Double vision
I have put Jazz in a double bridle for the first time,and he really took to it. I was able to ride him on the bradoon (snaffle, why do they have a different name for it when it's with a double?!?!) and then just bring the curb into action when he resisted. It was more successful than I could possibly have hoped, because I haven't been that proficient with a double myself in the past - all those reins!
I bought cheapo £8.80 one-sided rubber reins from RideAway just to see what it would be like. They are a bit short, but they were fine, especially for that little money. I already had a Rhingold double that I bought off years ago and have been using as a snaffle by removing the sliphead.
He has really got flying change from left lead to right lead. He's loving doing it, so we only did two. From right to left he is finding it harder, but I am absolutely certain that some of that is me. I realised that I find it harder to keep my weight to the outside (on the lead) when counter cantering to the left (on the right lead). He changes behind when he hasn't been asked, and I'm pretty sure that's because I am shifting my weight a tiny bit. As Jean says, this will teach me precision!
C
posted by cptrayes @ 11:32 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
It really is amazing how quickly you can discover all your riding flaws as your horse gets more and more trained. Many people simply could not ride PJ on his left (I think) lead once he learned to change. Due to an old track injury, he preferred the right and so, would be ever so slightly crooked. He'd get his rider into the off lead position and switch. I learned how to "commit" to the lead I wanted because of him.
Now, generally--with some exception--getting the correct lead on most horses I've ridden is not a problem. It will be interesting to see what happens when I finally start to get the changes on Tucker.
Love the double. I find the pelham kind of a problematic bit in comparison. With the double, you have a choice--curb or no curb. The pelham always has a curb action of some sort just by its construction.
Here in the US, you cannot use a double in the dressage arena until 3rd level, I think. (Haven't looked at the new rule book) That's the level here where the flying change first comes into competition.
It's our third level for an optional double - elementary (after prelim and novice). On the other hand Prelim is a level where you can't earn points, so maybe it is only level 2 in your scales? Because elementary has no flying changes, they don't come in until medium. Maybe I'm lucky I can use one earlier, because it really does suit him.
Zippy is in Seville and resting up for 2 days before being picked up by the new owner's vet and ferried to Tenerife. Nearly there Zippy, nearly there....
C
I agree with Jean about pelhams - they really can't sit right for a correct snaffle and curb action at the same time - and the jointed pelhams a lot of people in the hunter/jumper world use are even worse (or Tom Thumbs or other jointed curb bits in the Western world) - you can't give a proper cue with one.
It really sounds like your work is progressing well! As Jean says, we can trust our horses to point our our flaws, if we'll listen to what they say!
I am reading the post and the comments carefully. One day we will do flying changes too. I wonder if you tend to sit left because of all the years you rode Tetley. He makes me sit left. I can see it in all of our pictures and movies. Did you ever ride Tetley in a double? I think he would take to it too but I have too many other things I have to think about first and get right before I try a double. Years ago (like 25!) I rode in a double so I have had some experience with them.
Like you Kate, I cannot see how a jointed pelham can possibly be the right bit for any problem. The joint negates the poll pressure. The curb makes the joint desperately severe into the top of the mouth and on the corners. It's a mess of a bit!
I did ride Tetley in a double, ML. The problem with him when he was younger was that he would fight bits to the point of hurting himself - the curb chain actually made him bleed under his chin - I was mortified. But in a snaffle, he would give himself an ulcer in front of his bottom tooth before he would submit to the bit. Only schooling over a long, loooooonnnnggggg winter when he was 6 coming up 7 cured him of it and from then on he went perfectly in a snaffle.
It was an early habit of mine - 25 years ago, to sit left and then stop the saddle tipping left by leaning right! No-one told me I was doing it and it's taken me years to get reasonably straight, but the changes highlight just what you are doing, as Jean says.
C
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