RE: RE: stallion & martingale/bits

["Bev Davison/Jim Miller" <sdaxifa@lcp2.net>]

(Thanks Claudia)
Hi to those responding or thinking about it. I'll post this instead of
individual responses or I'll never get my ride in today!!

He started out in a rubber snaffle for training then a regular d-ring
snaffle, some work in a side pull, then trail work was mostly in a gentle
ported grazing (curb) bit.  I have a tom thumb but didn't even bother to use
it on him as I new it would create problems.

 The head throwing is not heavy hands or the bit at least through the trial
and error so far.  It really is a temper tantrum or studdy attitude.  He
does it in a halter and rope if the situation is such that we have different
agendas regarding speed or mares.  He is competitive but smart and he's one
that conserves energy unless intrinsically motivated.

As for the "pinchless" notion. I suppose in the strictest sense you are
correct about any broken bit having those properties.  It was a very
expensive bit designed with a rotating pivot bushing over the joint of the
bit. It supposedly allows for independent rotation and direct rein signaling
on either side of the mouth.  When you hold it in your hand there are no
piching properties. The shanks also have rotating (swiveling)properties and
although longer than some, they are angled back like a grazing bit might be.

He had bred a couple of mares in previous years so knows well what is "going
on".  I know we need much more practice at teaching stallion manners and
competitive nature to be in sinc with my own.  As you say, hopefuuly time
will help that.  It really is only when he is asked to follow mares that he
gets worked up.  Othewise we work on a loose rein.  He will follow geldings
and can ride side by side with either even on narrow trails and be a
gentleman.

This is why I think a martingale of some type might help before I need the
dental work.

Hope that fills in some blanks, Bev




> -----Original Message-----
> From: Claudia Provin [mailto:provincmk@fanninelectric.com]
> Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2000 5:12 PM
> To: Bev Davison/Jim Miller
> Subject: Re: RE:
>
>
>
> ----- and starts with the
> > head throwing.  He is being ridden in a pinchless broken bit with fairly
> > long but angled shanks and a curb chain.
>             I don't believe there is such a thing as a pinchless
> broken bit
> with shanks (But--I could be wrong, of course) and the longer the
> shanks the
> more the pinching.   I rode my stallion with a Tom Thumb (before I knew
> better)---with the same behavior you are talking about.    I went
> to a plain
> snaffle----just round rings, no shanks, no curb chain---and had no more
> problems.    We did "practice" responsivesness in an enclosed area until I
> felt comfortable with it.   Your horse is obviously fighting
> something---heavy hands, the bit.   THEN get to the second problem of him
> wanting to protect/guard/herd the mares, which I feel only time and
> experience will solve.   I found my old man knew the difference between a
> "pasture situation" (he ran with the mares) which, BTW, could be anybody's
> pasture-- and arenas, etc.   He never paid mares any attention in the
> "arena" situation.   However,  he might well have considered the endurance
> environment a "pasture"----grin.
>    I am sure there will be more folks more experienced giving you a
> response---this little bit is just my experience.    I was
> chicken and still
> used a running martingale for my own psychological benefit--with the
> snaffle.   I don't know that the martingale made near the difference that
> the snaffle bit did--but I felt comfortable with it anyway.   I have light
> hands and did not put much pressure--especially once we had
> practiced a lot
> with body/leg cues.
>    I wish you luck---stallions are a joy to ride when they
> behave.  Claudia
> (Texas)
> >
>
>