ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] wild starts

[endurance] wild starts

Betsy O'Shea (boshea@magic1.org)
Wed, 27 Mar 1996 12:24:02 -0600

I have a wild start problem with my boy but have been given some helpful
tips from the list. This is a totally laid back guy that the vets love to
work on EXCEPT at a competitive ride where he is a nut at the check in, and
for the first hour, and at most P & R. The TEAM stuff has helped. Wacking
him once with crop and yelling at him helps but I have to be careful where I
do that so as not to upset other horses. He walks very fast and has a trot
that can pass everyone, which is what HE wants to do. So I spend a lot of
time in training for attention - and even have to do it frequently on a ride
where I will do figure 8's, shoulder in, half pass, etc and transitions.
Endurance people may not be able to do this because it might take a lot out
of the horse but I find it helps on competitive rides. I have also been
through a boatload of bits too. Things I find helpful are running
martingale, broken snaffle pelham)which I always use in cross country
jumping, for control) and on most rides using converters, and kimberwick
with straight bar and port. my newest bit is a segunda kimberwick which
horrified me at first but is better designed and kinder than the uxeter
kimberwick.(in my opinion) The thing that helped the most was taking him to
a veterinary acupuncturists who helped me try to get inside this horse's
head. So this can be complex issue.
Betsy O'Shea
boshea@magic1.org
Paola,Kansas