Fluffy cheekpieces XC....should I try them?

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LouB

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I have an 8yr Mayhill monster who is perfectly capable in all 3 phases of eventing.

However.....everything comes quite easy to him and especially XC, he is more interested in looking at the fence judges, course walkers, dogs, trees, birds, in fact anything except the fence itself.

Consequently, he doesn't see/look at/register the fence until we are literally on top if it. This usually results in a rather 'uncomfortable' jump which generally upsets and unsettles the both of us. Rather than getting better and settling as the course progresses he almost gets worse as the 'uncomfortable' jumps seem to upset the situation further.

He is reasonably experienced enough having been competing for 4 yrs, I don't believe it to be greeness rather him being a monster, not listening to me, having too much fun and not taking anything seriously.

Any suggestions? Would cheekpieces make him focus a bit more?
Any suggestions/ideas very welcome!
Thank you!
 
I used fluffy cheek pieces with my mare for a while xc as she was far more interested and afraid of people walking the course and fence judges sat in their cars. It has made a difference to now that i can take them off and the only thing she is interested in is what is straight ahead of her which is a pleasant change. I would def give them a try, you've got nothing to loose by doing it.
I just got a fluffy noseband and chopped it in half and taa daa cheek pieces!!! Good Luck x
 
Thank you very much I will try them.

Did you find they made her sharper?

My OH who rides racing says I may want to think about extra brakes too as they can sharpen horses up a bit.
Many thanks
 
I did ride with extra brakes initially, just in case. But being honest she is a sharp horse anyway, so there was little difference so i went back to her softer bit. I used them for a whole season and have only just taken them off on the last 2 events, and found she was much more focussed on the fences.
 
I would definitely give it a go. I had problems with my lad spooking at things resulting in numerous rounds of 20 pen. I put cheekpieces on and have had clear rounds all the way - maybe coincidence but just did RC champs where they are not allowed and had worst round ever, resulting in a big fat E as he was away with the fairies!
 
Check the rules. At Hartpury this weekend I saw somebody complete all three phases only to be eliminated for incorrect tack - this reportedly being fluffy cheekpieces.
 
In R.C rules they are not allowed, but B.E they are (not dressage). W.F.P rides most of his horses with them on esp the young ones. If you find yr horse spooks then fluffy check pieces are a help and if you feel your horse needs to focus more on the job then try a fluffy on his nose band. My mare spooks and i use the fluffy on the check pieces, 50% of the time this works for us.
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Do they work on welsh spooking and nappiness, this is obviously a different type of spooking to all other breeds.
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Have been tempted to try them though.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Do they work on welsh spooking and nappiness, this is obviously a different type of spooking to all other breeds.
grin.gif
Have been tempted to try them though.

[/ QUOTE ]

Can only give them a try....
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I used them on my mare too one thing to note is in the collecting ring if a horse comes up behind she would freak out as she cant see it untill its level with her so that used to frighten her alot and make her nearly run a few folks over....!

As they are used to seeing what is approaching from behind.
 
BE Rule Book, Annex 5, "Saddlery and Equipment"....

Sheepskin (3cm max width) or any other attachment which may affect the horse’s vision:

Not allowed in dressage but allowed elsewhere (warm-up, SJ, XC, lunging). Note though, 3 cm maximum - that is not very much.
 
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