ceej
Administrator 
im back.... :)
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Post by ceej on May 23, 2011 8:30:33 GMT
So harry has been in his bitless for probably a couple of years now and hacking wise its so much better - I have more control when he has the odd pulling moment but schooling I just dont find it as good as I guess it just isnt refined. I have started lunging him in his bridle again (at first he looked like a youngster first trying it - open mouth hoping it will fall out) but he simply works into it better than he would his bitless and softens more readily. Do you think its ok to mix and match or is that awful for him - should I stick with onw (if so Im not sure which I want to go with!)
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Post by spotti on May 23, 2011 8:36:33 GMT
I think it would be ok to use both. He already knows how the bitted bridle works so it shouldn't be too hard for him to remember what you're trying to ask him. As long as he's ok wearing either then he should be ok  . People who ride bitless but compete at dressage must mix and match their bridles as the bitless isn't allowed *rolls eyes* |
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Post by scattymare on May 23, 2011 11:21:17 GMT
Can't see why you should have a problem with using both at all.
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haffyfan
Administrator
is pressing random buttons...sorry guys
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Post by haffyfan on May 23, 2011 18:39:30 GMT
I can't see how it would affect him as he's ysed to both. One of the eventersoften SJ's bitless (is it Andrew Nicholson?) but obviously uses a bit for dressage and the xc phase too.
Is it a DR cook's you use?
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Post by racaille on May 24, 2011 4:45:08 GMT
Ceej, you probably remember that Paco is also in a Dr Cooks? But I use a bitted bridle for lunging as the Dr Cooks is difficult - it's not as though our boys have never known bits, they do know what they are all about.
But I've not had a problem schooling in it. Every session, it takes Paco a while to settle to work, he leans a lot to start with, but if I keep him at it he gives in and holds himself properly. He needs quite a firm contact to start with, with lots of leg, and if he won't play ball I give him a tap with a dressage stick, which reminds him who is boss. But he CAN do it - I won that baby dressage comp last year with the Dr Cooks.
However, go with whatever works for you.
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ceej
Administrator
im back.... :)
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Post by ceej on May 24, 2011 9:20:02 GMT
That is true racs - and yes he is in Dr Cooks.
However, I had a schooling session with just a rubber straight bar yesterday and he was fab - even a few strides in a nice outline and really starting to flex his poll - not so easy in the Dr Cooks as he tends to lean on it which is easy peasy for him - its the way he has always done it...I know it can be done in the bitless of course as it comes from behind not from the bit but he seems to 'get it' better in a bit - its not so easy to lean on on he will work into it rather than leaning on it. I think I will use it for now and when he is a little more consistent and supple, move back to the bitless and move on from there..I do prefer it myself..
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Post by racaille on May 24, 2011 9:23:32 GMT
Well I might try a little schooling sesh with Paco's french link snaffle and see how it goes too . ..... ;D
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. People who ride bitless but compete at dressage must mix and match their bridles as the bitless isn't allowed *rolls eyes*
