I rode Amber today. Tried a new bit - copper roller D. She seemed to like it, but was a little more mouthy than I would personally like for dressage, but it doesn't matter because that bit is illegal in the dressage arena anyway.
Really it was mostly to see how she liked copper. Personally, I think that's what made her so mouthy on it, but I think I might try a smooth copper bit Tuesday to see if it was the rollers that made her that way. Then I can see if she really likes the copper.
She wasn't as good as she has been, but the covered arena is always no fun to ride in because it's so small. She's not really fit yet, so the tight corners were not fun for her. She stretched down and was nice on the long sides, just not on the sharp turns.
She did have two decent little spooks when a bunch of water came rushing down off the roof (I guess some leaves or something backed it up and dislodged suddenly). She just scooted forward. Casey said it's the first time she's ever seen her spook.
I think it might just be the cold weather that's got her so "looky". Jack was like that too in the winter.
But it was raining, windy, and Amber really hasn't been in the indoor a whole lot, so she got a thumbs up from me anyway. I was able to get her back after the spooks pretty fast.
Forgot to try on those blankets, but my full size bridle fits her. The noseband would be a little loose some might stay, but I do not like to crank my nosebands tight. I like to get one finger in there. Because...tying a horse's mouth shut is NOT how to put them on the bit. Just my stand.
Think I might clip her a bridle path Tuesday if Casey doesn't mind.
So I'm still on the search for a good bit for her that will be dressage legal. I'm just going to use a plain old Hunter D for hunter shows. I don't want to get her too collected at those! And the bits I'm looking at for dressage are bits that I hope are going to get her really soft. She's got a sensitive mouth though. She definitely didn't need that corkscrew.
Loose Ring Sweet Iron/Copper Single Joint
Oval Link Loose Ring W/ Copper Oval
Loose Ring Sweet Iron French Link
These are the bits I'm considering for her dressage work. I just avoid copper because I know that I hate the way it tastes (yes I taste my bits). Then again, grain tastes bad (except sweet feed), but the horses like it.
I'm kind of partial to the sweet iron/copper because then the sweet iron rusts, it will balance the tart taste of the copper.
I'm also very partial to the french link. Less keen on the oval link.
I may buy both the french and the copper/sweet and test them out.
My guys like an eggbutt oval link snaffle. I like the eggbutt because it makes the bit steadier in the horse's mouth and is less likely to pinch at the corners. Some people prefer the loose ring because the bit will move more independently side to side as the rein is used.
ReplyDeleteI looked at one of those, actually. That's what I had on Jack, except french rather than oval. Amber seems to be turning out to be a 'less is more' horse, so I'm thinking a loose ring might be most suitable for her.
ReplyDeleteI always order 1/2 an inch up to avoid pinching anyway. ;)