tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post5984199661521079467..comments2023-11-02T06:28:31.995-07:00Comments on Fugly Horse of the Day Review: Fall Time Reviewbhmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07305625629888108578noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-36874250903999616512010-10-17T18:06:40.443-07:002010-10-17T18:06:40.443-07:00Right on Kaede! Now when I started riding I didn&#...Right on Kaede! Now when I started riding I didn't have that, BUT when I started dresssage I did. I spent 2 months 2x a week bareback on the lounge. I didn't get reins until I could post bareback, with my heels down AND with my hands on my hips. Taught me a lot about having soft hands. <br /><br />When I have given lessons all people start on the lounge with no stirrups and no reins. Its good for them and lets me see where their balance is.<br /><br />I personally ride my mare in a side pull, but thats because she can't stand the bit :)<br /><br />Honestly though you do need to ride in the bit that WORKS for you and your horse. Be it a tom thumb or a curb or a snaffle or anything else. As long as you know how to use the bit you are using. <br /><br />We ought to be smart enough not to put a spade bit on either A. a green horse or B. on a horse with a green rider! :)Valeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15699714436159771631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-24348116980918805542010-10-17T13:25:41.132-07:002010-10-17T13:25:41.132-07:00What ever happened to what ever works, works? To h...What ever happened to what ever works, works? To heck with the "ideal" bit. Yeah, this does assume (and we all know about assumptions.)that if you are selecting a bit, you know something about bits and how they work; and that you know something about your horses. <br /><br />I grew up riding in nothing but full cheek snaffles. Back in the day they were what beginners rode in. But then again, we spent lots o' time on a lunge line getting our position stable before we got our hands on the reins. None of this was 1/2 hour, once a week. At first I did it three times a week for the first month then I moved to every day.Kaedehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12771580530132454160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-78510414956608312002010-10-17T09:06:50.400-07:002010-10-17T09:06:50.400-07:00Some of my horses have ranged in bits from snaffle...Some of my horses have ranged in bits from snaffles to pelham in english. I usually ride english. For a western bit I have a old sielster bit with a low port. I love that bit just a gently nudge and my horse is right on the spot. She gets distracted sometimes. I do prefer to ride in a full cheek snaffle 90% of the time. I did have a horse that would not stop for anything. I took me a couple of years to get her willing to take a snaffle. I have seen some real strange looking bits that have long shanks, high ports, and even thin bosals (look more like a tie down) just crazy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-30759300763920716092010-10-16T20:47:05.150-07:002010-10-16T20:47:05.150-07:00We were never allowed to ride with a jointed bit a...We were never allowed to ride with a jointed bit as kids, short shank, low port curb with a leather chin strap set loose only...Left, right, go and whoa, horses neckreined on cue, not on pull. To ride a snaffle properly you need to keep it level in the horse's mouth so it can't 'teepee'. Kids can't do that because they don't have the balance, and a green horse can't carry that type of bit easily because they don't have the balance. If you put a snaffle in the crook of your elbow and pull, it's quite an education!kestrelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03253025366100154732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-61061714653633254162010-10-16T09:07:26.516-07:002010-10-16T09:07:26.516-07:00I agree with Lolasl. ANY bit or hackamore can be h...I agree with Lolasl. ANY bit or hackamore can be harsh in the wrong hands. <br /><br />I have seen horses ridden in spade bits where the horse is completely happy and the rider has very soft hands (the bit being used for a VERY well trained horses with a VERY well trained rider)<br /><br />I have seen horses ridden in French Links that hate it and the rider has very rough hands<br /><br />You can hurt your horse in a Bosal if you have rough hands! BUT I have learned you can teach a horse to have a soft mouth if you have soft hands.<br /><br />I currently have a mare who was never bitted so she came with a Mechanical Hackamore with HUGE shanks on it. She hated it,was consistently shaking her head and grinding her teeth. So we changed her to a side pull (with vet wrap around the nose to pad it) she was very hard on it at first but in a few rides realized that if she gave to the pressure immediately, the pressure disappeared. <br /><br />The same is with snaffle bits. The lady I work for uses a knotted rope halter to start the baby's. Very soft and doesn't use their mouths. We take them on their first trail ride that way. Then we move to a copper snaffle. We keep the headstall loose to teach them to carry the bit and we dont use the bit at first. Just let them get used to carrying it, then we slowly transition to using the bit full time. <br /><br />If you have soft hands a harsh bit can become soft. The same is if you have hard hands the softest bit can become harsh!Valeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15699714436159771631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-80851556437478275352010-10-15T15:55:38.995-07:002010-10-15T15:55:38.995-07:00As for my bit input, I don't like any bit that...As for my bit input, I don't like any bit that has only one break (any regular snaffle, generally). I ride all the young horses in a "loose ring hollow mouth copper french link snaffle", if that's too much of a mouthful I just call it the "baby bit". The young'uns love the copper, the double break is soft and forgiving, and the loose rings allow them to play with the bit, and learn to carry it on their own. After that bit, I move up to a solid mouthpiece or to a different multi-break mouthpiece. My show bit is a solid mouth low-port kimberwicke, and it works just fine on any of the babies I started in the "baby bit".<br />I made the mistake of putting one horse in a single joint d-ring bit, and she almost hit me in the nose with her head first time I touched the reins! I think she was just spoiled by the softness of the double-break baby bit. :)<br /><br />I know not everyone will agree with me, but it's what has worked for me so far.<br /><br />I took the silly bay mare (5 year old Morgan) out for a ride today. Hadn't been ridden in over a month, and today was cold and rainy, AND I rode her out in the field for the first time. She had only the baby bit in her mouth, and she was a DREAM to ride!FenrirsRagnaroknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-88823519193762036992010-10-15T11:37:24.280-07:002010-10-15T11:37:24.280-07:00Again, a bit is always as harsh as the hands that ...Again, a bit is always as harsh as the hands that are attached to it, but anything with a shank and broken mouth piece has potential for great injury. They work like a nutcracker on the mouth and often cause gaping hard mouthed horses. For my own use, shanks only belong in the show ring and never with a broken mouthpiece...<br /><br />lolaslAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-75465968922648786762010-10-15T08:57:29.056-07:002010-10-15T08:57:29.056-07:00We have $1000 or an offer on our mare. Yes, DK......We have $1000 or an offer on our mare. Yes, DK...She is hypp n/n..meaning does not have the gene nor is a carrier so breeding her someone desired to not be a threat....<br /><br />I think a lot of the bit confusion is that tom thumbs as well as lots of other shanked bits with the word snaffle on the packaging or on catalog pages. It is after all a broken bit but has the shanks. <br /><br />Our two favorite bits for our horses, which seem to work very well....on looks terribly harsh if you just walk up to the horse and see the shanks...its long shanked but has a very , very thick broken bit covered by a inch copper cricket. It works on poll pressure and the cricket allows the horse to gently roll it along the pallet & keeps the mouth moist......the other bit that is quickly becoming a favorite is a french link with copper rings...the horses LOVE this bit....my youngest is using it on her horse that is really high strung, nothing else was working and this bit seems to be the best. ...he's so silly with it too because he used to fight taking his bit, now he opens up so he can wiggle those rings around......<br /><br />We do have 1 twisted ring bit on our place...its for our 20 yr old pony and he came with it....we tried a different bit because I am not a fan of anything twisted and my young rider ended up in a tree two properties away....hershey rides like a dream in that bit....if you put anything else in his mouth, he will buck and bolt......LadyEvieGrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06262837049708577540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-17365675922967805302010-10-15T07:37:43.631-07:002010-10-15T07:37:43.631-07:00Dumbass cant pay her blog bill again. I wonder how...Dumbass cant pay her blog bill again. I wonder how she pays her board bills?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-9047024624365780272010-10-15T05:47:27.220-07:002010-10-15T05:47:27.220-07:00I saw that error last night around 9 CTI saw that error last night around 9 CTAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-35843870123261659202010-10-15T01:45:19.590-07:002010-10-15T01:45:19.590-07:00Is anyone else getting the "Error establishin...Is anyone else getting the "Error establishing a database connection" message when trying to get on fugs blog?<br /><br />Didn't this just happen recently, too?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-78032317308416496522010-10-14T21:52:18.722-07:002010-10-14T21:52:18.722-07:00One grand old (26!) mare I ride goes in a (special...One grand old (26!) mare I ride goes in a (specially made for her) Dr. Bristol twisted wire half cheek snaffle. That's her favorite bit. The only thing I can think of is she likes very thin bits with a flat place for her tongue. She fusses when I've tried pricy snaffles, some with with roller centers, some narrow bridoons, a little of every thing. She just likes her Dr. Bristol twisted wire half cheek snaffle. Go figure.Kaedehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12771580530132454160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-82450162024531141792010-10-14T15:35:57.799-07:002010-10-14T15:35:57.799-07:00One thing I don't like about impressive bred, ...One thing I don't like about impressive bred, is the big butt. To me, that's just not very pretty in my eyes and that, along with hypp, would be my argument about my dislike for them. However, as far back as it is in your mare, LEG, it's really nothing to worry about. (And the n/n means she's not a carrier, right? I haven't done a genetic chart is so many years.) How much are you selling her for?<br /><br />As for bits, I prefer a low port comfort snaffle. My best friend rides her arab mare in a cathedral, but the mare loves it and my friend has very good hands. She was surprised when she found out how well the little mare actually liked the bit. To be honest, though, I am lost at bits. That is something I really need to get off my kiester and start learning about.<br /><br />GL Good to see you back, gf! I hope you didn't take it out of place when I barked at the anon up earlier, it just roasted my taters that she made you feel as if you had to take down everything you said.<br /><br />~DK Trying this again because blogger ate it the first time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-73060620698615389742010-10-14T13:46:53.062-07:002010-10-14T13:46:53.062-07:00I find this site more helpful, purple chicken:)
BC...I find this site more helpful, purple chicken:)<br /><a href="http://www.horsewelfare.ca/resources/bodycondition/BCS_Horse.pdf" rel="nofollow">BCS SCORING, PDF alert</a><br /><br />Take a look at an endurance horse, or a race horse, then look at any pleasure horse. A very fit horse can look thin, when they are not.<br />I think 5 is justaboutright, on the henneke score.<br />jmo.GoLightlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18283690734019490983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-43452796708098030792010-10-14T12:59:42.354-07:002010-10-14T12:59:42.354-07:00this is OT but I'm curious as to what you guys...this is OT but I'm curious as to what you guys think about the Henneke scale. <br /><br />http://www.shady-acres.com/susan/conditionscore.shtml<br /><br />I personally don't know where on this scale a horse should fall. It seems to me that 5 is too thin and 6 is too fat... also, as the website states, it does not take into consideration muscle-tone, breeding, confirmation, age, etc., so using this to determine if the horse is in "good health" seems a little silly to me because is "healthy" 28 yr old retired OTTB is (typically) going to be thinner than a 5 yr old world champion paint...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-61904284631573227852010-10-14T12:17:53.936-07:002010-10-14T12:17:53.936-07:00Ah ha, thanks for the education. Personally I'...Ah ha, thanks for the education. Personally I've normally used really plain and boring "english snaffles" although I have sometimes had to haul out some of the heavy artillery when re starting OTTB's. My way of thinkig was to find a bit that the horse was comfortable in, and that it would respond to with light aids. Yes, I could have used a plain egg butt snaffle, but I would have ended up in a pulling contest, as we got the aids refined the bit got milder - all og my re-starts ended up being able to be ridden in a loose ring or eggbut snaffle, depending on the horses preference.Deenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-2854120167811055552010-10-14T11:03:27.224-07:002010-10-14T11:03:27.224-07:00Dee-
When I think of a tom thumb I see this: http:...Dee-<br />When I think of a tom thumb I see this: http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/tack_apparel/bit_gallery/tomthumb/<br /><br />Like any bit it is as severe as the user's hands make it. I have one that is used in the horses that don't like a lot of stuff in their mouth, mine are adjusted so the curb strap (never a chain) hits before any jaw cracking happens. And my horses are in snaffles or bosels 80% of the time.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18352293562056121610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-31427575511163851092010-10-14T10:26:21.757-07:002010-10-14T10:26:21.757-07:00I usually figure that if I need a super harsh bit ...I usually figure that if I need a super harsh bit to stop them, why would I want to get on them?! Groundwork...kestrelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03253025366100154732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-79267630573678401952010-10-14T09:10:21.883-07:002010-10-14T09:10:21.883-07:00I have to admit I'm a bit junky and have a ful...I have to admit I'm a bit junky and have a full arsenal of them. The funny thing is, I generally ride in a floating ring with copper mouth piece. I always moved `up' a bit for the showring but that was only to allow a cue to be subtle. ANY bit can be harsh in the wrong hands. I won't allow anybody to ride one of my horses in anything other than the most gentle bit as all my horses are very soft mouthed. Even my OTTB had a mouth like butter on him and he used to be one of the tougher ones to gallop when he was racing. You can always re-educate their mouths with a little patience. <br /><br />LEG, those people did not deserve your horse....simple as that. Some of the nicer horses I have ridden are Impressive breds. If they are HYPP n/n there is no issue at all and any horseperson would know that.<br /><br />yes, Tom Thumbs are not the harshest bits out there, but I think some people get deceived by the fact that they are called snaffles. I've seen a double twiseted wire that was a snaffle that I would never dream of puttin on a horse. I've never even put so much as a slow twist in a horse's mouth. That's just me though...<br /><br />lolaslAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-16338870840455185202010-10-14T08:57:52.767-07:002010-10-14T08:57:52.767-07:00LEG, now that is funny!! I find it all the time a...LEG, now that is funny!! I find it all the time as a trainer...some one who has frustrated, irritated, hurt and harassed their horse until it is fighting mad is the one telling me how to do my job. <br /><br /> There are a lot of different bits out there for a reason. Every horse's mouth is different. Some horses do well in a fairly severe bit because their owner has trained hands, some owners can't be trusted with any bit and their horses suffer for it. I don't take any horse in for training that doesn't come with a trainable human.kestrelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03253025366100154732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-84286081381158184092010-10-14T08:10:20.896-07:002010-10-14T08:10:20.896-07:00Snaffles snaffles and more snaffles:
"that i...Snaffles snaffles and more snaffles:<br /><br />"that is NOT a snaffle"<br /><br />me: ok well its a very short shanked copper mouth tom thumb and...<br /><br />"you don't know that a tom thumb is not a snaffle"<br /><br />me: ma'am go in that tack room and pick out what snaffle you want to see the horse ridden in<br /><br />"that's not necesary"<br /><br />Me: so you don't want us to change the bit?<br /><br />"Well i don't like that bit. it's the wrong bit for your horse" (mind you, the horse had been walked from the round pen to the arena under saddle about 50 yds. that's all they saw"<br /><br />Me: ok would you like an o-ring, d-ring, egg butt, full cheek. do you want stainless steel or copper? what do you ride your horse in<br /><br />"the bits we use have the metal down piece like that tom thumb but go straight across so there's no pinch or pull to it"<br /><br />Me: but it has shanks<br /><br />"about 5 inches sometimes it has a little bump to it"<br /><br />Me: and this is your snaffle?? <br /><br />"yes. and that horse is just not going to ride in a tom thumb. plus dont you need a nose band on it"<br /><br />Me: girls put a full cheek copper mouth snaffle in her and take her through a couple of exercises<br /><br />"that's not a snaffle either. I dont know what that is but it's not a snaffle"<br /><br />Me: girls go ride the horseLadyEvieGrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06262837049708577540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-77908748692070416532010-10-14T08:08:58.777-07:002010-10-14T08:08:58.777-07:00LEG - I think that conversation is the epitome of ...LEG - I think that conversation is the epitome of "a little knowledge is a very dangerous thing"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-38597826900533686382010-10-14T08:01:11.746-07:002010-10-14T08:01:11.746-07:00The Impressive Bred Conversation
"Oh my GOD, ...The Impressive Bred Conversation<br />"Oh my GOD, she didn't tell me we were coming to look at an impressive bred horse. I would just as soon stay away from anything with impressive anywhere in the line"<br /><br />Me: really, why is that<br /><br />"well you know what they say about them horses"<br /><br />Me: no, not really. tell me<br /><br />"well they are impressive bred and you know what that means. I mean everyone knows what it means. after all, its impressive bred"<br /><br />Me: ok but you all saw her papers. she is hypp n/n and impressive is about 10 generations back. what is it about the lineage you don't like, especially where this horse is concerned<br /><br />"well they say impresive bred horses just should not be messed with because of impressive himself. you know what i mean"<br /><br />Me: um, i'd like to hear you clarify what you are concerned about<br /><br />"well just the whole fact she is impressive bred"<br /><br />Me: are you concerned about hyperkalemic periodic paralysis with this horse?<br /><br />"oh no, i mean we give shots for that and keep the possums and coons out of the hay"<br /><br />Me: I don't really think my horse is right for youLadyEvieGrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06262837049708577540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-37804349422469763852010-10-14T07:54:48.016-07:002010-10-14T07:54:48.016-07:00How about a twisted snaffle??? Thos aren't muc...How about a twisted snaffle??? Thos aren't much fun for the horse huh?? Also I attended a bitting clinic several years ago in which the clinician discussed the concepts of bits and harshness. His take was this "no matter what you put in the horses mouth or use to control the head,...in the wrong hands, it is harsh" he then went on to show a slide presentation of a horse who had his jaw broken by the use of a bosal and mecate. Summer 2009 we had a rider dismissed from a ring for using a non-mechanical hack and the judge made the child cry stating that if she couldn't handle her horse in a curb it wasn't broke and the mechanics of the hack are illegal. This same child went a week later to a different show and placed 1st in 4 different classes. My take is very much like the clincian....gentle hands must be taught. Concerning these dipsquats comments about a "handle" on the horse...I wish they would clarify what that means to them. I think people hear certain phrases and just pick them up and use them like a magic buzz word. I'm going to put a few of them down in the next posting just to get a feel for what you all think. As far as our little mare is concerned, I think we are going to pull her off the market and just keep her. It's easier than dealing with the idiots. If anyone on here is in the market for a nice qh, go ahead and let me know but I'm sick of people trying to lowball a quality horse when she is not out of line pricewise and has done nothing to warrant ugly commentsLadyEvieGrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06262837049708577540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8134505110396108058.post-50755018790578256852010-10-14T06:19:44.392-07:002010-10-14T06:19:44.392-07:00I think that tom thumbs are ok to use if you know ...I think that tom thumbs are ok to use if you know how to ride without jerking the horse around. As far as it being a harsh bit, I've seen much worse (how about a spade... even if you know what you are doing you can seriously hurt the horse... then put that spade in backwards and keep pulling... that's why my mare has to be ridden in a hackamore, it tore up her mouth)<br /><br />As far as it being a snaffle it is called a Tom Thumb Snaffle (at least here in Missouri)... snaffle is the generic term for a "broken" bit... yes, there are many types of snaffles, find the bit that works for your horse and your needs...<br /><br />Something that frustrates me is when I (or really anyone) is riding my horse and someone sees the bit (either before or after I rode, or asks what it is) and says they don't like the horse or my riding because of my bit choice. Ask me why I use that bit and we can have a discussion, but don't dog me or my horse because of the bit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com