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chapsi
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« on: August 06, 2003, 11:23:52 PM » |
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I'm in the middle of a horse training predicament, I don't know what to do. Here it goes:
- since I bought my horse, he has been ridden on a Pessoa Happy Mouth bit. My instructor keeps on moaning that my horse is rigid, and that with such a light bit I cannot force him to get collected, that he does not want to put extra effort, and that his current bit helps him to evade serious work. So, apart from moaning, he has been AGAIN insisting on me shortening the reins "to compress the spring", which means, to make him bend his neck and engage his legs under his body (but in a forceful way, if you want my opinion).
I am all in for collection, subtlety, but I also prefer to keep light hands and to let him plod along happily, instead of being miserable or resisting my hands.
However, because my instructor was moaning against the present bit, I took the lead to propose a mullen pelham, as suggested by Heather. We discussed whether to get a jointed or a mullen (obviously my instructor prefers the jointed, he reckons the mullen is harsher), but I argued against the nut-cracker effect. In fact, because Happy Mouth also do mullen pelhams (not as thick as the vulcanite), we settled for it.
But, I ought to add, that I asked for double rein, just as recommended in EE's book and at its latest seminar. He said 'no way' as I am too inexperienced for it; that double reins are just for experienced refined riders, for those who can action with their fingers both reins independantly, that my hands are not ready, that the horse would strongly object to it, probably he would rear!!! Other guys at the yard said the same thing. Is it true, that my horse would object? I wouldn't be able to ride in lightness? that one has to use both reins independantly? that after all double reins are difficult to use?
- Now, comes the second part, what is making me very confused and concerned. My vet came yesterday, and he is one of the best in the country. My vet is an open minded bloke, with him I can talk about many issues, discarded by other riders as ridiculous.
Anyway, then he examined Pégaso, said that the horse has made a wonderful recovery, both physically and psychologically within a year, but expressed his view that my horse is underworked, that his back (along the spine) lacks muscle, and typical of a horse like that, his neck is stiff and sore. Hence, he needs to be worked in ways to develop muscle in that region. He recommended me to work him in the lunge in a freely manner, and to be ridden with a stretched neck.
In his point of view, in order to develop further his back muscles, he ought to stretch his neck, to work in a relaxed manner. At this stage he does not recommend any collecting exercises, not until his back is toned and muscled; to ride him in contact, but to allow him to keep his neck stretched at the same time; no harsher bits too, as they will cause him to drop his chin towards the chest, strengthening the poll muscles, something which will not produce the desired affect, because instead, he'll just underdevelop his lower neck, at a risk of developing "ewe's neck", a common condition in hispanic horses, due to harsher bits. So he says.
I am so confused, specially now that my instructor is insisting on collection and that we were changing his bit. What the vet said made sense, in particular whilst explaining his back complexion. But this is going against the type of training that the instructor has been doing with him, or that he wants me to do (change bits, shorten reins, do lots of circle work to bend the horse). On the other hand, this is also going against changing his bit for the time being.
I honestly respect this vet, and I do not want to damage or to chastise my horse. Is the vet right? is the instructor right? what do you say to that?
Cheers,
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