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RE: [RC] cruppers - Mcgann, BarbaraLinda, It IS still a training issue. Each time we use a completely new piece of equipment on a horse, we need to train them to accept it. Think of using a back cinch on your horse if you have always ridden english! Yes, they can get used to it, but it takes some training to do it. Put the crupper on him and let him eat with it (preferably in a corral). When he leans forward to eat, it will bump him. When he quits spooking forward eating, then lunge him with the crupper fairly snug. Lunge him in all three gaits and let him get used to the feeling of it coming tight when he rounds his back to canter. Then, and only then, get on him and repeat with a rider. If he will walk calmly, then reach behind you and tug on the crupper while reassuring him its ok. Then do that at a trot and then at a canter (all of this I hope you can do in a round corral, arena, or other safe enclosure). You may be able to do all these steps in one lesson, but it would be better to break it up into several...ending on a good note each time. Only after he will let you do all of this should you ride with the crupper out on trails where it will move with hills, ditches, gaits, etc!! Sincerely, Barb McGann, AERC #840 -----Original Message----- From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Lynda K Thompson Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 1:02 PM To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [RC] cruppers Well, after reading all about using cruppers and breast collars to keep the saddle from moving and the girth from rubbing, I decided to try the crupper--I already use a breast collar. I put the crupper on last Friday and my horse was awful so I decided to ride without it and then put it on him and let him stand for a long time with it on after we rode. Monday I saddle up to ride and put it on and let him stand for a while and then we took off. We walked about 3 miles because of rocky footing and no shoes and he was just fine. When we got to the good footing I asked for a little trot and he did it fine and then he thought he wanted to gallop to catch up and all of a sudden he took off running because the crupper scared him. Needless to say I couldn't stop him and got dumped. I have been riding this horse for two years and it's not a training issue. My question is how to fit the crupper properly so it doesn't sneak up and grab them under the tail when they go into a different gait? Will he eventually get used to having it there and not be scared? Is there something special I can do to get him used to it faster? Thanks for the help. Lynda ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! ============================================================ The very essence of our sport is doing the trail as quickly as practicable, while keeping one's horse fit to continue. Taking the clock out of the equation makes it another sport altogether. The challenge is how to keep the sport what it is while honing our skills (both as riders and as those in control roles) in detecting where "the edge" is for each horse so that we don't cross it. ~ Heidi Smith ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================ ===========================================================I drink a 50/50 mix of rootbeer and soymilk at the vetchecks. ~ Libby Llop ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ===========================================================
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