Now we are thinking about flash straps ....

M

Moobucket

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 October 2011
Messages
368
Visit site
My instructor is always telling me to put one on my cob and I am always resisting. He's a big chunky 15.2 cob and he's 15 ish but never been properly schooled (i've had him just under a year). I know he finds it difficult to flex, he doesn't enjoy cantering in the school and usually favours the wrong leg on the right reign although he has been known to do a flying change.

My thinking is that he doesn't really understand what he's being asked to do and its hard for him. As a consequence of this he opens his mouth, and is "naughty" trying to evade the bit. I want to carry on schooling him to work on this problem and not put a flash on. What would you do? What schooling tips would you use to get him working properly and convince my instructor not to want a flash?
 
First of all, this is your horse we're talking about, not your instructors. Regardless of what your instructor wants, it's your decision.

A flash won't fix the problem, it'll just mask it.

I'd recommend loads of transitions from trot to canter on the rein he finds the hardest. If he picks up the wrong lead, bring him back to trot then ask again.

These things just take time :)
 
If my instructor had recommended it I'd try the flash. I am quite anti-gadget but there is a place for everything and sometimes it is what's needed.

If you don't trust your instructors opinion, change instructor.

But I agree with goldenstar.

:)
 
Personally, I'd try a drop. And in all honesty, a new instructor. She may have seen him, but if her/his response to a horse that just doesn't understand is strapping its mouth shut, as opposed to looking at why he evades then I would have doubts about their philosophy being the same as my own.
 
You can easily take it off again if he doesnt like it. If you trust your instructors judgement and training methods then I'd try it, he may only need it for a few sessions to show him its best not to evade that way. But ultimatly if you dont want to and want to work him through it another way then dont put one on him.
 
The flash will be, as said already, a good 'quick fix', but what it categorically will not do is help him become more balanced, and so able to work without opening his mouth.
He is an older horse, chunky and so more than likely finds schooling hard for his age and type, especially as he hasn't done much before! Lots of transitions are the way forwards, not clamping his gob closed - he will only find another way to resist, and end up with a sore jaw/neck/back. Patience, patience, transitions and more patience!
 
KentOsteo said:
The flash will be, as said already, a good 'quick fix', but what it categorically will not do is help him become more balanced, and so able to work without opening his mouth.
He is an older horse, chunky and so more than likely finds schooling hard for his age and type, especially as he hasn't done much before! Lots of transitions are the way forwards, not clamping his gob closed - he will only find another way to resist, and end up with a sore jaw/neck/back. Patience, patience, transitions and more patience!
Click to expand...

I agree 100% with this ^^^^^
 
When will ''instructors'' learn that adding tack does not make up for the necessary schooling which is obviously missing in these cases *bangs head on wall*:mad:

You are obviously trying to do things above the horses education. He doesnt understand what is being asked from the sounds of it, or is physically not in a position to achive it. Strapping his mouth shut is NOT going to magically fix this. In fact it will make it harder for him to relax his jaw and therefore his poll and dorsal muscle so flexing will become even harder.

To me you need to begin at the beginning with flexions, bitting and lots of walk, trot, rein back transitions and a new instructor!
 
KentOsteo said:
The flash will be, as said already, a good 'quick fix', but what it categorically will not do is help him become more balanced, and so able to work without opening his mouth.
He is an older horse, chunky and so more than likely finds schooling hard for his age and type, especially as he hasn't done much before! Lots of transitions are the way forwards, not clamping his gob closed - he will only find another way to resist, and end up with a sore jaw/neck/back. Patience, patience, transitions and more patience!
Click to expand...

This is what I think!!! :D Also I don't think putting a flash on him is going to help him 'enjoy schooling' any more. To me, the fact that he will go along happily for a little while and then will start to evade is a sign that he's starting to find it hard and I need to build up his stamina. He's initially willing and happy but then it gets more complex.

From my perspective he's never going to be a dressage horse and I ride him out on cross country/endurance courses with no bother without a flash. I'd like to be able to build up his confidence and strength so he didn't need to evade more.

I feel its an issue of patience with my instructor. I've worked with him when he used to nap repeatedly back and forth across the school so I feel that if I can solve that I should be able to solve this. I'm gonna try the transitions and more regular but short bursts of schooling to see if I can crack it. He's also very cheeky when he finds it hard (i.e cantering at the fence of the school) so I think if he does feel tied down and in pain it'll come out as serious bad manners because that is the only way he can express himself.

Slowly slowly catchy monkey.
 
If you have to use anything use a DROP....it is far kinder and only works when really needed. True it has to be done up properly but most horses, particularly cobs seem happier in a drop. A flash is a modern gadget used for a quick fix.
 
Well isn't he lucky to have such a wonderful owner as you!! Little and often, as you said is the key. Its a bit like if a person has never done a certain activity before - think yoga/pilates, in the early days they are stiff as a board/unbalanced, but with practice will become flexible, and can balance and can even end up doing things like balancing on their head while eating a banana with their toes (don't try and get the neddy to do that) :-D
 
Moobucket said:
This is what I think!!! :D Also I don't think putting a flash on him is going to help him 'enjoy schooling' any more. To me, the fact that he will go along happily for a little while and then will start to evade is a sign that he's starting to find it hard and I need to build up his stamina. He's initially willing and happy but then it gets more complex.

From my perspective he's never going to be a dressage horse and I ride him out on cross country/endurance courses with no bother without a flash. I'd like to be able to build up his confidence and strength so he didn't need to evade more.

I feel its an issue of patience with my instructor. I've worked with him when he used to nap repeatedly back and forth across the school so I feel that if I can solve that I should be able to solve this. I'm gonna try the transitions and more regular but short bursts of schooling to see if I can crack it. He's also very cheeky when he finds it hard (i.e cantering at the fence of the school) so I think if he does feel tied down and in pain it'll come out as serious bad manners because that is the only way he can express himself.
Slowly slowly catchy monkey.
Click to expand...

Why do you think a correctly fitted flash strap will cause pain ?
This is a conversation you should be having with your intructor , perhaps if you respect their view so little it's time to save the money and teach yourself.
 
If you'd bothered to read my original post I said that I was interested in hearing other peoples opinions on schooling tips that would help me in my cause to not need a flash strap.

To say, ask your instructor isn't particularly helpful as we all know that my instructor says use a flash strap. I don't agree with her. Not because I think she's a bad instructor, or a bad human being, just because she has a different opinion from my own, and I'd like to try and solve the issue without a 'fix' but with better training hence my asking on here where I assume there are some schooling experts.

I think a flash would cause pain, not directly but in the manner detailed above, with pressure then being transferred to his neck and his back as he tried to evade in other ways. What worries me is how does a horse tell you he's in pain if you've blocked off his ways of communicating?

Are you aware that you come across rather rudely?
 
TigerTail said:
When will ''instructors'' learn that adding tack does not make up for the necessary schooling which is obviously missing in these cases *bangs head on wall*:mad:
Click to expand...

Thanks for lumping us all together in a HUGE generalisation!!

I have never told any client of mine to put a flash on their horse. Oh and I'm BHS qualified as I know how people love to bash them too!! The only tack I think have ever recommended changing is possibly a bit. Not stronger, just a different action etc.

I do however have a loosely fitted flash on my young mare. She is prone to having tantrums. She can open her mouth, but having it fitted fairly loosely I find can just prevent it going too far. I dislike them being done up tightly however as it can create tension.
 
Moobucket said:
If you'd bothered to read my original post I said that I was interested in hearing other peoples opinions on schooling tips that would help me in my cause to not need a flash strap.

To say, ask your instructor isn't particularly helpful as we all know that my instructor says use a flash strap. I don't agree with her. Not because I think she's a bad instructor, or a bad human being, just because she has a different opinion from my own, and I'd like to try and solve the issue without a 'fix' but with better training hence my asking on here where I assume there are some schooling experts.

I think a flash would cause pain, not directly but in the manner detailed above, with pressure then being transferred to his neck and his back as he tried to evade in other ways. What worries me is how does a horse tell you he's in pain if you've blocked off his ways of communicating?

Are you aware that you come across rather rudely?
Click to expand...

It was not my intention to be rude but as I said in my first post your intructor has seen your horse trying a flash in a lesson will cause pain to or harm your horse .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top