using kit your horse doesnt "like" - opinions pls

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rubysmum

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Ruby horse [ all 17 hh of big, strong & contrary horse] has recently been fitted with a double bridle & pelham - she has gone from giraffe necked, tanking off, unbending & all the rest to a beautifully sweetly going mare - allowing me to actually work on my position, aids & genernal own riding as opposed to continually battling with her BUT - she hates it - not to the extent of bucking/bolting/rearing or any serious misbehaviour - but a general vibe of anger as none of her old tricks are effective and she now has to work nicely [ something she is more than capable of BTW]
my personal feeling is that a couple of scholing sessions a week are quite fair enough [ she only uses the double & pelham combo to work on quite specific stuff or to prepare for her summer showing classes]
but interested in others thoughts about horses & their likes /dislikes of kit?
 
I don't like putting my horses grackle on as it makes me feel mean! I can't imagine it's particularly nice and he's always swinging his head around while in trying to do it up or trying to chew it. I don't think he massively likes it.
However he's much nicer to ride in it, just stops him from crossing his jaw and he feels pretty harmonious when I'm riding so I don't think he minds it's that much.

He also doesn't like wearing back brushing boots, can fidget when I put them on (fine with fronts). I think it's because he gets sensitive skin down the front of his cannon bones from the mud. I relented and use fetlock boots instead now on the back, he still fidgits sometimes but tough.
 
I know exactly where you're coming from! My arab X mare use to hate having ANY contact at all...like really really hate it. (no teeth problems etc just not used to it) so starting to work her properly was a niiiightmare at times :D
But slowly slowly she has come round to it and now doesn't mind having a bridle on and working properly :)

I think that changes can cause them to behave like they don't like it...like seatbelts for example..if you got out of the habit of wearing one and having that extra movement..when you have to put one one they suddenly seem very restrictive and uncomfortable...but then you get used to the feeling and relax if that makes sense?...
 
I don't work my mare in anything she doesn't like. If I spend enough time thinking it through then there is usally a reason that she dislikes something - often it doesn't make a request that is reasnoble considering her schooling level / fitness / confo / muscle development. Once I have worked through those things I can usually see why she doesn't get on with something. If it is just bolshyness and 'i won't work' (believe me, she has been through every evasion in the book!!) then it is something better worked through with consistent and firm but kind training. If she is forced to do a reasnoble level of work then all that happens is that she is stiff and mardy, no lesson learned! If she is schooled consistently in things that are comfortable for her then she learns that I will only ask fair things of her and she learns to give that willingly!

Working this way in the last 6 months thanks to a fabulous trainer to help us both, my girl (v special to me but not built for flatwork to come easily to her - rather bum high!!) has gone from badly completing walk and trot tests to willingly working at elem at home. The difference in her attitude and work level has been huge!!
 
Bits of kit my horses have disliked?.....now where shall I start:D

My mare cannot bear neoprene girths or brushing boots - the boots were taken off with her teeth and she kicked up to the girth with her front legs so that didn't last long.....
Same mare ain't keen on sheepskin numnahs either so just don't use them, and she's rather particular about bits too - likes a couple so we'll stick with them

My old mare did not go at all well in any type of snaffle and told us in no uncertain terms. She loved a double bridle and a little show pelham - no other type of pelham would do.

With your horse have you tried just one type of mouthpiece? - you may need to experiment a little bit, ie does she prefer a sliding or fixed curb, thick or thin bradoon etc. They all have their likes and dislikes and it's amazing how a slight variation in thickness or shape will make all the difference.
 
Oh ,no, not this one to make me feel even more guilty :)

We have had to get pony some side reins as he is alsways pulling at my little girls hands trying to get a cheeky nibbl of the grass.

I dont have them tight and keep them loose enough for him to have a scratch but not soo long that he can get at the ground.

The air is blue with his bad lanuage when he sees them, if looks could kill :(
 
im lucky both my 14.2s just go in snaffle bridles with cavesson nosebands.they dont need all this fancy stuff on.as richard flower said in the late 1800s when he was trying to ban the gag bearing rein-the plainer the better.
 
I don't have a choice if he doesn't like it he just won't go!! I tried a drop noseband once, he just stood looking at me with an expression tat said "but I can't move forwards with this thing on my face!" lol :D
 
perhaps having a double bridle is too much for your horses mouth? or as already suggested- play around with the mouthpieces?

my horse hates jointed and metal bits, and is ridden in a straightbar happy mouth pellham.

my sisters pony has a really tatty looking sliding cheek pelham (i think it may be nickel) which she was in when we bought her. Immy bought a nice shiny mullenmouth one to replace it and she would not stand for it: she likes the movement of the mouthpiece, thanks to the sliding cheek.

eta: my friends highland pony always hated having her tail bandaged... you needed a crow-bar to un clamp her tail!! :D
 
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