Guess the breed!

[Theresa_F]

Nice little mare and a lot of welsh. She looks very much like a 3/4 section D, 1/4 TB I used to ride years ago.

My chap at that age (he is a big strong gypsy cob) only had a peanut link bit in, but I spent a very very long time on the basics, halt and steering in the school so he stopped on a squeeze of the hand, and then only hacked out in walk with a few trots. He did not canter out until rising 4 and fairly well schooled in the art of stop.

He is now rising 5 and last month has started to wear a rubber pelham with two reins for showing but still does most of his schooling in a french link hanging cheek.

If you really do need that bit, please as others have said, put a rein on the large ring and only use the second rein/ring as backup if you really cannot stop her.

A bit of time now spent schooling and using a softer bit will give you huge benefits long term.

 

[Fizzimyst]

We had a mare that had been ridden in a gag, because apparently she bolted. That came straight out and still the tiniest bit of pressure on the reins would have her up in the air.....very sad

 

[perryhillbay]

Can I just say, I think you are all being a bit harsh on amycov!! Come on, we're all supposed to be friends here and offer each other useful advice, not criticise and make people feel bad...

Pinkweasel in particular, there is no need to be nasty.

No-one on here knows what the rider is like, she may be very gentle with her hands and only use the full effect of the gag when she needs to. Also, the pony has a thick little neck which would may mean it is difficult to get her to bend and then she can set all of that muscle against you which I can understand may be worrying, particularly if she is bolting because of fear over something she has seen. The most dangerous horses in my experience are the ones that are scared of something as they can be totally irrational!

And anyway, the question is regarding the horse's breeding, not "everyone please pick holes in the tack my horse wears, the bit she goes on, the rider's weight, the rider's position".

In terms of the breeding of the pony, a bit of everything I would say - but as long as you love her, it doesn't really matter! I know it's nice to know though, I spend hours scouring the internet for information on the partentage of my horse

)

 

[SirenaXVI]

Sorry but I completely disagree with you. The OP's feelings come second in this, people are not criticising the tack because of what it looks like, it's because it is a) very harsh b) being used incorrectly by a novice and c) the horse is not yet 4. Sorry but this young horse will end up at best with a mouth like iron, I hate damn gags anyway, they are the invention of the devil and this instance is the very reason I hate them. Rather than school a problem out, inexperienced people think they can just buy some stronger bit.

People have not criticised for the sake of it you know, they have criticised for the sake of the poor young pony.

 

[pinkcatkin]

I wasn't being nasty actually, I was just being blunt, and trying to get OP to take some notice. I would have thought that with 99% of replies urging her to take a careful look at how she is treating this youngster, she would have realised that she must be doing something wrong. Instead she quibbles.

I rest my case. Actually I do have sympathy for her. She posted this as a light hearted thread for people to have a bash at the breeding of her horse and she has been criticised roundly. Sorry, but that is what happens on an open forum where people are free to say what they like. If the future of a young horse is compromised I, and probably many others, will feel they must say something.

 

[amycov]

Okay. I'm not sure where to begin! I do appreciate all of the advice, all I was saying is that some people are a little more harsh than others, and they don't really need to be when it can be done in a nicer way.
I have taken on board a lot of the advice. She no longer bolts, and has improved massively as we have worked with schooling her, yet as we do not have an arena and she doesn't like being boxed we cannot take her to one either. So we have done the best we can with the weather and ground conditions. The comments have actually made me think lots and realise actually how much she has improved! As we had her in a full cheek snaffle before which didn't do much good, and she no longer needs the gag, I'm going to try her in a hanging cheek french link snaffle.
Also nobody heavier than 11 stone has ridden her, and as she is a 14.2hh stocky pony she is capable of carrying this weight. Believe me if she was appearing to be struggling or having problems with her back then we would not continue riding her due to our weight.
Also in the picture that is not the riders true position as she was just posing for the pic and not schooling...
I don't think there is alot more to say on the issue apart from that I have taken in the information given to me, I am going to buy her a new bit tomorrow, and I will let you know how she gets on!
So lets all have a glass of wine and be friends?