...no. I haven't even seen it yet. I suspect it's going to involve circles. Could be a challenge...
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He's a 6".

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PM me your address, as I'm 99% sure my frencklink hanging cheek is 6", so could check size & post it to you to try on Friday, if that's any help.
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Is it possible to get a straight bar hanging cheek?

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Yes - http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=153_190&products_id=1618

N.B. Must not have a port as then will not be dressage legal, but ablve bit is legal.
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Thanks for the link, something like that might do. How much poll pressure is it in comparison to the good ol' pelham?

Somebody please tell me I can do local showing and mini clear round jumping in a pelham?!
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