POLLDARK
Well-Known Member
I think life is too short to get upset over a 5 point Breast plate ect & I would much rather see a "harsh" bit used gently than a "gentle" bit being used harshly..
Totally agree with this.
I think life is too short to get upset over a 5 point Breast plate ect & I would much rather see a "harsh" bit used gently than a "gentle" bit being used harshly..
eh? Do you mean a dutch gag with one rein on the bottom ring???My old boy (36) is still ridden in a continental snaffle on the pelham rein
Well if you are a novice it would be sensible to find an instructor, so that you can learn for the benefit of your horse. But even if you can't have lessons you can read books from the library, that was how I learnt the proper names for bits and nosebands and how they work. Once you understand the action of the various bits of kit you can make an informed choice.I totally agree, but, as a novice, if you don't have an instructor where are you meant to learn about what tacks best?
I do think that a lot of our top riders have a lot to answer for - lots of numpties like to buy "mark todd" or "Ollie T" etc. (I was going to say a lot of kids, but know quite a few grown up people that are "monkey see, monkey want"). Obvioulsy people are going to copy them to some extent, but to actually give them something to buy just because they will is not setting a good example.
I have always wondered why a snaffle is the be all and end all bit. I'm am AI, and perfectly aware of the way it acts etc, but I still can't endorse that it is the perfect bit for every horse and that every horse should be in one. I would rather see a horse going quietly and in comfort in a harsher bit/noseband than fighting a snaffle...
Must say if its not on my horse then what others choose to use isnt really my concern. Im pretty sure most of them think they need it for their own reasons.
The only thing that really gets my back up is uneducated folks with gags in their horses mouths and spurs on their boots, mainly see this on sj kids.
I can't see why it is a problem putting a breastplate on, it won't effect the horse what I don't like is tieing heads down/strapping mouths shut for the sake of it.
When we got D he came in a 3 ring gag on the bottom ring with a grakle on as tight as you could do it up and a very tight standing martingale (because he threw his head up dangerously). Tried him in the field and it was the bit making him throw his head. Put a loose cavesson on, a plain snaffle and a running martingale and have never looked back (I would go as far to say that overbitting him/tying his head down/ strapping mouth shut scared him )
Life is too short to worry about what other people are doing. I for one.....brick-wall ANYONE who thinks 'they know best'....
Let them buy what they want, and don't lose sleep over what others are doing...sure, the horse might not need it, but it's not your horse, and quite frankly, has nothing to do with you.
Am I being blunt? Of course I am, because this is the problem with the horsey world today. Too many people have too many opinions on what others are doing, THIS I think you will find....it the catalyst that causes the politics in livery yards, shows and even hacking down the road....because we ALL think we know better, and actually, about 80-odd % of us.....don't.
So enjoy your horse, and sod what other people are doing with theirs. If they are blantantly abusing their horse, then of course, you have the right to intervene and ensure said animal is kept safe. If you are worrying over a bit, then let it slide.
Life is too short to worry about what other people are doing. I for one.....brick-wall ANYONE who thinks 'they know best'....
Let them buy what they want, and don't lose sleep over what others are doing...sure, the horse might not need it, but it's not your horse, and quite frankly, has nothing to do with you.
Am I being blunt? Of course I am, because this is the problem with the horsey world today. Too many people have too many opinions on what others are doing, THIS I think you will find....it the catalyst that causes the politics in livery yards, shows and even hacking down the road....because we ALL think we know better, and actually, about 80-odd % of us.....don't.
So enjoy your horse, and sod what other people are doing with theirs. If they are blantantly abusing their horse, then of course, you have the right to intervene and ensure said animal is kept safe. If you are worrying over a bit, then let it slide.
Im with you there.
Theres a girl at my yard and her horse wears a fly veil, tom thumb, grackle (not even fitted properly) boots and overreach boots(It doesnt overreach?), Breastplate and Jumping saddle that doesnt fit (it does have a saddle that fits!) Just because it looks "pretty"
In actual fact she looks like a nob because she takes it clear round in all its "pro" gear, and it knocks down every fence.
Though on the mark todd, ollie t comment, i really rate mark todd gear and think it looks nice and it practical and hardwearing, and i do have an ollie t jacket which is very well made and nice to ride in!
Are you a qualified saddle-fitter? Jumping saddles CAN look like they don't fit, due to their cut..... Do you watch the horse EVERYTIME it is out? How do YOU know it 'doesn't over-reach'...it might might do it once in a blue moon and better to be protected than not at all.......? Unfortunately, it is people with your attitude that cause grief for people who are just trying to enjoy their horses. If this girl enjoys her horse, and who cares if it knocks down every jump....if she is happy doing it, leave her be and stop calling her names!
My horse wears a fly veil (yes it may be green and match my saddlecloth making it look pretty, but it also serves a function, stopping his head shaking and blocking some crowd noise), figure of 8 bridle (again, it might be 'fashionable' currently, but also serves a purpose, not impeding his breathing and stopping him crossing his jaw) boots and over reach boots plus a stud girth (he may not look like he needs them because he is getting more careful, but I'm not taking the risk of him getting excited and damaging himself).Im with you there.
Theres a girl at my yard and her horse wears a fly veil, tom thumb, grackle (not even fitted properly) boots and overreach boots(It doesnt overreach?), Breastplate and Jumping saddle that doesnt fit (it does have a saddle that fits!) Just because it looks "pretty"
I totally agree, but, as a novice, if you don't have an instructor where are you meant to learn about what tacks best?
i hate when you see people riding in too strong bits, or everything they can fit on their horses.
but i seem to be seeing more and more people using martigales on their horses that would never ever have an affect on the horse because they are sooooo loose, i dont see why you would bother??
Dragonslayer you talk ALOT of sense
its annoys me when they have huge gadgets in their gob!
Mine just have simple snaffle, simple bridle, simple saddle and numnah, they both wear ww brusing boots all round and the mare wears over reach boots. The tb wears a running martingale. I have an elastic strap for the mare to stop the saddle slipping back but since changing saddle i dont need it so use it as a neck strap at the mo.
I haven't read all the replies, but it made me chuckle when I read the post because last night I went to an unaffiliated SJ comp with a friend (I was doing the box driving, she was doing the riding). I was horrified at some of the stuff I saw. Nearly every horse ridden by anyone between the age of 16 and 30 was in a gag with a grackle noseband. BUT - hardly any of these horses were even going forwards enough - so what do the riders do? Stick their spurs in the horses sides and whack it with their stick, at the same time as pulling it in the mouth..... WTF??
I get the impression that some of these young riders watch a bit too much professional SJ on the TV, where the riders know what they're doing and why they're doing it, and try to imitate them, but with rather less finesse and with absolutely no idea of how the equipment actually affects their horse...
We use essential cookies to make this site work, and optional cookies to enhance your experience.