I’ve fallen out with my house tonight ..

Ceriann · 13 July 2023

We all have bad days and sessions that are frustrating - I know not one of us wants to be anything other than patient and forgiving in the saddle but sometimes it goes wrong. It hasn’t gone that wrong for you and I think you’re being incredibly hard on yourself. I have my newbie in a drop and loose ring snaffle - she was in a grackle but with chin strap very tight in her previous home. I won’t tighten mine like that and am trying to work out what she goes well in - this means I get some decent chomping on the bit unless she’s working in a focussed and forward way. I’ve gone one up on chin strap but still not tight but I am also going to try my Hillary v eggbutt snaffle to see if that helps. My other mare is in the fair fax grackle and goes well in that with chin strap pretty loose too. Keep trying different options.

Red-1 · 13 July 2023

I too think you are over thinking it. Something wasn't working and you tried something else, which did work. Now you are stepping back and assessing what you did or didn't like about what you did, what advantages there were and how you could better produce them.

Sounds like you are a kind and thinking rider to me!

FWIW, I jump mine in a Kimblewick. The same mouthpiece as his snaffle, just a cavesson and no martingale. He schools, hacks and does a bit of jumping when hacking in a snaffle, but that is stop start, so hacking, popping a few fences and then stopping, all fine in a snaffle. When he is cantering on and doing, as in more than a few fences, he can get a bit on his shoulders and heavy. He finds keeping his balance difficult and he finds it easier to lean. The Kimblewick just helps me to explain what I want, without hauling on the rein. Is it correct? Not really. Do I think we are both off out having fun, yes. Is there a slower way in a snaffle, yes. Do I think the Kimblewick will be forever, no.

I'm sure a different rider wouldn't need it. I'm sure if I took longer with schooling on the flat and on slopes, before jumping, it wouldn't be needed. I'm happy with that compromise though.

nagblagger · 13 July 2023