Re: RC: Any English riders out there?

[Lynne Glazer <lynne@glazer.org>]

At 9:20 AM -0600 12/10/01, Lynette wrote:
>
>  > I use Wintec Webbers instead of stirrup leathers--they're single
>>  layer with a loop on top for slipping onto the stirrup bars.  Can't
>>  imagine going back to conventional leathers after years in these.
>
>Does Wintec have a website? What catalogs do you get? All my 
>catalogs, exect for Millers are western.

Stateline sells Wintec Webbers.  Mary's Tack does also: 
http://www.marystack.com

>  >
>  > Some horses like neoprene--I've only had good luck with those made by
>>  Ortho-flex.  You'd have to find one used now, or on eBay perhaps.
>
>I have an western neoprene cinch made by Ortho-flex. I had problems 
>with my horses swelling up with it. I have also had that problem 
>with the cotton cinches and swelling because of the skin getting 
>pinched. And those were expenses cinches.  

One thing you *must* get used to doing: after the girth is tight, ask 
your horse to yield each front leg, and pick the knee up so it is 
parallel to the ground, then gently let it down.  This will remove 
the skin folds or pinches from underneath the girth.

I've gotten girth galls exactly twice in my riding life, once with a 
neo OF and once with my RP CE, and in both cases I had failed to 
"pull legs" after girthing.  Arrgh.

OF girths don't work for everyone, that's true.  But there is no 
better quality neoprene out there, IMO.  So don't bother trying 
another brand.  Your guy might not like the synthetic Wintec girth 
either.

>  >
>>  In any case, you want "roller buckles" on your girth.
>>
>>  Wintec makes a $30 one with hidden elastic in the center, that works
>>  well for a friend who rides in one of our RP saddles.  It's easy to
>>  overtighten a girth that has elastic and roller buckles.  Elastic
>>  allows the horse to take deep breaths without being constrained, but
>>  be careful evaluating girths with elastic at the end--they can pinch
>>  and the elastic can wear out.
>>
>>  Some of us even use leather girths--I do, but it's made of the
>>  material inside ballet shoes, and I have to clean it daily so it
>>  retains its softness.  I use it because it has elastic in the center
>>  and a wide belly plate, cut in at the elbow for clearance.
>
>I not only ride, but I have three daughters that ride with me. I 
>can't imagine finding the time to clean cinches everytime we ride. 
>So I know that leather would not work for me, in fact I have been 
>trying to stay away from leather because of the time factor. 
>Although I really like leather. ;-)

It takes me 10 minutes to clean my girth, but I understand about time 
being at a premium.  Today my riding buddy's horse and mine got 
caught in hip deep *quicksand* in our riverbottom.  Talk about sand 
*everywhere*!  And we're SO done crossing the river till spring, when 
the rains are finished and the bottom is stable again.  But I 
digress.  I wasn't talking about river baths in 50 degree 
weather...or how friends had assured us that all the main crossings 
were fine, and how the first three were fine... <g>
>
>  > Arabs generally have low palates, so thick bits can be a problem.
>>  Some do better in mullen mouths (more like a straight bar, with a low
>>  port for tongue relief.)  Personally, I've found that the Myler
>>  hackamore works best for my mare, who is strong at the starts--well,
>>  not like she used to be, but it is indeed insurance.  I use the one
>>  with a soft leather cover over a chain; it's got "S" shanks, but
>>  unlike the popular "S" hackamore in use, the curb chain actually is
>>  in the proper position for Arabians.  The "S" shanks are effectively
>>  shorter, so that the horse can drink from shallower puddles than what
>>  a Sliester hackamore with long shanks would allow.  They're also
>>  handier for drinking from stock tanks and eating hay or other chow
>>  along the way.
>
>I started my arab, Apache, on the little S hackamore. He went great 
>in it in the first year. But them he figured out he could do what 
>ever he wanted in it. So I steadily lost control. He was young at 
>the time. So I switched to a twisted snaffle bit that I had. He goes 
>pretty good in that, but he gets sores from the bit on the corners 
>of his mouth, I have to put vet wrap on the bit to keep from soring 
>him. So he has a very sensitive mouth, and I need a different bit. 
>He absolutly hates the curb bits that I have tried on him. Fights me 
>every step of the way. 
>I am very curious about your statement about the little "S" 
>hackamore curb chain being in the wrong position for Arabs, could 
>you please explain that further?

I rode TWHs for many years for show, pleasure and instructed with 
them in handicapped riding.  There is a *place* behind the chin where 
a curb chain is supposed to sit to be most effective.  The place 
they're hung on the "Arabian S Hack" is too high.  Therefore the curb 
IMHO doesn't work the way it's supposed to.

I have better "reflexes" with a curb than with a snaffle after all 
those years riding with a curb, and it irks me to not have that tiny, 
pinpoint control.

I don't like twisted bits, in general.  He might be happy in a mullen 
mouth.  IMO, the curb bits are not for babies.  I'd work on finding a 
bit he likes, like maybe the French or the mullen mouth. 

Made some big ole mistakes along the way, like trying a vosal. 
Absolutely the wrong thing for my particular horse.  She'd just brace 
her neck against it, and all my direct reining instincts were 
completely ineffective.  Her second ride ever, at 5, was an LD in 
that vosal, and boy did she take me for a ride.  :-P  I traded it to 
my friend for her Morab mare, of completely different temperament, 
and 1,000 miles later, I think it's working for her.

Lynne
windy SoCal