I’ve fallen out with my house tonight ..

[hock]

And I feel miserable about it!! He’s a legend, pure solid gold diamond which makes it worse. Bad schooling session and he became strong and usually I just work through it but today I got annoyed with him. As we’ve been doing harder work we’re suddenly being challenged and him being strong is part of him strengthening so I expect it. But I just feel crap as today he was running through my hand and I felt for the first time ever he wasn’t listening to me, and I felt at one point I was pulling his back teeth out. So I got off tightened up his drop which is very very loose and he suddenly he turns light in front and supple and just there! I don’t want to have to tighten stuff to get him to go well though!! I don’t feel happy with my riding today, it doesn’t matter that he came sweet I am savage with myself. Sorry for the rant, I just needed to tell people that might have been there rather than my husband rolling his eyes as I maybe tempted to poke him in it. Feel free to ignore .

 

[AmyMay]

Why are you riding him in a drop noseband?

 

[ycbm]

Why are you riding a house? (See title)

 

[ycbm]

And I feel miserable about it!! He’s a legend, pure solid gold diamond which makes it worse. Bad schooling session and he became strong and usually I just work through it but today I got annoyed with him. As we’ve been doing harder work we’re suddenly being challenged and him being strong is part of him strengthening so I expect it. But I just feel crap as today he was running through my hand and I felt for the first time ever he wasn’t listening to me, and I felt at one point I was pulling his back teeth out. So I got off tightened up his drop which is very very loose and he suddenly he turns light in front and supple and just there! I don’t want to have to tighten stuff to get him to go well though!! I don’t feel happy with my riding today, it doesn’t matter that he came sweet I am savage with myself. Sorry for the rant, I just needed to tell people that might have been there rather than my husband rolling his eyes as I maybe tempted to poke him in it. Feel free to ignore .

I like that you're cross you had to do this. Been there, done that. The challenge now is to work out why it worked and try and find another way. Have you got a trainer you trust to ask?

 

[hock]

Why are you riding him in a drop noseband?

He was in a cavesson until about 2 years ago and I was convinced by my trainer to try him in one. And although it isn’t tight it does stabilise his bit which a big change to his way of going. He’d been in a cavesson all his life and just a French link (and still is) so I was surprised with the improvement.

 

[hock]

Why are you riding a house? (See title)

Why am I such a twat don’t answer that

 

[poiuytrewq]

Don’t be too hard on yourself. Everyone has bad days.
Not ideal but it happens.

 

[AmyMay]

He was in a cavesson until about 2 years ago and I was convinced by my trainer to try him in one. And although it isn’t tight it does stabilise his bit which a big change to his way of going. He’d been in a cavesson all his life and just a French link (and still is) so I was surprised with the improvement.

Exactly, but you had it loose. Tightening up a little sounds as if it did what it was supposed to do - stabilise his bit even more

 

[hock]

I like that you're cross you had to do this. Been there, done that. The challenge now is to work out why it worked and try and find another way. Have you got a trainer you trust to ask?

Yer I do and luckily I recorded it. I’m pretty certain I hadn’t stretched him enough before canter and doing up the noseband forced him not to lean but to carry himself. So 100% my fault of course and the noseband will be going back to its usual spot and I will be more patient which I usually am. I just hate falling out with him!

 

[hock]

Exactly, but you had it loose. Tightening up a little sounds as if it did what it was supposed to do - stabilise his bit even more

You’re being very kind but I feel as though I’ve cut out a step by doing it and would rather he strengthened which he will do and then be lighter in front. I’m going to go and give him a couple of bananas in a minute as a peace offering

 

[hock]

Don’t be too hard on yourself. Everyone has bad days.
Not ideal but it happens.

I think I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself over regionals. I’m going to take him for an adventure once we’ve competed. We’re going to let our hair down and be wild for a bit!

 

[Goldenstar]

Everybody who has trained horses or should I say learnt to train horses and we never stop learning how to train ever it’s a job that’s never ever finished, has had bad days.
I can think of one session I so misjudged I still cringe inside when I think about it .
Learn from it and move on its all you can do.

 

[hock]

Cr

Everybody who has trained horses or should I say learnt to train horses and we never stop learning how to train ever it’s a job that’s never ever finished, has had bad days.
I can think of one session I so misjudged I still cringe inside when I think about it .
Learn from it and move on its all you can do.

Cringe is the right word as well! Wise words, thank you!

 

[webble]

Everybody who has trained horses or should I say learnt to train horses and we never stop learning how to train ever it’s a job that’s never ever finished, has had bad days.
I can think of one session I so misjudged I still cringe inside when I think about it .
Learn from it and move on its all you can do.

This, deep breath, tomorrow is another day

 

[Upthecreek]

You tightened the noseband, which sounds like it was too loose to do what it’s designed to do. As long as you didn’t over-tighten it to make the horse feel uncomfortable you didn’t do anything wrong. If the noseband is too loose to stabilise the bit sufficiently, what is the point of using it?

I struggle to understand why people use various items of tack and have them incorrectly fitted, which means they are totally ineffective and may as well not be used.

 

[hock]

You tightened the noseband, which sounds like it was too loose to do what it’s designed to do. As long as you didn’t over-tighten it to make the horse feel uncomfortable you didn’t do anything wrong. If the noseband is too loose to stabilise the bit sufficiently, what is the point of using it?

I struggle to understand why people use various items of tack and have them incorrectly fitted, which means they are totally ineffective and may as well not be used.

I use the noseband for stability but by tightening I’ve stopped him from leaning on me, but he’s leaning on me because the works getting harder and he’s adjusting and strengthening. So although it’s got a result it’s not a satisfactory one because it hasn’t made him stronger it’s covering up a weakness. He’s as honest as the day is long, so business as usual tomorrow.

 

[Upthecreek]

I use the noseband for stability but by tightening I’ve stopped him from leaning on me, but he’s leaning on me because the works getting harder and he’s adjusting and strengthening. So although it’s got a result it’s not a satisfactory one because it hasn’t made him stronger it’s covering up a weakness. He’s as honest as the day is long, so business as usual tomorrow.

What will you do instead to stop him leaning on you? Work him less hard? Shorten the length of the session?

 

[hock]

What will you do instead to stop him leaning on you? Work him less hard? Shorten the length of the session?

I’ll do extra warm up for sure and then do shorter bursts of the intense work with longer stretches in between during the session. And manage my own expectations better .

 

[Cragrat]

I once did similar - I got so annoyed that he was opening his mouth and evading, so tightened his normally extremely loose ( loose enough to get 3 fingers in and to easily graze) noseband by 1 single hole. He told me in no uncertain terms to 'get lost ' - threatening to rear etc. I loosened the noseband a hole again, and had strong words with myself. Went for a fun hack to apologise to him, and schooled the next day with a better attitude ( from myself).

But as Goldenstar said, I cringe everytime I think of it.

Part of learning is making mistakes - and not everyne is able to recgnise or admit when they make a mistake, so you are doing well!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Hey we have all been there don't beat yourself up.

Just an idea if your horse likes a more stable bit hanging cheek or fixed ring snaffles will do that, my Arabi is awful in a loose ring not strong at all but just doesn't stay consistent and he won't have a drop or flash, I ride him in a hanging cheek barrel bit which he loves he also goes well in a hanging cheek sweet iron lozenge snaffle.

Just a thought it might be worth trying other bits.

 

[Annagain]

If the worst thing you do to your horse is tighten a noseband, I think you'll be doing pretty well.

I agree with pinkvboots though, if he likes a stable bit, a hanging cheek might well suit him. Mine was (when he was in work and not just a giant white lawnmower) so much happier in it than anything else. He also liked the micklem bridle. I also had the noseband done up pretty loosely as, apart from not wanting to do it up any more tightly, it rubbed him if it was tight. My instructor always said that she didn't necessarily believe the anatomical claims made by the manufacturers of the micklem but that horses who liked it, liked it because it holds the bit very still. It was definitely the case with Archie.

 

[hock]

I once did similar - I got so annoyed that he was opening his mouth and evading, so tightened his normally extremely loose ( loose enough to get 3 fingers in and to easily graze) noseband by 1 single hole. He told me in no uncertain terms to 'get lost ' - threatening to rear etc. I loosened the noseband a hole again, and had strong words with myself. Went for a fun hack to apologise to him, and schooled the next day with a better attitude ( from myself).

But as Goldenstar said, I cringe everytime I think of it.

Part of learning is making mistakes - and not everyne is able to recgnise or admit when they make a mistake, so you are doing well!

Thank you I wish I’d hacked, next time for sure! He’s had a day off today and we’re hacking until next week. I have to force myself to hack, I’m a school a holic bit more hacking required!

 

[IrishMilo]

We all have bad days. Horse will have forgotten it already. If I ever feel myself getting irritated I simply get off and try another day now.

 

[hock]

Hey we have all been there don't beat yourself up.

Just an idea if your horse likes a more stable bit hanging cheek or fixed ring snaffles will do that, my Arabi is awful in a loose ring not strong at all but just doesn't stay consistent and he won't have a drop or flash, I ride him in a hanging cheek barrel bit which he loves he also goes well in a hanging cheek sweet iron lozenge snaffle.

Just a thought it might be worth trying other bits.

I didn’t know he liked the stability until we tried it, I got lucky . But stability is something I give much more thought to with the babies.

He has a tendency to drop btv (although and I never thought I’d say this I think we’re getting passed this now) so stayed away from anything poll ish. I put him in a sprenger loose ring duo briefly which had also helped with btv but is normally in a neue schuel verbindend (French link in my book). I do have a myler hanging cheek but my concern is the slight poll pressure bringing him too deep, but it can’t hurt to try cheers!

 

[hock]

We all have bad days. Horse will have forgotten it already. If I ever feel myself getting irritated I simply get off and try another day now.

Yes he’s spent all morning shouting to me as it’s farrier day and I do him last, so I think he’s let it go .

 

[hock]

If the worst thing you do to your horse is tighten a noseband, I think you'll be doing pretty well.

I agree with pinkvboots though, if he likes a stable bit, a hanging cheek might well suit him. Mine was (when he was in work and not just a giant white lawnmower) so much happier in it than anything else. He also liked the micklem bridle. I also had the noseband done up pretty loosely as, apart from not wanting to do it up any more tightly, it rubbed him if it was tight. My instructor always said that she didn't necessarily believe the anatomical claims made by the manufacturers of the micklem but that horses who liked it, liked it because it holds the bit very still. It was definitely the case with Archie.

A giant white lawn mower made me laugh!! Very close to home atm as I think I’m about to down grade a horse to the mowing team. If I don’t laugh I will cry !!

He’s in a Fairfax bridle and I really like them but was in a cavesson until my trainer convinced me to try it. I used to be very anti anything but a cavesson and a snaffle but the stability benefits quickly got me over that!

 

[Slightlyconfused]

You’re being very kind but I feel as though I’ve cut out a step by doing it and would rather he strengthened which he will do and then be lighter in front. I’m going to go and give him a couple of bananas in a minute as a peace offering

Have you had a bit fitter out? If not would highly recommend someone from Horse Bit Fit.

Will look at your bit and bridle fit etc and you might find you dont need the drop to stablise the bit anymore.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

I didn’t know he liked the stability until we tried it, I got lucky . But stability is something I give much more thought to with the babies.

He has a tendency to drop btv (although and I never thought I’d say this I think we’re getting passed this now) so stayed away from anything poll ish. I put him in a sprenger loose ring duo briefly which had also helped with btv but is normally in a neue schuel verbindend (French link in my book). I do have a myler hanging cheek but my concern is the slight poll pressure bringing him too deep, but it can’t hurt to try cheers!

Mine can drop btv and we had a bit fitter out and we are now in a NS Team Up. And he goes lovely in it. He only goea btv when i am in the wrong now and have unbalanced him

 

[hock]

Mine can drop btv and we had a bit fitter out and we are now in a NS Team Up. And he goes lovely in it. He only goea btv when i am in the wrong now and have unbalanced him

I’ve never done a bitting clinic my bridle was fitted for him but I am on the list for Hillary Vernon. I’m absolutely haemorrhaging money with these horses at the moment but I am looking forward to the biting clinic.

 

[hock]

Mine can drop btv and we had a bit fitter out and we are now in a NS Team Up. And he goes lovely in it. He only goea btv when i am in the wrong now and have unbalanced him

Shoulder fore is my magic weapon against btv and riding with hands very close together with knuckles on top. But I am also going to go and Google that bit, cheers!