New saddle!

It's here! My saddle was supposed to be delivered today and came about the time I got off work.  I stopped by Legacy to pick up a pair of latigos use the center-fire riggingm then hurried home and opened my giant package in the middle of the living room!

As soon as I got it out, I had to find a place to set it to get a good look at it.  Trevor wasn't too pleased about where I put it... especially when I swung my leg over it to see how it felt to sit in - with my boots still on since there of course was no time to take them off.

It felt like it might work, even though I already knew it was a bit too big.  I truly should be using a 15", but I think I can make a 16" work.  Plus, it's not as cushy as my sister's English saddle (the one that fits Snickers but definitely doesn't fit me), so I'll be happy to get a pad on there ASAP.

I was pleased with the irons, though.  I wasn't sure what I was going to get along with the saddle, but the irons are pretty wide and should buy me time until I can afford to go get a pair of wester EZ Ride stirrup.  Turns out, she sent a latigo and whatnot for the saddle as well, but at least half of it wouldn't have worked for the center-fire rigging and I liked having the new latigos anyway :)  The one that was sent was actually the same kind I bought as well.  I attached the latigos and tied them up, then grabbed the rest of my tack and was on my way out to try it on!

I went out and got Snickers, who is doing much better coming to me.  I don't walk to him - I just simply wait for him to voluntarily come to me.  This is my game now ;)

I brushed him down and made him look pretty because I wanted to take lots of pictures to put online and check and see how the saddle fits.  After I got him all pretty, it was time to saddle up!  First, I set the saddle on without a pad to check fit.  I ran my hand underneath and it seemed to make contact all the way down the back.  Of course, it's always hard for me to tell what I'm feeling in the middle of the saddle :S  However, from all appearances, it seemed to me it was fitting correctly.

Then, I added the pad and cinch and saddled up!  I had to mess with the center-fire rigging and the HAF pad to get them to work together.  I almost wonder if it's worth trying to get them to work.  I'm going to try out the Skito dressage pad that I also have and see how it goes.  

Of course, Snickers had to check out the goods, too :)

Then, I put on his new convertible headstall and it was up for the ride!!

I did like the feel of the saddle and felt I could move around and wasn't put in an awkward position.  I'm excited to see what Erica things about it and if it helps with my riding.  I sure hope so.  Beyond that, I was trying to focus on the things Erica had pointed out - however, from these pictures, I can see that I was still clearly leaning forward.  Plus, it's hard to evaluate a saddle when you're trying to put all the disconnected pieces together and just ride at all.  I think it'll work, though, and seemed much better than my sister's ill-fitting English saddle.  It's nice to be back in a western-type saddle again.  I'm hoping that it'll fit just perfectly once I get a seat cushion in there.  I think I can make it work as-is, but since I'm now aware of the things I need to fix, I definitely don't want my saddle working against me.

It did seem like either the saddle or the pad shifted as it seems often happens with him...  However, it seemed like the cinch did stay in the same place.  I'll have to explore what works best.  I hope I don't have to buy another pad, though :S  I'm going to try my Skito dressage pad next time and see how that works.

Finally, I  tried on the drop noseband I'm working on for Snickers (at Erica's recommendation).  It seemed pretty close to perfect, though I wasn't too pleased with Snickers drooling all over it.  He's such a good sport about me sticking all these things on him haha.  Poor Snickers!

Finally, I unsaddled, brushed, and blanketed Snickers before putting him away.  Both he and Flash were very excited about their mash today and went at it like crazy.  I fed them (and found another one of Flash's front teeth!) and said my goodbyes.  I didn't get a picture of it, but I do have a VERY dirty palomino at the moment!  Oh well, he can stay dirty a bit longer haha :)

Last but not least, I started a forum here to see what people could tell me about the fit of the saddle just from the pictures.  So far, everyone seems to think it's a good fit!  Maybe I'll finally find the end of my saddle woes!  Yay!!

Humbled and Exhausted

Yesterday, I finally had my lesson with the trainer I had originally found.  Her name is Erica Webster, and I am completely impressed.  I think this is going to really work out :)  By the end of our lesson, I felt humbled and exhausted.  However, it wasn't because she was hard on me or anything - she was very kind but also very attentive to what I needed to correct.  She added layer upon layer for what I needed to do to improve my riding and work with Snickers.  I made myself type up a list of all the things I remembered late last night so that I wouldn't forget anything (though I'm sure I did miss a few things).

We started off by having her check the saddle I've been using for fit.  She had me run my hand underneath and explained that the fit with this saddle shouldn't be anything to worry about.  For comparison, I went and got the saddle that sored up his back last fall - the difference was clear.  Especially when she put even a little bit of pressure on the saddle, and I couldn't even get my hand in between the saddle and the muscles just below his wither.  I feel so bad for him having to have that saddle all year :(  I wonder if some of that tightness comes from his shoulder developing, but I don't think it ever truly fit.  Just looking at it, she pointed out how it "perched" on his back rather than fit in with it like the other saddle.  In addition, she said the saddle was so tiny it might even be a child's saddle, so it never really fit me either!

So then we got all saddled up and ready to go.  I made a new convertible headstall to use instead of the halter/sidepull/bridle converter.  I might just use this one for endurance, too.  I really like it and I used some black and a different green in it :)  I couldn't find my under-bridle halter, though, so I ended up having to use my Zilco halter instead.  The combination worked really well though and looked great.  I'm very happy with it :)  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a very good picture, but I'll try again today or tomorrow.

We started out working on me.  Most of the lesson was at a walk, which was great because I really needed that stability to figure out how I was moving.  She observed a lot of things that I'm doing that aren't doing me or Snickers many favors.  Here's the list just on my posture:

• don't lean forward
• roll shoulders back, straighten back, relax
• my tension translates to Snickers (and I'm riding pretty tense)
• lengthen leg and lower heel - I need to do some exercises on the stairs to help with this
• fighting my saddle - it isn't doing me any favors, either.  I'm really excited to get my new saddle for our next lesson
• eyes up - I tend to watch his head
• tuck my belly in and don't hallow my back
• plumb line from ear, shoulder, him, heel
• sit balanced so I can't get pushed over
• I need a relaxed knee and thigh with my calf on his side like I'm reaching around his body - that's where my stability should come from.
• Stop twisting right side forward and dropping left side down - we ride how we drive. When se said that, I realized I was in big trouble haha.  Speaking of which, I'm sitting like that now.  Quit it!!
• putting more weight on the left
• Don't post forward

As for Snickers, she really helped with the bit issues and giving a fresh perspective:

• Snickers messing with bit and acting up from boredom.  He's a very "busy" horse in her words (which I already knew), but he's doing various things like messing with the bit and "spooking" just because he's bored.  For example, he spooked at a lot of cars going past, which he's done occasionally but usually settles down.  She pointed out that during all of this, even chomping and grinding on the bit with his lips pulled back and when he "spooked", he still had a soft eye and didn't really give the expression of actually being in pain or scared.  Interesting.... Smart horse.  And busy horse.  I told her I really don't know why I liked him so much and why I bought him, and he can frustrate the crap out of me sometime, but I keep coming back to him.  Maybe it's because we really do have so much in common haha.  This observation added to that even more.
• I need to give him something to do
• stretchy circles (asking him for a smaller and larger circle, which helps both of us focus on something to do, improving our communication, and keeps him busy).
• shoulder in (I struggled with this, but was improving and it'll come with time)
• any head tossing/acting up = leg.  Enough is enough and he just needs to accept it
• When he starts wandering into the fence: plant inside leg and drop inside hip, then give leg with the outside.  I really need to anchor myself with that inside foot.
• his head can meet me halfway
• She suggested using a flash noseband to teach him to accept the bit and keep his mouth closed.  Since he's not in pain, it could be useful (and I wouldn't tighten it very much).  I think I'll go ahead and make my own.

Snickers did start settling in and behaving much better, but I needed to adjust how I was using my hands:

• firm outside hand - I decided on a rein length and put my hand at the front of my pad, which both anchored me and him since he had consistency to work with and understand.
• half halt inside hand - he was really starting to soften up after a bit and get it, especially when I started getting the inside hand combined with the outside leg correctly
• don't cross hand over neck - when I want to cross over, pull my hand out instead of in.
• don't let reins slip through - my arms are elastic and I need to have a firm grip on the reins.

I was very satisfied with the lesson and she was an excellent instructor.  I think this is going to be an excellent relationship - and I am going to do my best to tip her when possible.  She definitely deserves it.

Oh, and did I mention she and I are almost the same age?  I think I'm just a few weeks older than her, in fact.  However, her age is definitely no limit on her knowledge and ability as an instructor.  It is quite a plus, though, to finally have someone I enjoy working with that is a little closer to my own age.  Anyway, I really like her, and thus far would highly recommend her to anyone interested in lessons of any style!  Her resume is quite impressive...  Here's what she had to say from the initial ad I found her on:

From her ad on NewHorse.com:

I am a 3-day Eventer with a soild Pony Club background, I have been through both the USPC and the CPC system. I believe that Dressage (flat work) is the foundation to all riding and training. And gives you a solid foundation to build on. I have ridden with trainers such as: George Morris, Nick Holm-Smith, Adrienne Lyle, Barb Soley and Brain Morton. I have spent more of my time training or re-training young horses, then I have competing. I hope to change that some day. I have trained and schooled horses to the CC* level. I have also spent time in Holland at Brinkman Sport Horses, working with KWPN stallions and talented sport horses alike. I ride both English and western. Even though my background is English I still enjoy cutting, reining and driving. Along with Pony Club, I was also in 4H for over ten years. Where I showed livestock and competed in western gaming. Cross training is a great way to exercise you and your horses mind. It gets you both doing something new and exciting. I am willing to work with both English and western riders alike . And help them achieve their goals. I believe that I can help give you and your horse good and solid fundamentals to build on. And also challenges the more experienced horse and rider. I know from years of trainers and lessons how important it is to find a instructor that fits you and your horse. You have to click with your instructor, like you do with your horse. Finding someone that works well with you and your horse is one of the most important things.. I believe that you can never stop learning. If you have any questions I would love to talk to you. Erica Cowgirloftheusa@yahoo.com

New Saddle!

I FINALLY GOT A SADDLE!!!

First of all, thank you PH :) You really have no idea what this means to me.

Anyway...

A few of you are familiar with my soreness issues. After completing our first 50 (for a total of 125 miles last hear with LD's and the 50), Snickers came up SORE. And showed signs of grey hairs coming in on his shoulders. My heart sank - both because he hurt so bad and because I didn't know what I was going to do since I probably wasn't going to be able to afford a saddle. That was last July. After that, per the ride vet's recommendation, he had 6 weeks with no riding, a few tune-up rides, and did superbly in an LD 2 months later in a borrowed saddle that I believed fit. However, he almost hit the ground when we checked his back. He's such a trooper - he didn't show any signs of being uncomfortable or being upset until the vet check.

That was the end of our endurance season. I gave him 3 months of with basically no riding (I did jump on bareback for 5 minutes a few times in the second half of that time). And of course, since then, it's been very cold and wintery and I've been beating myself up trying to figure out this saddle issue. No matter what I did, I just didn't see a way to compete this season the way I wanted to. The saddles I did think would work were far out of my budget and we're currently trying to get money back in the bank since I've been student teaching and haven't had any income. My poor husband, who doesn't ride and is actually afraid of horses, has been SO supportive through it all, trying to make sure we had money for me to pay for my horses (I have two) and then compete on top of that. It's hard to explain to a non-horse person why one must have a saddle in the neighborhood of $1,500, and when it comes down to it, our family needs to come first.

The other day, I was talking to one of my friends, an expert in the field of endurance, and she said she uses Big Horns. She loves them and they fit most horses she's worked with, so I'm really hoping it fits mine. I knew those were less expensive, and after calling the company, I figured out which model I liked (of course it's the same one as my friend has). Then, I posted the thread about Big Horns, and moments realized later that this was the exact saddle PH was selling! And then my husband said he'd be ok with the price! Now, it's paid for and I'm trying so hard not to just explode while I'm waiting for it! I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that this is the end of my saddle woes and that I'll finally get to ride without stressing that I'm hurting my horse - lately, I've been limited to only very occasional rides and keeping them to less than a half hour and not really working, but rather just going for a quick trot/walk in the arena so as not to injure him. With a fitting saddle, I can actually do what I love again!

>sosososososoexcited<

It's a 16", so just a tad big (I think a 15" would fit me), but I can get creative with seat cushions and whatnot to make it fit.  In any case, it'll definitely be big enough to fit Trevor when he's ready, and for the price ($250), I think I can make do if it fits Snickers.  That's the most important thing.  I'll have to figure out the stirrups, and I think it'll work just fine with my HAF pad.  Worst case scenario, I'm sure I can get my money back out of it if it just doesn't work at all.

Here's the info from the manufacturer's site:

Big Horn endurance front synthetic saddle in two seat sizes and your choice of Brown or Black

No. A0117 – 16" Seat, Black
Tree: Fiberglass covered wood tree, 12" endurance front, semi-quarter horse bars.
Cantle: 4" with 1 1/2" Cheyenne roll cantle binding.
Seat: 15" or 16" grain out, padded.
Horn: N/A.
Gullet Width: Narrow Plus.
Gullet Height: 6 1/4.
Rigging: Western–style Center Fire, stainless steel ring and dees.
Skirts: (No. 118 & 117) 26" x 10 1/2", round, fleece lined, with bound edges.
(No. 120 & 119) 25" x 14", round, fleece lined, with bound edges.
Fenders: 17 1/2" x 7 1/2" nylon, 2" leather reinforced nylon stirrup straps with stainless steel buckles.
Stirrups: Ralide® with laced leather foot pad.
Finish: Brown or black.
Trim: Smooth leather jockeys, leather conchos, Synthetic® nylon skirts and rear housings, four attached eye loops, six clips and dees, breast collar dees, dee for attaching back strap and crupper.
Weight: 18 lbs.
Made in the USA

Read more: http://www.horseforum.com/endurance-riding/so-excited-151250/#ixzz2J35iKYOl

Bit test ride

I think we have a winner! Check out that foam! He ground his teeth a little every now and then, but stopped almost instantly. He was chewing and chomping and licking constantly. I wasn't too fond of him chomping on the bit (like actually getting the metal and being quite loud about it), and he gave me a few head tosses when I pulled up on him, but I think that's just him getting used to a bit again and matter of habit. He REALLY didn't want me to put it in his mouth when we began and stuck his nose in the air and clamped his teeth shut, so I think he's definitely got bad memories now from the previous bits and the sore mouth, so I'm curious if he's easier next time. Anyway, this looked really good to me, and I have videos I'll share once I get my hard drive cleaned up enough to fit them!

****

Here are a shots from last ride, when he had the stuff in his mouth. You can clearly see his pissy nose snarl, even though he wasn't opening his mouth. The nose shot with the new bit looks way happier!

The slobber turned out to be the clue that stuff was stuck under his tongue, causing the teeth grinding.

He actually has the new bit in his mouth in that first one, but he had the stuff stuck in his mouth and the ulcers :S

New bit is here!

It's here! I paid the $4 for expedited shipping so I wouldn't have to wait too long to find out if this bit will actually work. No, it's not the JP Korsteel (though the site led me to believe it was through the description and URL address), and it came with a giant "Made in China" sticker. I think I might write a complaint about mis-advertising, because they copied and pasted the description for the JP Korsteel, but the links aren't even curved like JPK's. However, it does seem to be something that would work given my issues, and I paid about $25 for it. I did need a few other things for blanket repair, so I felt I got a decent deal. The sides are very small with a nice, big copper peanut. The holes are big enough that it can really bend any direction to bend with his mouth. I don't think there's any opportunity for it to be pinching. I'm going to test it out this afternoon - I'm really excited! Any suggestions for what I should do to evaluate whether this bit will work or not? Should I go ahead and try riding if he looks like he's doing fine?

The issues before were: 
1) with a single-jointed snaffle - almost instantly pulling back because, when it rotated downward with gravity as all snaffles do, the joint was poking the top of his mouth (I believe), so I was having problems before I even touched the reins. Then, when I touched the reins, things became a fight because he was so uncomfortable.
2) with a ported curb bit - he was fine with no pressure because the port was laying flat on his tongue. However, when I picked up the reins, even with minimal contact causing the bit to rotate slightly, the port hit the roof of his mouth, so he started gaping, but didn't fight it. Now that I think of it, I believe he was better behaved because the fixed port could only rise so far to hit the roof of his mouth and was smooth and round, rather than a pointed joint. He wasn't grinding his teeth anymore nor fighting and actually responded pretty well, but he still had a gaped mouth.

The pattern seems to fit that my issue is just the bit coming up and hitting the roof of his mouth, especially since I got the same reaction when I stuck my finger in his mouth and barely poked the roof, and, though he seemed fine when I just let my fingers lay flat on his tongue, I still was making a lot of contact across the roof of his mouth because it's so low.

Given that the peanut is so wide and round, and that I don't think it'll rise up to the roof of his mouth but rather lay on his tongue and the sides will come down when pressure is added, I really have high hopes for this bit.

Read more: http://www.horseforum.com/horse-tack-equipment/bit-irritation-148001/page4/#ixzz2J3ErgPWn

Nearly had a horse-induced heart attack!

This came up as I was attempting to solve a bit issue that I already had a thread going in the tack section, so I typed this up there as an update in that issue. If you already read that, save yourself some time and don't read it twice. However, I did want to share this as its own thread just because it was so strange... but so simple.

Snickers was very slobbery today and has been for the last day or two. Not like "foam when you put the bit in" but rather huge strings of thick drool hanging from his mouth all the time. I wasn't sure what was going on....

I've been trying to find a bit that was comfortable for him, and my latest bit came in the mail this morning. I brought him up and saddled him, and he was doing really well. Then, I wanted a picture of him with what he was doing before, so I put the curb bit in his mouth and rotated it, but no matter what I did, he didn't react at all (he was gaping and pulling his lips back before). Instead, he just drooled. Interesting....

I put him in the new bit, and it was awesome and crappy at the same time. He rode like he's never done before - that head was automatically in the perfect position the entire time, no throwing his head, no fighting, nothing. And he was doing things for me that he's never done - perfectly responsive to all my cues. In fact, I was riding with a lighter hand than I usually ever have with him. It was great! Except.... He was girding his teeth the ENTIRE time, like 30 minutes straight. It was the strangest thing - how could he be SO good (I was shocked!), but be so pissed the entire time??

But the story doesn't end there... During this time, he continued drooling the entire time, and I even saw a hint of what looked like blood after he'd been grinding his teeth for so long. I took a look inside his mouth and couldn't see anything, and there wasn't any more blood, so I just wasn't sure....

I put him back and my BO called me on my way home. We've been talking about his eating habits - he drops a lot of food and seems to have trouble chewing. She'd been watching him eat that morning and agreed with me it wasn't normal and she was worried about him. Between the food issues and the bit issues, we decided it might be good to have his teeth checked again. I called vet #1 who's known him since before I bought him and did his teeth last February. He said he really didn't think he could have a problem with his teeth since he did them, but suggested thoroughly checking my feed for cheat grass. Funny enough, we just switched feed last week, and that's when the drooling started and I think the teeth grinding (in addition to the gaping with a bit) started around then, too. I called my BO and she went and threw them some of her hay (I'm her only boarder and we take care of our own hay). I then called vet #2, who checked his teeth a couple months ago and who I'm much more comfortable with. She took the time to talk to me and thoroughly explain different aspects and hear me out about all my concerns from the hay to the bit to the girding, and she said she'd bet money it's cheat grass in the hay.

Then, things got scary. My BO called - she'd given them new hay in a different bin and he wasn't eating. He kept putting his head down to the food, but never ate anything. This is NOT like him, at all. Especially with straight alfalfa that he'd been eating before I got my own hay last week. So, I prepared a mash with about 2 lbs of beet pulp, 2 lbs of Triple Crown, and a bunch of alfalfa cubes soaked in hot water (he NEVER turns down his beet pulp mash, even if he's stuffed himself) and called vet #2 back. As I was driving with my mash back to my boy, she explained that he was probably in too much pain with the cheat grass in his mouth and it made him not want to eat. I needed to take a syringe and rinse his mouth.

My BO got a 60cc syringe and a bucket of warm water, and I caught my horse. He was standing at the barrel with the hay that likely had cheat grass and looked like he'd been digging through it, but not eating. There aren't any outdoor lights, so we brought him right up to the front porch on the yard. She held him while I inserted the full syringe and emptied it in his mouth... Nothing. It was so strange - where did the water go? We did this a few more times, and concluded he must be swallowing it lol. He just kept letting us stick that syringe in there and give him a drink over and over! What a strange horse... But that's nothing I didn't already know, it just added to his list of strange things he does. Anyway, nothing was coming out, except the same slobber like crazy. After a few more times, I got out the mash, but he sniffed it and turned away. Now I was worried - that is extremely unusual, even if he was somehow full (but we really doubted that was the case). He was acting normal, except just not eating. I'd seen him eat his regular daily mash and drink water just 2 hours earlier. This didn't feel like a colic, but he still wasn't eating at all and rinsing his mouth wasn't working. I stuck him in the round pen with the mash while I called the vet - we decided it probably wasn't an emergency and could probably wait until morning to see if he ate then, so I decided to go with that. Wanting to give it one last go, I went and got him and rinsed his mouth with the same result. I even pried open his mouth before I rinsed it and it really didn't help any. Now, he was getting a little annoyed though. Finally, I did what any mom would have done for their child - off came my nice, warm, waterproof gloves, and my hand went in his mouth. Turns out, if he feels your hand in there, he won't bite hard enough to make it hurt. He was obviously not to thrilled with it, but allowed me to explore his entire mouth (all the way up to my elbow) and get out the crud. There were two main wads of food under his tongue, but I could guarantee after that that there was nothing left in that mouth. And my arm smelled TERRIBLE!! I did feel two rough spots about the size of dimes on the side of his tongue that were different than the rest, but there wasn't any more food in there for sure.

And guess what? After a few minutes, he started stuffing his face with the mash! He truly was just in so much discomfort from those bits of food that it made him not want to eat at all. After a bit, I returned him to the pasture and filled his (and my other horse's) buckets with the rest of the mash. I went back inside and called my husband to tell him I was almost done and that Snickers was doing fine, talked to my BO. And then drove my car out to the gate so I could see what was going on and finish my last job. Snickers was still stuffing his face :) No, there was no way he was sick haha. With my headlights helping me see, I emptied their entire tractor tire that I use for free-feeding of the bale of hay or so that I'd fed yesterday and threw it over the fence. I got it out all the way down to the dirt and felt I did a pretty thorough job, especially for being in the dark. Then, I went and got some of that alfalfa hay that I know he likes and offered him a bite before throwing it in the barrel. He eagerly took it! In fact, more like Snickers than anything, he left his mash for the hay as soon as I threw it in the tire. (Of course, Flash, my colt, was very pleased since he'd finished his bucket and was waiting for a bit of Snickers' lol).

I called my vet back and left a message telling her what I'd done and that he was fine, and she called me back (What a fantastic vet on a Saturday night!). She said those rough patches were probably ulcers, like a bad canker sore, and that that was likely why he'd been grinding his feet the entire time we were riding. Sticking a bit in there just put more pressure on his tongue and caused him discomfort. His ulcers should heal up on their own in 4-5 days, so then we should be good to go. In that time, I'm definitely going to be getting them new hay!!

Read more: http://www.horseforum.com/horse-health/nearly-had-horse-induced-heart-attack-148964/#ixzz2J3BY5HGl

Gah more bit uncertainty

I'm really doubting the bit I got is going to work since it's so dang thick. Someone suggested this bit:

I found this one, but I don't want to wait for shipping!  Even though it doesn't say it in the description, the URL indicates this is the exact same bit. I'm really doubting the bit I got is going to work since it's so dang thick. I just don't want to wait for shipping! Ugh. O well, this is the best price I've found (shipping stinks, though) and they have the blanket repair tape that I need to order. What do you think?

Read more: http://www.horseforum.com/horse-tack-equipment/bit-irritation-148001/page2/#ixzz2J3Ddv6SI

Possible solution?

Well, I sold my single-jointed snaffle (I have another one I like better somewhere...) and bought a French Link with the money. At worst, I'll be out the $5 difference. Here's what I got (already attached to my bit hangers for my bridle). 

I'm nervous since we've had so many issues, but I'm hoping it'll work out. Otherwise, I'll test out my friend's Myler and maybe even a mullen mouth. The lady at the tack shop suggested a Sprenger bit, and they're even more expensive than the Mylers. Anybody with experience with these?

This was the only affordable french link I could find (most people around here ride Western, so anything English is hard to get any options with), but I think it might be too thick. It's still a good bit to have regardless, so I won't regret buying it either way.

I guess we'll see how he reacts to it tomorrow, but there's barely any room in that mouth so I don't know if the thickness is going to be a problem.

Read more: http://www.horseforum.com/horse-tack-equipment/bit-irritation-148001/page2/#ixzz2J3DEwwXW

Gaping and chewing on the bit

My boy is NOT happy right now in his single-jointed snaffle. As soon as it's in his mouth, he starts gaping wide open and pulling his lips back, and he's frequently chomping on it and pulling on it when we ride. I'm also ending up using harder hands than I'd like just to get his attention as he's running out on me. Part of the running out is because he's had a few months off due to injury, but I'd really like to get him in a bit that he likes and I feel like I can get some response without starting a battle. When he's paying attention, he can be very responsive and I usually like to ride him in a sidepull, but I need a bit for more control especially since we're doing a little re-training at the moment.

I'm assuming the bit is the issue, as he's never been too happy in a bit. Last spring, shortly after I got him, he started foaming up every time I put a bit in his mouth - and we're talking EXCESSIVE foam from stress here. He hasn't had a bit in his mout for about half a year now, but I need to find something that works to get him back to where he used to be and to teach a little more respect and attention.

I'm thinking of getting a French link, but a friend of mine is trying to talk me into a Myler level 2 bit, which I must sounds appealing all up until the price tag. But if that's what it takes, then I guess I'll pay up. I do like the idea of the tongue relief and 3 pieces - anyone have experiences with these? Might it solve my problem?

If there's anything other than the bit that I should check, please let me know :)

Read more: http://www.horseforum.com/horse-training/gaping-chewing-bit-147566/#ixzz2J3LqCeJx

Sore Back :(

My horse has never come up sore - until July when we did our first 50-miler and had to walk the last 13 miles due to rain. He was very sore and we determined this was poor saddle fit (though he didn't even come up sore on the 25-miler I'd done two days earlier...). I gave him about 6 weeks off, then did a little conditioning and tried a few new saddles. We finally found one right before the next ride that seemed to fit him really well but he still came up sore on the 25-miler. In fact, he was extremely sore. We decided that this had more to do with the previous injury not healing up all the way, so his back got re-injured and they said that any saddle I put on him would probably sore up his back.

I was told to stay off him completely for 2 months and I personally decided his endurance season was over until next Spring. I've done so, and now it's time to start working on riding again. Though we're pretty sure this was due to a poorly-fitting saddle, I want to be sure I cover all my bases, so here's my plan and was wondering if anyone else had suggestions or tips:

Get a new saddle that fits him - I'm planning on getting a Specialized saddle once I get the money. In the meantime, I'm only riding short, easy rides and working on fundamentals like collection until I can get a saddle that fits.

Take equitation classes - Though I ride in an English saddle and post, I've never taken actual English lessons. To be sure I'm riding balanced and not doing something in the saddle to cause a sore back, plus just improve my riding and expand my skills, I want to take a few classes.

Strengthen his back - Here's where I'm kind of feeling around in the dark. Someone mentioned he tends to move with a high head, which may be causing him to hallow out his back and contribute to the problem. I'm already working on keeping his head low, but I've seen posts on here about strengthening the top line (by keeping his head low??) and going over cavaletti. I really need help on this one if you have any suggestions 

I'm doing most of my training at a trot, with a little cantering and walking, because that's what we ride at in a race and I seem to understand that's best for strengthening and developing horses anyway. Physically, he looks really good now. He doesn't (and never had) any muscle wasting and finally put the weight on I've been trying to get all year. 2 months off does wonders! However, I'm ready to make sure he's good and ready for next year. Thanks!

Read more: http://www.horseforum.com/horse-health/sore-back-143746/#ixzz2J3OdNgzM

Horse Expo

On April 22, I volunteered at the Diabetes Ride booth, shared with SWIT&DR, at the Horse Expo.  I let them borrow my computer and monitor to show videos from the rides and a slide show - it turns out I probably should have been there from the beginning because I had to work out some technical stuff to get it to work smoothly, like turning off the sleep feature and putting the video on loop.  It went by pretty fast, especially since I got to wander around and look at stuff.  I wanted to find some DAC to help with Snickers gaining weight, but didn't see it. Instead, a booth selling rope and books on how to make your own halters caught my eye, and I got a lot of info.  I also got in trouble taking pictures of the decorative knots done on the nose, which weren't in the book, so that I could replicate them.  The guy said pretty sternly that I really should ask before I take pictures, but let me continue to take them anyway.  Meh, I bought $60 worth of rope and books on how to make the halters for Snicker and Flash, so I think we're good.  The halters were pretty easy and fun to make (of course, I'm the little girl who made all those friendship bracelets years ago, so I'd love this!) and I've received lots of compliments for them.  I'm going to try to make custom halters for people around here if I can get enough intrest.  That would be a fun thing to do to make money :)

I got to talk to a lot of the other SWIT&DR people, including Sandy's husband.  Turns out, there are a bunch of rednecks out further east of Dusty Acres, where I haven't made it to just yet, that will shoot first and ask questions later, so I'm going to have to take a little extra precaution if I do venture any further.  He basically said I needed to make sure I don't go through any shut gates out there, and avoid areas where there's any Confederate or US flags hung upside down.... weird.

My personal playground!

It's been a good couple of days for horses :) Thank goodness, after all the stuff last week!

Since last Saturday, I've was trying to find a new place to keep Snickers and Flash. I posted a couple of things on the bulletin boards for the Meetup group as well as SWIT&DR. I didn't get any replies from SWIT&DR, but I got a couple of responses from the Meetup group. One of them recommended checking out Dusty Acres, and I called them that night. They have pasture for $105/mo (cheapest I found!), three round pens, an outdoor arena, and even an indoor arena! Plus, it's got direct BLM access, so I could trail ride whenever I wanted to, though it's mostly just flat desert. But it looked pretty good! Susan, the owner, was going to come Tuesday (the next day) to pick up my boys! However, she ended up running late and I has a bit of a tight schedule, so she came and got them after my lessons Wednesday. Turns out her stablehand, Oscar, is a guy I worked with when I was mucking stalls when I was 15 haha. Small world! But anyway, things worked out really well. She even picked up my strangles vaccine for me and is going to do their vaccinations. The "resident vet" is actually my vet, Doc Woodington - he makes regular trips out there to do stuff for a lot of the boarders all at once and I got on his list for shots on March 4. Susan also took the rest of my hay - a ton and a half - to pay for the first month and a half for boarding, so that was really good. She came and got it tonight :)

I didn't actually go out to see Dusty Acres until last night, a day after they brought Snickers and Flash there. They put them each in their own outdoor stall for now so they could get settled in, and she's going to turn them out in the pasture with other horses tomorrow. I walked flash around the indoor arena and of course he was fine. Snickers did better than I expected him to, but was still a little spooky (little for him haha). I did end up riding him, briefly in the arena, then down the round pens, and we did a little work in the roundpen. As I was making my way around I asked some of the other boarders about where stuff was and how things worked, and I was still a little confused so I called Susan that evening. Turns out I'll need to get all my own stuff, like brushes, a lunge whip, a saddle stand, etc. But that's ok, they're not all that expensive. At least now I know where I'm at!

I went out there again today and spent a lot of time on Snickers. It was about to get dark just when I got there - I love having a lit indoor arena! I was able to ride until well past dark - I'll just need to get a flash light for walking the horses back and forth from the pasture because it's very dark back there. One benefit I didn't think of with boarding was having other people around to help me figure stuff out with the boys. I was struggling to keep my seat on Snickers in the English saddle and getting him to be soft and drop his head at the same time, but there was a girl there, Stevie, that offered to help. She traded me horses and set up my reins like draw reins and worked with him to drop his head. She did a really good job with me and showed me how to hold his head and post. She changed the reins back to normal and showed me a little more, then traded me back. Snickers and I did a lot better after that. I'm going to have to get used to his faster movement (at least for now) and post, but once I get that down, we'll do pretty well together. I was really glad for her help because it could have been pretty frustrating working with him without it.

Snickers does need to calm down, still. Maybe it'll help to have him out in pasture so he can get some more energy out, but we'll see. Definitely some consistent work though! I did work with Flash, too. I was just going to brush him, but since he's been cooped up in a stall I lunged him on the lead rope. I'm going to need to get a lunge line so that I can lunge in the arena after dark. For his first time lunging on a line, he did excellent and figured it out pretty quick :) He was really calm the whole time, though Snickers was whinnying over and over and Flash was winnying back quite a bit - I'm glad they like each other and are excited to see me when I come :) Hopefully that means they'll be easy to catch even when they're in the pasture! Anyway, after I exercised him some I brushed him down really well and took him back to his stall. I'm hoping to get a chance to go see them tomorrow again, but if not, I'll have all Sunday afternoon since I got it off :)

There were two more major events this week. First, on Monday, I went off a horse for the first time in years! I was loping on Snickers in the arena, and he felt really funny under me. I don't think he bucked or anything, but something he did (I'm thinking he slipped) unseated me, and then he stopped cold, and without my seat I went right over the front and landed on my left side. He'd turned right so he didn't come anywhere near me and just stood on the other side of the arena until I came and got him. It took me a bit cuz I was winded pretty bad. The marks on the ground looked pretty funny because you could see the "slip" skid mark, the dead stop marks side by side, and then my body print all in a row. Of course, it was the day my camcorder was dead and the first time I rode him without a helmet. I'm not going to ride him without the helmet anymore! Especially since this was all in Melinda's Western saddle that I stick in really well (usually!) and now I'm in the English that I'm much less more unstable in. It's a good point to tell my students, too, why we don't lope! It's so much easier to have something happen! But oh well, I'm not sore anymore haha. Though it really sucked to get the sand out of my eyes during class Monday night! and my arm... and cheek... and ear..... and everything else on my left side....

The other thing that happened is way exciting - I sold my piano! So now I have the money for my endurance stuff! I called Shelley at Legacy Thursday and, since she was going home before I could get there, we met today to get all my "starter stuff" for endurance. I got straps for my stirrups, a full bridle and reins set that's way cute with flowers and everything, a lunge line, a girth strap, shin guard things that I have to wear, a martingale for training, soft cotton roping reins for endurance..... And I'm sure a few other things. I ended up having to exchange the straps for longer ones later and returning the roping reigns because I'm getting a blue pad (they don't have purple) and I want to get blue reins to match. So they're ordering me blue reins, a blue pad, and a sponge. We decided to hold off on the heart monitor. I'm going to take the martingale back tomorrow, too, since it was $100 and it seems that draw reigns will work really well. For now, I'd rather spend that money on something else - like grooming supplies, saddle rack and the other stuff I need now that I'm all on my own, and a pack for the back of my saddle! However, since it's my birthday tomorrow, I'm going to have to wait to buy anything else so Trevor has a chance to buy my gift haha. I'll go back and get the tack set and whatnot soon, though, if he doesn't get them for me. I just thought I'd give him a chance haha. Anyway, Shelley was awesome and spent an hour and a half with me today picking out tack. She gave me a couple of hugs when we were done and told me how excited she was for me :) I can't wait to get my new pad and matching reins, and especially to get going on endurance!

Anyway, so that's about it! It was a good week, and I really feel like I've got my own little playground at Dusty Acres with my two boys that are everything I could ask for (especially with my budget). I can ride anywhere and do anything, and I've got two very different horses to both challenge me and to enjoy myself with :) Things are good!

Horses Loose, (*a second*) First Ride, and more

The afternoon didn't start so well.  I was planning on stopping by Legacy and picking up the endurance stirrups with the graduation money my Papa Baque sent me as well as talking to the vet about Flash's ticks (and ear thingy) and stopping by the bank, but I got a call at work about a half hour before I was going to be off that all the horses were out!  My dad was busy managing things, so I guess he didn't hear me when I asked over and over "is someone going to get the horses?!"  I knew the neighbors were out there, but didn't think they really knew what they were doing.  Jill was out of town.  And my dad was busy - all he said was "don't worry about it" and I had no idea what that was supposed to mean and didn't know if anyone who knew anything about horses was going to get them!  Especially since I don't know Snickers well enough to trust him not to get spooked or into too much trouble.  So of course I panicked because I'm a half hour from there.  I left immediately and pretty much hoped all the way there that nothing happened in the next half hour.  I think I seriously ticked some lady off for tailgating - she was upset about something at least but oh well, I was a woman on a mission to save my babies!  When I got there my dad had gotten them back in the pasture, which was both a relief and extremely frustrating because I'd spent all that time worried about them but I would have been fine and even finished my stuff at work if I'd known he was out there with him.  Gah.

Anyway, so after that, the afternoon actually went pretty well.  Snickers started whinneying for me when he saw me tying up my family's horses (we really don't want them together and getting into a fight, especially now that Snickers is head of the herd at Jill's now).  I went and grabbed him with the halter Barb gave me - poor Flash was the first one up to me and seemed so confused that I wasn't there for him! :(  I'll have to make sure I still work with him plenty, of course.  I felt so bad!  But Snickers came right up as well and let me catch him, and off we went!  He was very energetic and alert, but he never really spooked, even on the road.  Actually, the walk back was tougher because he kept getting ahead of me and paying attention to everything but me haha.  Oh well, we managed without any real issues.  He did make me feel tiny - 15.1 hands is by no means small, but it was really how high he holds that head!  I felt short.  I like that though - I've got a big boy :)

I stuck him in the round pen and lunged him a bit.  I think even my dad was impressed by how well he stopped when I said woah.  Maybe it's because it's a small round pen or maybe Snickers is just getting used to me and being ridden and worked, but I really didn't lunge him that long before I was ready to climb on.  I was able to rig up the camcorder on two of our barrels stacked on top of each other, so I was even able to film it!  I saddled Snickers up (I used Melinda's, my sister, western saddle because it was right there, I'm going to sell mine anyway, and hers is nicer and moves better with less squeakiness), lunged him around the arena both ways a couple times, tightened the cinch up, and then on went the bridle!  No issues at all with the bridle except that it was too big haha.  I used one of my dad's that we use for his horses.  I think the bit was too big, too, but it wasn't bad enough not to ride in it and I'll use Flash's 4 3/4 one next time to see if it fits better.  I tightened it up and then hopped on!

He was so calm and gentle at the walk, and then at the trot.  He picked up right about where we left off last time with the nice slow trot and head on the ground.  I was able to find a good length to hold the reigns at with one hand so he had room to carry his head low as well as lift it up.  I don't really care where he carries his head as long as he's calm (plus he looks pretty when he lifts it up!), but what was nice is he'd stay at his nice slow trot even when his head popped up and the reigns were drooping off his face.   Good boy!  Now all I gotta do is teach him to neck reign.  It seems like he's starting to pick it up, but once he's got that, I think he'll definitely be my favorite horse I've ever ridden.  He's excellent and everything I could ask for in a horse!  I just gotta get my seat so we can work on faster trots for endurance haha.  We're going to have a lot of fun together :)

After that, I decided to give him a break.  I thought I might go for a second ride in a bit before I had to put him away, but that didn't end up happening.  I called Legacy to see if they still had the stirrups I needed, and Shelley put them under the counter for me to pick up this evening.  Then I called Doc Woodington about Flash's ticks, and he had me bring the wonderful "Jar of Things I Pull Off of Flash" over.  He was surprised, but confirmed, sure enough, those were ticks.  Deer ticks to be exact - I was a little worried, but he said lime disease is rare here.  He sent me off with some Ivermectrin wormer (Flash is due for a worming anyway - I think I even saw him rubbing today) for him and Snickers (I didn't know when Snickers was last wormed, so I figured I'd grab some just in case.  Turns out it was November, so I'll probably go ahead and worm him this month).  He also recommended to get some shampoo with Permethrin in it and give Flash a bath to kill any ticks the Ivermectrin doesn't, such as those that aren't currently sucking.  He took a look at the pictures I have of the thing in Flash's ear and said it's just a wart and it'll go away.  He seemed pretty certain, and that made me feel better that I don't have to worry about it :)  (There was also one of those strange growths he had when I got him and they all went away - he said those were probably just warts and that's what it looked like - and I discovered the other day that the scab growth thing on the back of his back right fetlock was just one of those cartilage things that all the horses have on every fetlock - it now looks like the other three.  Yay for no health issues!)  I went back and took Snickers back to Jill's, then grabbed Flash.  I felt bad because Flash was so excited I was working with him it seemed and started giving me his pose to earn treats.  In all fairness, I did bring the clicker, but just to make sure the worming went easy.  I had to bring him out in the yard because Snickers wouldn't leave us alone (they both think I belong to just them! I feel like I'm cheating on one when I'm with the other :S).  I don't think I even needed to do the clicker stuff with Flash he took it so well, but I kinda wanted an excuse to give him some grain anyway.  He swallowed it all really well and so hopefully these ticks go away quick!

By that time, I had to give lessons.  After those, I went back and fed the three of them and gave Snickers some peppermint cookies.  It was 5:30 by the time I left, and Legacy closes at 6, so I was in a hurry!  I barely made it at 5:58, but the stirrups were right there ready for me!  I almost choked when I mentioned the saddle I got was the one they had for $75 and the lady said, "and now you've got $90 stirrups for it!"  I was thinking somewhere closer to $70, but oh well - I'm not mentioning how much they cost to Trevor since my gift from Papa Baque was $50 lol.  They're pretty important.  After that, I went to D&B for the Permethrin (Legacy only had a dog shampoo, but I had a good conversation with a guy ad D&B and he had exactly what I needed).  I checked out the tack options they had there (nothing great for endurance though and no one like Shelly who can really help me get the best stuff for endurance) and then found someone to help me get the Permethrin.  Turns out the guy I found was actually the one I talked to on the phone!  He helped me get the right stuff as well as a sprayer to mix it and spray it with.  I also asked him about endurance stirrups just in case I'd missed him, and he showed me the few (non-endurance) stirrups I'd already seen.  However, he did mention that his aunt did endurance and said she hated her regular stirrups and the special endurance stirrups made all the difference.  I guess I can feel a little better about spending that much.  Plus they're metal and not nylon, accounting for the extra cost (which also included tax).  I also picked up a salt block for my babies and chose the one with all the minerals and stuff in them.  I don't know if they really needed that one, but I figured for $2 I'd get them the one that definitely had what they might need in it.

Well, I guess that's it for today!  I'm excited to put another ride on Snickers tomorrow and get rid of Flash's ticks!  With how little Snickers is spooking, we may just go out on the trails soon ish.  I was pretty impressed by him and how well he handled himself, especially when I was on him.  He didn't even spook at the cat that came into the yard!  I don't know if it's him learning or just trusting me, but I love it.  He's such an excellent horse.  Of course, so is Flash, and he's an absolute in my pocket sweetheart and baby.  I just can't ride him and I guess Snickers is a bit more exciting at the moment.  Well, that's exactly why I have the two - one is exciting, energetic, and alert while the other one is my calm baby that I know I can do anything with and never worry.  I really do have two excellent horses :)

PS - I used iMovie for my Educational Technology class and LOVED it, so I'll have to get some videos of my boys and me up here soon ;)

Stuff for endurance

So now I have a saddle.....  And am compiling a list of everything else I need for endurance!  Here's what I've got so far:

By the way, I think my first race will probably be the one at the end of June, so a lot of these things I have a lot of time to work on.  If I get my Piano sold, it will pay for all of it.  If I get my saddle sold, it should pay for a little less than half, so that's what I'm planning on doing.

Store: Legacy Feed and Fuel (corner of Meridian and Victory) - talk to Shelley and mention I'm the one who bought Snickers and that the stuff you're looking for is for endurance.

Things I need in order of how soon I need them...

Needed ASAP:

1) Stirrups: E-Z Ride Stirrups in Brown, Nylon ones should work ($75) - http://www.buytack.com/products/saddle1/all/stirrup7.htm (second set)

Needed over the next month or two:

2) Bridle and reigns (probably sold separately): I haven't decided what I want yet and should probably get these myself.  I'm leaning toward a halter/bridle combo with rope reigns. ($75-100)

3) GPS: Garmin eTrex Venture HC GPS Receiver ($120, Valentines?) - http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-eTrex-Venture-GPS-Receiver/dp/B000PDR230/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I163K08TPS610B&colid=36FC8B79MSIIJ (I can order these through Melinda's account and have it here in two days)

4) Heart Monitor: I want to verify with some people at SWIT&DR which one will work best for me or at least adequately.

Needed by May ish:

5) Girth Strap: The lady at Legacy Feed and Fuel will know what to suggest, either fleece lined or leather ($100?)

6) Pad: Again, the lady at Legacy Feed and Fuel knows which to recommend ($150)

7) Breast Collar: I just need one of these before I go on my first race likely so I don't slip back on him during a long ride over hills and whatnot.  Not very urgent.  ($60)

8) Straps (for stirrups): Ones that are thin or a single loop so they don't press my saddle into my thighs - you may want to take my saddle with you ($50)

Before my first race:

9) Saddle Bags: A cantle bag (back of the saddle) that will carry a water bottle and supplies ($30?)

Some other stuff I may want to get:

Leg splits?  I don't know if I'll need them, but maybe?

I'll add more to this list once I'm able to sit down and talk to some people at SWIT&DR haha