| Check it Out! |
| [Date Prev] | [Date Next] | [Thread Prev] | [Thread Next] |
| [Date Index] | [Thread Index] | [Author Index] | [Subject Index] |
I ride with a French Link on the trail and in the arena the most. All the principles of dressage apply as you go down the trail, too! The French Link is what makes my horse round the best, and I have to work on making him round and use his hindquarters on those "power drives" up the hill, otherwise he'll just string out and lug on his front legs. I compete with the French Link but one time I lost the bit and finished with just the side pull halter without any problems. However, after his first "race" I was seriously considering a bit with more brakes, but he has calmed down. But I have my lazy moments and ride the Arabian S. Hackamore, side pull or rope halter. I'm always mixing direct reining and neck reining with any of the above, including the French Link. Over the years I have been learning to use my seat and legs more to tell him where to go. (The dreaded winter arena time is coming.) He's not confused and doesn't really care what I use! K. -----Original Message----- From: Ruth Abair [mailto:shakesbearides@texoma.net] Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2000 5:33 AM To: ridecamp@endurance.net Subject: RC: Bitting Question - Trail vs Dressage Usage Dear Ridecampers, I have a 5yo Arabian - broken and coming along nicely - I would like to do endurance and "basic" dressage with. Problem; I fear I'm confusing him with the switching of bits for each discipline. He was broken/trained in a snaffle - the one with the nutcracker effect - and I switched him to a Kimberwicke - the "uxeter" - slotted, mullen mouth, minimum leverage model - for the trails. Works good, but is not acceptable for basic dressage. So for the ring, I started using a snaffle with a "french link." It's more comfortable to him than the regular snaffle. Nonetheless, I am fearful he is becoming confused with the switching - signals, feel/pressure, etc. - of bits. How does one switch bits - back and forth - between trail and dressage work, without confusing one's horse? Or do they? All comments are most welcome! Ruth Abair in Texas email: shakesbearides@texoma.net =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
| Check it Out! |