Thoughts and advise please if possible.

P

PIP17

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 July 2010
Messages
60
Visit site
Just wondered if anyone could just give me their thoughts on the best thing to do.........I am hoping to go on a fun ride at the end of the month in the Wyre Forest, I have emailed the organisers to see if its a yeehaa ride but apparently its a steady one with no open spaces etc just tracks through the forest, I also decided to call my boys previous owner last night because I could remember him telling me he took him on fun rides and I thought it would give me a heads up on what to expect. He told me my boy was fine, very sensible etc but when he had raced him against his girlfriends horse he had taken a bit of pulling up at the end and it might be an idea to ride him in a gag incase he got a bit strong if I had a canter. Now, I ride him in a hanging cheek snaffle and although he can get exicited in company in open spaces - a buck and a jog - I have never felt the need to put him in a stronger bit. I am NOT the most confident of riders but feel ready to do this fun ride because of all the time and hard work I have spent with Joel since April. Any thoughts please on whether I should use a gag and if so what ring do I use? Sorry bit of a random post but all replies appreciated :)
 
i think it sounds that as long as you don't let the handbrake off and let him race, you'll prob be fine. many horses are a different beast once you get them going flat out (not surprisingly). it's not a bad idea to have a bit that you could drop down to a stronger level if required though... i've been on fun rides where other riders were very rude and just zoomed past us even though we'd stood aside and were obviously on a nanny + young horse, and it's the preventing your horse from following that is the fun part... as long as you can do that, you should be fine. have fun!
 
If you put a rein on the main ring then the action of the gag won't be that different to your hanging cheek assuming the mouth piece is similar. if you then out a second (emergency brake) rein on one of the lower holes you could ride as normal but with the confidence that you had more control available via the other rein if you needed it. Would practice first though so you don't surprise yourself/horse on the fun ride.
 
^ this. And try it out in the school first to see how he reacts, some horses REALLY don't like the action of a gag. Other than that, have fun and don't stress! :)
 
Nope, leave him in the bit that hes used to. It may upset him more to be ridden in a different one in a new place. If you dont use one already then maybe a martingale would be useful.
 
agree with Tickles. 1st ring of gag is pretty much a hanging cheek anyway. so can start with that and if needed move down to next ring.
Just make sure you risde in it in school forst and use the second ring so you get used to how much pressure you need. Its quite a strong bit so you have to be careful your not too heavy handed with it.
Hope you have fun!! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top