Using Market Harborough/De Gougue on Pickle- Worth a try

[JessPickle]

Pickle is perfectly capable of working properly, I can get that power from behind and then he tucks his head in beautifully, however he is totally inconsistent

I have worked really hard with him, ensured he is warmed up and really working properly. I use flexi reins with him occastioanlly which works to a degree but still not perfectly.

He is capable of working properly, as old old owner said he did in the past work very consistently someone has just messed him up along the way, so would it be worth trying either a Market Harborough or a Chambon or does anyone have any other suggestions, I have lessons, with someone brilliant who is all about getting a true outline not all that sawing lark which seems to have become more common.

So any reccommendations, have never used any gadgets so dont know where to start. Lunging gadgets are out the question as he is a complete nutter to lunge at the moment! the initial bucks as you send him away are so twisty he'd end up tangled up.

 

[dwi]

If you're wanting to go in that sort of direction I'd recommend a De Gogue. Not complicated to use and just acts as a gentle reminder through the poll rather than strapping them down from the mouth.

 

[JessPickle]

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If you're wanting to go in that sort of direction I'd recommend a De Gogue. Not complicated to use and just acts as a gentle reminder through the poll rather than strapping them down from the mouth.

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oops put chambon instead of de gogue in the title, I was looking at them. Thanks for your suggestion

 

[Seahorse]

you can only lunge in a chambon, you can't ride in one. Never tried a de gogue, they look like they would work quite well, worth a try anyway xx

 

[Paint it Lucky]

Personally I don't like De gogues, they don't really give very much when the horse gives sow here is the reward? Though this may be that the people i have seen using them use them too tightly.

Chambons are great for getting horses to give and stretch down, they release pressure as soon as the horse lowers the poll and most horses get the hang of them very quickly. With regards Pickles' bucking, why not let him run around a few times first then put the gadget on once he has calmed down?

I don't particularly like market harboroughs as again they are fixed, but they can suit some horses. One of my liveries went through a phase of riding her horse in one every day for about a year and it did improve his way of going a lot, but i hated it and would always remove it before riding as it was too restrictive and i felt I couldn't work him properly in it. I would instead get him to stretch and take the rein first and then ask him to come more up and together into a consistent but allowing contact and found this worked very well.

Is Pickle quite set in his way of going or is he easy to get to stretch/flex/bend etc. Often it helps with a fixed horse to do lots of bending to get him to let go in the jaw and at the poll. I always like to get a horse going well in walk first before I ask for trot and then going well in trot before I ask for canter. Some people like to do lots of transitions and movements, but sometimes it is better not to do these things as it makes it harder for the horse to relax. Working large, doing big circles and occasional transitions is often best initially, then once the horse starts to work better you can ask gradually for more complicated things.


Hope this helps.