First hack on Andy and a stupid question...

[Kokopelli]

I thought only the first sentence was really about you Koko, which is OK? The rest I took as Bruce going off on a general rant. You've already said your instructor isn't keen on flash nosebands.

Wasn't sure if it was based at me or not. If hes just going of on a rant then I do agree with him about the way some people treat their horses

 

[brucea]

General rant! I do it sometimes, I think it is an age thing. Doing it more often these days.

The last 3 yards I've been on were big busy yards where we saw lots of instructors and lots of riders and very few combinations that actually worked. Too many horses toiling round the school getting increasingly naughty because they were hauled in a the head and getting sore mouths and stressed through the neck and back - all in pursuit of this thing called an "outline". And to make it worse the instructors were encouraging the riders in demanding even more - Oh...and when you're not riding him then strap him down in one of these damn Pessoa things so he can spend even more time with his nose cranked down into his chest

If you can;t get a proper outline then a) you aren't pulling hard enough b) you don't kick hard enough so wear spurs c) you don't have enough straps and side reins and maybe d) you need a bigger bit with more leverage!!!!!

And the poor bloody horse gets sorer and more unsound as weeks go on.....

Sorry - I've done it again...started generally ranting.