Two questions about riding a new horse? (sorry, long)

[TeamWazz]

My first question is - I'm planning on going to the beach with my new horse and another horse from the yard this weekend. HOWEVER I'm still not 100% and my friend's said that if on the day I'm still not sure I can just ride his other horse. I would like to go down to the beach on my new horse though as my friend's horse is the most bombproof horse who would probably be the best to go with and the owner would be the most understanding if I said I only wanted to walk the whole way there and back. However he is super busy with university so I rarely see him to ride with and with winter closing in this would probably be the only opportunity to ride with him for a while. I've had my new horse a month and I'm jumping, cantering, galloping along the stubble, you name it.
What I'm asking here though is - do you think I should? I had a terrible experience with my other horse when he was new going out for a long hack in the wind with a girl who wouldn't stop galloping everywhere and long story short to this day he acts up on a certain part of a certain ride due to the fact she went galloping off without him then came galloping back and barrelled into his chest. T_T So I want to make sure I do the right thing this time.
Also if I'm going, should I put him in a stronger bit? He's in a Wilkie snaffle at the moment and out on a hack he's fine but a bit ... boisterous. I'd personally feel more comfortable in a stronger bit just for the first time going to the beach and once I've done that I'd probably take him in the snaffle.
The beach is a 15-20 minute hack in walk away from the yard - along a road and crossing a road that gets a lot of traffic. However we'd only be on that road for a minute and its very quiet roads on either side of this.

My second question :
My new horse rushes into the jumps - I think this is because of his fast and eventing past - he's honest and will clear it but just very speedy. We're working on that and I'm feeling much more confident and he is know trotting happily into jumps and not being so fast into the jumps BUT when the height goes up his head goes up. Physio and vet have already seen him, new saddle fitted by qualified saddler. My instructor was advising a running martingale? Would you advise this as well?

 

[Mince Pie]

Yes to the running martingale, and if friend is sensible type that won't go hooning off everywhere then I would say yes to the beach ride as well.

 

[missyme10]

If you trust your friend then yes I'd take the new horse.
For the jumping, a running martingale is certainly worth trying, works for mine

 

[Circe]

I'd say yes, take your new horse. You said you trust your friend.
Also, if it makes you feel more confident, I dont think it will hurt to use a stronger bit for the ride.
Worth trying a running martingale when you're jumping.
Have fun.
Kx

 

[flying solo]

Go have fun, your friend sounds sensible and I think you will be fine let us know how it goes and take some pics! x

 

[Miss L Toe]

Re jumping, do a series of jumps. 101 exercises for jumping is a great book for ideas.

 

[Zimzim]

I'd say if you trust your friend then yes go and have fun on the beach, even if you just want to walk across it.

I would also use a running martingale to help with your jumping, and try doing some grid work etc to help slow down your horse and get it listening to you, it will get him to think about what he is doing. If he gets too speedy when your approaching your jumps just circle him away from it and keep circling until he slows down and listens to you, once hes calm come off the circle and approach your jump, worth a try

 

[sheep]

Regarding bitting, if you think you will have more control with a stronger bit, then use it. Better to be subtle with your hands with a stronger one than to end up hauling on his mouth on his normal one.. and if he behaves impeccably, it won't matter plus if you feel more confident he might not realise that you are a bit nervous!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Mmmm, I'm sensing OP that you're a bit hesitant about this beach ride??? And if you are, that's bound to transmit to your horse.

So maybe you could let your friend ride yours, and you ride theirs? Then you'd be able to see how yours goes with maybe a more confident rider on board, and then at some future point be able to ride yours on the beach when you're both ready.

I know others have suggested to just go for it, but personally I always tend to be a tad cautious!!! The other observation I would make is to ask what time you'll be on the beach on Saturday? Coz weekends are always the busy times for beaches, and it might be good if you could time your visit to say early morning to avoid the myriad of dog walkers, people hooning along with water-kite thingeys etc. Or perhaps another day of the week entirely if that's possible?

 

[meesha]

Go for it regarding beach - took my chap with a friend whose horse didnt like beach - disaster - although we both survived we were only on the beach 20 seconds !

Then, took him with another calm horse who had done the beach before and he was good as gold - just a little strong in canter

Try and go at a quiet time and stick to a bit of beach where you can get off if need be at first before you venture further

Have fun x