Would she benefit from draw reins?

Allover said:
Why would you even consider advising someone to change the bit on their horse without having the first clue as to how the horse goes and how the rider rides, horses only come into a correct outline by working from behind with suppleness, and i agree with the other posts, gadgets should not be used by everyone, personally think they should be banned from general sale.
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Was just gonna say that....couldn't agree more.
 
Allover said:
Why would you even consider advising someone to change the bit on their horse without having the first clue as to how the horse goes and how the rider rides, horses only come into a correct outline by working from behind with suppleness, and i agree with the other posts, gadgets should not be used by everyone, personally think they should be banned from general sale.
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I do have a clue of how the horse was going as the OP had provided a description. A change of bit can make a huge difference as I found with my horse who had a similar way of going and was the same breed as the OP's horse.
Its not like I was telling her to stick the horse in a double bridle.
A lot of advice is sought on this forum, and often with even less of a back story than was given in this case. If we didn't use our own experiences to give advice it would be a very dull and empty place to post for help.

horses only come into a correct outline by working from behind with suppleness - I agree, but what works in one horses mouth may not work in another, so why not suggest a review of the bit?
 
Roody2, sorry if that came across as a bit harsh! What i can see form the pics is that the horse is not going forward from behind into a contact, i think that changing the bit to one that has increased poll pressure will only encourage the horse to drop its nose and not encourage it to work from behind, which is the aim.
 
If anyone is in any doubt about what can be achieved with correct dressage training with out draw reins I love the pictures of a horse transformed in six months by a very dedicated rider and very capable trainer;

The Polo pony at the bottom of the page was ridden in a grackle with a martingale. He was retired from polo as he was considered unstoppable and unturnable. What an unbelievable difference in six months?

http://www.classicalriders.co.uk/TeachingPhilosophy/TeachingPhilosophy.html[/EMAIL]
 
Mearas said:
If anyone is in any doubt about what can be achieved with correct dressage training with out draw reins I love the pictures of a horse transformed in six months by a very dedicated rider and very capable trainer;

The Polo pony at the bottom of the page was ridden in a grackle with a martingale. He was retired from polo as he was considered unstoppable and unturnable. What an unbelievable difference in six months?

http://www.classicalriders.co.uk/TeachingPhilosophy/TeachingPhilosophy.html[/EMAIL]
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wow, what a difference thanks for the link. I'm a great believer in classical dressage, my own horse is classically trained :)
 
I so agree, after a long journey trying lots of different methods I have come back to Classical Dressage because it is so beautiful, so gentle, and without force and horses respond to it. After all, a horse has the sensitivity to feel a fly land on its skin so why do we need to use anything more than the lightest of touch.:)
 
Mearas said:
I so agree, after a long journey trying lots of different methods I have come back to Classical Dressage because it is so beautiful, so gentle, and without force and horses respond to it. After all, a horse has the sensitivity to feel a fly land on its skin so why do we need to use anything more than the lightest of touch.:)
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Yeah!!!!!:D
 
I wouldn't want to ride any other way now, and apart from anything else to me it's easier!!
When I've had a lesson with my instructor I don't feel like I've had a lesson at all, I don't ache, don't get shouted at and my horse goes beautifully without me having to do an awful lot except sit correctly!
Don't know why everyone does it, oh yes I do....

it's not a quick fix!
 
I don't think classical dressage is the way for every horse and rider! I believe in taking bits from different training systems that would benefit my horse and my riding rather than religiously sticking to one system. I think as dressage evolves the training systems have to evolve too!
 
LMR said:
I don't think classical dressage is the way for every horse and rider! I believe in taking bits from different training systems that would benefit my horse and my riding rather than religiously sticking to one system. I think as dressage evolves the training systems have to evolve too!
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I think "classical" dressage has stood the test of time!!!!

Also think it depends what discipline you want to ride in?
 
ISHmad said:
I'd find a nice classical dressage instructor and leave the draw reins in the tack shop myself.
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Not read all the replies, but I agree with this. I wouldn't worry that your horse's head carriage is high and that she is in front of the bit. At prelim level it is better that the horse is slightly in front of the bit than behind it.
 
don't think classical dressage is the way for every horse and rider! I believe in taking bits from different training systems that would benefit my horse and my riding rather than religiously sticking to one system. I think as dressage evolves the training systems have to evolve too!
Sort of agree, one theory is a golden thread that runs through all the great dressage masters. But if we wander to far from the path we risk training methods like Rollkur or Hyperflexion. For me something that is as far from the golden thread as could possibly be.
 
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