RC: RE: RM / Bits, etc

["Kristene Smuts" <Ksmuts@sarcc.co.za>]

OK Jim and Angie and everybody else, I agree with you that you need to get your training down BEFORE going out on trail.  If I say that I can do the things on your combined lists, but STILL have an extremely competitive horse, what would you say?

I've noticed that Ibn will take up a challenge from certain horses but from others not - a "I like you, but not you" kinda thing (other people have picked up the same from their horses, BTW, so I'm not unique).  If the challenge is there, he'll accept.

The hope that I'm clinging onto right now is that with mileage and wet saddles (his AND mine ;-)) ) he will learn that he can get tired.  Last year was his first year - we did 30s - and he finished fitter than I thought - we had some arguments, which made me decide to do 80s to show him that he CAN get tired.

So, stopping with seat and a "thought" .....yeah works in the arena, but not in that "I'm gonna kick yer ass" mode.  I'd appreciate any suggestions on how I can fix that mind of his, although I think a lobotomy - his, not mine - will be detrimental when we need that competitive edge in the future.

Kristene from a very sunny, hot South Africa (sorry, had to get the dig in!)