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Cryapakah
Silver Member
278 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 4:14:15 PM
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I've been mean to khan and have been so strong in the hands that he has nasty mouth ulcers and cuts from the bit! 
So I am looking into getting him a bitless bridle that won't cause him any harm or pain with my strong hands!
I am going to be having lessons now and start on trying to use my seat instead of the reins. But I don't want to hurt his mouth when hes healed! (as I think it might take a while for me to get used to using my seat!)
Hes in a english hackamore for now.
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ashabarab
Gold Member
England
1378 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 4:45:38 PM
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l was always taught that you need very good hands for a bitless bridle...as heavy hands can do real damage there
a bitless bridle works by cutting off the air supply
be carefull
ash |
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ACGODFREY
Silver Member
United Kingdom
440 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 4:54:26 PM
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I'm afraid I agree - bitless bridles exert pressure on either nose, poll, face depending on what type you get, and can elicit very severe responses from the horse so I really do not think the answer is bitless. Whatever you use, I would suggest a reasonable length balance strap attached to the Ds on the saddle, or a neck strap, to hook your little fingers on each hand (or I suppose your hand as if it were a rein) through while riding to prevent excess hand movement.
Good luck and I hope your poor boy heals ok. |
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MinHe
Platinum Member
England
2927 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 6:53:29 PM
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English hackamores are fairly kind, so a good choice - a Kineton noseband is another option, but can be *too* kind, and the horse ignores it (been there, had the "oh sh*****TTT!" T-shirt  )!
Don't try a German hackamore - you could stop a Panzer brigade with one hand tied behind your back with one of those evil objects
Keren |
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Deboniks
Platinum Member
England
3776 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 7:01:51 PM
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Hi
Firstly well done!
To make an honest statement like....
I've been mean to khan and have been so strong in the hands that he has nasty mouth ulcers and cuts from the bit!
.... on an open forum take courage!
I'm glad you have realised what's happened to your horses mouth and you are doing the right thing by looking for a better option
There is a thread about riding bitless on the public forum which might interest you
Good luck with whatever you decide is best for your horse |
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Suelin
Platinum Member
England
2514 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 8:37:45 PM
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I agree with MinHe. English hackamores are quite kind. Didn't suit Ollie when competing as he just pulled against it. (see other thread) Lol Keren regarding the brigade of Panzers But you're right! |
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Cryapakah
Silver Member
278 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 8:49:31 PM
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ACGODFREY, Its not that my hands move but its the pressure I apply with half-halts and pulling to stop.
Keren
I wouldn't know how to get a german hackamore on! Lol at the kineton, I'm expecting something similar when we get going in the english hacakmore!
Deboniks
I haven't got a problem with telling people that I did was wrong! They might help correct it What I did was Sausage abuse! Poor ponio
Will see how he goes in the hackamore and will let you know if we survive or not |
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Karon
Gold Member
England
1411 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 11:39:29 AM
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OK, don't shoot me down in flames here but I'd say that if you're causing sores with a bit in then you're not ready to ride bitless. You can damage the nose just as well as you can damage the mouth - you need to learn to be lighter with your hands and use your seat to half halt as well as your hands. There are stories - maybe apocryphal though - about people breaking a horse's jaw with a hackamore. I can ride my oldest (Ash) - who can get very strong - on a long rein bitless and do shoulder in and leg yield just off my seat and legs. And I'm not a fantastic rider, either!
Lessons are definitely the starting point and then decide whether to go back to bitted or not. I see your point about using the hackamore while his mouth is healing, though, and he might prefer being bitless too. I know Ash does, she's almost uncontrollable in a bit but even in a scawbrig is pretty easy to ride.
I found using an English hackamore on a very flighty horse made a huge difference to the control I had - most of the time I could ride her on a long rein but she respected the hackamore's brakes when really needed (rare once she went bitless though). I'm not sure they're that kind TBH (compared to the sidepull for instance) but are certainly better than a German hackamore.
I ride my two younger ones in a scawbrig and a sidepull all the time, but they have a much milder action than the english hackamore. Not the best bet for a horse that pulls though, in my experience.
Another thought but what bit were you using? Once his mouth has healed would he benefit from a change of bit? If you were using a snaffle then perhaps change to something that works in a different way such as a pelham - once you've learnt how to ride off seat and legs more! - or a Myler bit of some sort. He might not be as strong in that and then you might not need to be strong with your hands in return.
Oh, and make sure you've got your hackamore fitted high enough - they don't work by cutting off the air supply but certainly could if it's fitted too low.
Having said all that, good luck with the hackamore and have fun with the lessons! You've been brave admitting that you've done something wrong and are looking to correct it. And don't try a scawbrig on a strong horse unless you want to be part of Keren's OH SH*******T brigade Done that with Ash on a 25 mile endurance ride with no gates or roadwork on it - no brakes for the whole ride!! That's when I went for a hackamore for her for most riding |
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Pixie
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
6586 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 12:45:08 PM
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i agree with Karon in that you need develop your seat and leg aids more and thus your hands should become lighter and more independent. A good teacher will help you with this
I would add the following though - just to add a few more thoughts
is the bit actually long enough
is the bit too thick/too thin
has your horse got chapped skin due to the change in weather conditions
is the bit at the correct height
can you put vaseline on the sores when his/her mouth as got better - and give it time - and put vaseline on the bit as well
Probably the above is not helpful but just some ideas.
Wishing you good luck and happy riding
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Cryapakah
Silver Member
278 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 8:36:16 PM
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Karon
Khans in a normal thin metal french linked hanging cheek snaffle. My mates mom (knows everything) fitted the bit as I'm not 100% sure.
We had a good look at his mouth today and have discovered its a bit odd (the shape and his back teeth are bit further down than they should be!). But his jaw is completely bruised, cuts all over it and its basically a mess. So now I'm wondering is the bit just too strong altogether?
Anyone had any use with happy mouths?
Was going to ride him today but it was too windy to try something new! Hopefully I can tomorrow! |
Edited by - Cryapakah on 23 Oct 2008 8:37:53 PM |
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precious
Platinum Member
England
2253 Posts |
Posted - 24 Oct 2008 : 09:52:22 AM
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I ride my very lively mare in a happy mouth straight bit. I tried to use the gentlist bit as i have tried hackamore but i paniced too much as she didnt listen to it at all and i was worried about cutting off air. Fran my mare doenst listen to much bits at all so less is better for me in a bit.
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Gemma Thompson
Birmingham West Midlands
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Cryapakah
Silver Member
278 Posts |
Posted - 28 Oct 2008 : 9:20:43 PM
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The vet was out yesterday and Khan has got a bruised mouth, but it should be healed by the end of the week.
I'm wondering if anyone near Henley-In-Arden way has a spare 5" snaffle, straight or jointed happy mouth that I could try Khan in before I actually buy one.
Thanks :) |
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Jilly
Platinum Member
England
2431 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2008 : 2:38:05 PM
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Hi, I agree with Debonicks, it's great you trust us enough to ask the question.
Personally I would take him right back to the begining and teach him the voice commands from the floor, I assume he is pulling at your hands when you are asking for halt and is basically trying to pull away from the pain, I definately wouldn't be trying to ride him at all untill you have his full attention at walk, halt, trot and so on either by lungeing or long riening. Once he is familiar with the voice commands try again with someone leading you on a very loose rien and ask for everything with your voice, again once he is understanding of your commands add the aids from leg through to hand still using your voice as you do this, IE, take up a light contact, say walk on, and at the same time squeeze.
I always use thier names for upward transitions, ie, Warrior, walk on. And the word and, for downward transitions, ie, and walk. Once he is understanding of the aids you can use your voice commands less and less. Goos luck, and ultimately take it slowly for the best results.
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