So i listened to you all...delicia is back in her snaffle!

black_horse

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I have finally bitten the bullet and taken delicia out of her double. She is now ridden in a loose ring French link snaffle, the bit she was broken in with. And how did she go I hear you ask…. Fabulous! She was pulling less and notably longer in her neck. I am thrilled to bits! (see the pun there ;) )
I have listened to a lot of the CC I was getting in regards to my riding a delicia, and with the help of everyone around me I finally plucked up the courage to take delicia out of her double and into her snaffle. I was worried she would bolt off, have no breaks and be a general cow-pony in it.

However, I was pleasantly supprised. She was softer in her snaffle with a more natural head carriage, not so broken in the neck. But there is still a lot of work to be done. I did a lot of changes of reins and transitions, trying to keep delicia listening to me and my aids. She was no stronger in her snaffle then she is in her double, in fact she seemed less strong in her snaffle, and 100 times happier.

I did buy a drop noseband, but she didn’t like it (perhaps not this seasons colours?). So I put her in a crank cavesson (loose before you ask) and a flash, for this is what she is used to. She was softer in the mouth with a lot less white foam being produced as the bit wasn’t irritating her tongue so much.

So, this is it. There is no going back now. I am so proud of how well she did. There was a jumping clinic on at the yard with lots of horses and ponies wizzing by in the arena next to us, and she had the potential to be naughty. But overall she was a good girl. Every time she got a bit strong I flexed her and got her to circle whilst giving the inside rein.

My confidence has grown a lot today. I know I have made the right decision, and delicia was a very happy horse.

For those interested I ended up putting delicia into a loose rein frnech link NS bit, crank cavesson and flash, and a combination martingale with running martingale rings. I know in the pictures I do not have martingale stops. I thought I had some. I have bought some now and fitting them to the reins as I speak. 

I was going to put her in draw/running reins. But I didn’t want her to curl back at me, I want her to stretch out and down with her neck.

The only way is up  I want to thank everyone who helped push me to do this with very kind but correct CC. Thank you.

And now, pictures!
This sums up how happy I am 
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Dee is happier in her work :D

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Stretching
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HAHA
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Boys!!!
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Now how do you think her condition is?

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Dads idea of a ‘bum’ shot. Lol :rolleyes: :D
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Thank you for reading.
 
Lovely pics! She looks a happy settled girl! She looks as though she is using her back end well and working nicely over her back - long may it continue!!
Condition wise she looks spot on, I wouldnt want any more off her, but with spring coming I wouldnt want any more on either!
Im loving her flag OR boots! Im prob being stupid, but whats the idea with the OR boots on the hind legs? We used to with the front driving ponies if they were in a team/tandem to prevent them being struck by the wheelers, and also with newly broken ponies as they seem to get their legs all mixed up when they 1st go in the shafts, but Im noticing it more in DR horses too.
Im also very very jealous of your yard!! :)
 
Crikey! she looks a whole lot better, the difference is huge. Well done you, I am pleased you have done this. Happy pony.


Thank you!!! Doesnt her neck and mouth look so different! It actually shocks me. She looks happier and more content when you compare her to this

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Having said that, she is still pushing her luck a lil

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:D
 
Lovely pics! She looks a happy settled girl! She looks as though she is using her back end well and working nicely over her back - long may it continue!!
Condition wise she looks spot on, I wouldnt want any more off her, but with spring coming I wouldnt want any more on either!
Im loving her flag OR boots! Im prob being stupid, but whats the idea with the OR boots on the hind legs? We used to with the front driving ponies if they were in a team/tandem to prevent them being struck by the wheelers, and also with newly broken ponies as they seem to get their legs all mixed up when they 1st go in the shafts, but Im noticing it more in DR horses too.
Im also very very jealous of your yard!! :)

She clips her hind feet together when she is tense through her back. (i am sure there is a proper name for it but i cannot remember ight now :) ) and this is to protect of coronet band and her hooves. :) She usually has pastern wraps on but i forgot them today :)
 
i feel sad that i left her in her double for so long. I am no bunny hugger but she was clearly uncomfortable and i didnt pick up on it :(
 
i feel sad that i left her in her double for so long. I am no bunny hugger but she was clearly uncomfortable and i didnt pick up on it

You picked up on it now and have changed it. She looks much better now!
 
Well done, she's looking very well.

Can I suggest that you sit up a bit straighter and lift your chin and hands? It looks as though you are pushing her onto her fore-hand some-what.
 
Well done, she's looking very well.

Can I suggest that you sit up a bit straighter and lift your chin and hands? It looks as though you are pushing her onto her fore-hand some-what.

Hello and thank you for the CC. I am trying, problem is, due to my back and nerves, when i am 'straight' i feel i am leaning very far back :O

Not an excuse but due to *cough* a monthly issue i have terrible cramping. :( But yes, i need to look up, drop my right shoulder, lift my left hip and stop having piano hands!
 
Well done, she's looking very well.

Can I suggest that you sit up a bit straighter and lift your chin and hands? It looks as though you are pushing her onto her fore-hand some-what.

I would suggest getting a good biomechanics instructor. Get the biomechanics right and i think you'll be blown away by what your horse can do. I *think* you may be hollowing your back too much aswell - but again, I think thats for an instructor to help you with :)

Onward and upward
Triina x
 
Hello and thank you for the CC. I am trying, problem is, due to my back and nerves, when i am 'straight' i feel i am leaning very far back :O

I recognise that feeling very well! And I haven't got anywhere near as bad a back problem as yours (just torn muscles from a fall over 20 yrs ago!) I think we both have to learn that when we feel to be leaning back, we are actually in the correct position.
 
I would suggest getting a good biomechanics instructor. Get the biomechanics right and i think you'll be blown away by what your horse can do. I *think* you may be hollowing your back too much aswell - but again, I think thats for an instructor to help you with :)

Onward and upward
Triina x


My biomechanics dont work ;). Bear in mind my body is compensating for a disability :)
Im collapsing through my left hip due to the loss of use in my right leg. I also have a rotated and collapsed pelvis, my ribcage is misaligned and my right shoulder is hugging my ear. :) Its slowly gettign better. When my leg is better from its most recent problem im having lunge lessons.

I recognise that feeling very well! And I haven't got anywhere near as bad a back problem as yours (just torn muscles from a fall over 20 yrs ago!) I think we both have to learn that when we feel to be leaning back, we are actually in the correct position.

Torn muscles hurt dont they :S. Ill working on leaning back more. :)
 
Lovely to see your horse looking so much happier, honestly the first really smile-making ridden pics of I've seen WELL DONE!

You are obviously fond of her and she tries hard for you... really good to see you trusting her more.

And spotting the positives of being brave enough to post pics on here that ppl cc!

:-)
 
I am so proud of how well she did.
I'm so proud of both of you :) I know this was a big step for you to take ... but it was the right step to take.

You're position, personally I wouldn't worry about that right now, that can be touched up later, but what I will say is this, you look so much more relaxed and like you are enjoying Delicia again. I know you'll forgive me for saying this; when I used to see some photos of you with Dee in the double bridle I often thought you looked like a Sumo wrestler, all braced and ready for the fight of your life! But now you look so much more calm in these pictures, you're not hanging onto her mouth and Delicia definitely looks all the more content for it. I imagine on going forward you'll still have good days and bad days as we all do. Seriously well done BH for listening to all the CC that was hurled your way.
 
Don't beat yourself up woman!!!!:) we all do things we regret (like having a horse!!!:rolleyes:) but it takes a lot of courage to ask for CC on here, (sometimes even used as a sounding board for something you know deep down right for you/your horse but just need someone else to say "why not try this?" ((me v guilty of this! :o)))

But sorry - hope this makes some sense - you both look v happy (the main thing!) and yes she looks good! :)

Ps, love the OR boots!!!! :D
 
Well done for taking the plunge - she looks a lot lighter and happier, and as for your riding, given the problems you mention, you are riding really really well.

Cream cakes all round :-)
 
I'm so proud of both of you :) I know this was a big step for you to take ... but it was the right step to take.

You're position, personally I wouldn't worry about that right now, that can be touched up later, but what I will say is this, you look so much more relaxed and like you are enjoying Delicia again. I know you'll forgive me for saying this; when I used to see some photos of you with Dee in the double bridle I often thought you looked like a Sumo wrestler, all braced and ready for the fight of your life! But now you look so much more calm in these pictures, you're not hanging onto her mouth and Delicia definitely looks all the more content for it. I imagine on going forward you'll still have good days and bad days as we all do. Seriously well done BH for listening to all the CC that was hurled your way.

*image of me as a sumo wrestler...* hey ive lost one and a half stone >.< :mad: lol :) Dee used to fight me in the double and i was bracing against her. Im actually quite a quiet rider and i had to change tact to ride dee in the double (this should have been a warning sign).

Such a difference, she looks much more relaxed and less forced, long may it continue :)

Thank you. I only did walk and trot as i dont think i am ready for canter yet. I dont think dee is either, in the trot at times she went on the forehand or tried to dive down and run through the contact. but i refused to hold her.

Don't beat yourself up woman!!!!:) we all do things we regret (like having a horse!!!:rolleyes:) but it takes a lot of courage to ask for CC on here, (sometimes even used as a sounding board for something you know deep down right for you/your horse but just need someone else to say "why not try this?" ((me v guilty of this! :o)))

But sorry - hope this makes some sense - you both look v happy (the main thing!) and yes she looks good! :)

Ps, love the OR boots!!!! :D

She was less sweaty and much happier after i finished ridng. Big thumbs up for me :)
 
Well done for taking the plunge - she looks a lot lighter and happier, and as for your riding, given the problems you mention, you are riding really really well.

Cream cakes all round :-)

Thank you :) I have been advised not to ride ever since my the incident 5 years ago, but the dr this week told me never to give up as it was good for me mentally as well as physically. :)
 
Fabulous. Been following your threads and you look like a dream partnership in these pictures, happy horse, happy rider!! :)

I think some horses just suit bits better than others - one of ours is far happier in a pelham, the other in a snaffle.
Delicia looks far more relaxed in these pics, she is just beautiful :)
K x
 
Beautiful <3

thank you :) shame about the rider with no makeup ;)

Fabulous. Been following your threads and you look like a dream partnership in these pictures, happy horse, happy rider!! :)

I think some horses just suit bits better than others - one of ours is far happier in a pelham, the other in a snaffle.
Delicia looks far more relaxed in these pics, she is just beautiful :)
K x

The double served its purpose in that dee grew up a little when she was going through a really boulshy period and it allowed me the time to heal more and get stronger. But i kept her in it too long. My fault, but my confidence and trust in her wasnt there. It is now however, and i enjoyed riding her :)
 
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