Musing on emergency brakes XC

[vhf]

Just had lovely first season on my RC level mare. Going nicely (after much experimenting) in a verbindend and cavesson noseband.
However, although she's generally got excellent manners, mouth and brakes, now we're moving on more the XC brakes aren't great if she doesn't get why I want to slow up quick.
If she understands, she's there with a half halt and a "whoa". If not, she largely ignores me, but leans and goes wooden.
So, would you assume it'll come with training?
Try a grackle?
Or is there a bit that might suit better for fast work?
It's 20 years since I took a horse beyond its first season, so what you would be thinking in my position?!

 

[kerilli]

if she leans, i would try a waterford. it's not a harsh bit at all unless you saw with your hands, as it is mobile with lots of rounded links, so they can't lean on it at all. i've had quite a few horses really learn to respect the bit again (enough that i could go back to a snaffle permanently after 2 or 3 runs in the waterford) and only 1 that thought it was too much.

 

[vhf]

Great minds... !
I actually found the only thing she'd go happily in before the verbindend was a waterford, mostly changed to find something dressage legal. It's probably my favoured option at the moment if I change the bit, but am interested to hear other people's thoughts.
Thank you.

 

[kerilli]

oh, that's good to know.
also, what are you doing when she gets strong? i only ask because it is human nature to pull back against a pull, when actually giving with your hands and then giving a quick tug or two (while engaging with legs) often works much better to get the horse 'up', off the forehand, and listening to you. (this was something i had to be shown, but it works far better than pulling against a horse, which will usually think "great, she'll hold me up, i'll lean more, that's easier...")

 

[vhf]

She had "hold me up please" off to a fine art when I got her, mostly greenness and being built slightly downhill.
Yup, do the whole give back, regroup, half-halt routine and it does work because she doesn't mean to be rude, but she's just learnt to move on and jump on a proper XC rhythm and is keen to show her enthusiasm!
By the time manners are recalled and brakes installed, (as in last time out), we were a bit late to do anything about the local XC notion of a "skinny"... Proper skinnies we see as jumps and respectfully re-engage jumping brain, but 18" x 2'6 planks with wonky flags are obstacles to avoid - apparently. (Still kicking myself for not bringing her right back to walk further out!)
While we can practice skinnies, I still want that instant response I get the rest of the time, all the time!

 

[Kat]

Rather than a waterford a twisted snaffle might be kinder but get the same effect. They aren't all nasty sharp things like some of the pictures, I've used them on a couple of horses that lean on my instructors recommendation, the twist means that they can't get hold and lean the same as a normal snaffle.

 

[vhf]

Thank you.
Any links to examples? Never actually heard or seen any good examples of these being used except on "really naughty" horses, but open to all ideas at this stage - figure I have 6 months of musing to go yet!