Ambers Echo
Still wittering on
Thanks very helpful. Think I'll arrange trips out to Broxton Hall Gallops. x
I need a plan for bitting. I am a tack dork. (Yet another huge gap in my knowledge) so I don't really know how different bits work beyond the basic: more leverage = more bit pressure. (And even that might be wrong!)
I started her ridden life in a snaffle and all my schooling and training was originally in a snaffle. Then when we started jumping she was too forward and she went into a Wilkie and then the gag which my YO at the time did tell me to use with a flash and a backstrap. Over the winter she went back into the snaffle ring on the gag (I just could not be bothered to change bits) and was fine all winter in training. But at Aston Le Walls I lost brakes and put it back on the gag ring but had forgotten all about the backstrap/flash...... Doh. Can you explain what they do and how they work? Or advise on other bits?
On a long ago thread when the backstrap and flashg first went on someone advised me not to get into a 'bitting arms race' which is a quote I have never forgotten though I forget who said it now. So I keep going back to the snaffle, and working hard in schooling. But I do feel I need an set of brakes for when she decides to tank off.
Incidentally in schooling at home she can go from canter to halt in a few strides with minimal rein pressure - she is very responsive. But she stops listening when she gets onto a XC course.
What does Amber do when she bogs off - I.e how does she do it? Head up? Head down? Jaw & neck fixed?
AE what’s she like hacking, canter work in open spaces etc?