Bits Galore!

The bitless, see how thrilled he is?

So after the bitless bridle tryout, we decided to make our way back to the bit closet and pick out something that wouldn't encourage bucking and head shaking. Next up on the list a French Link boucher. I know Olly likes the french links, but he seemed to have a bit of a high head and being speedy. I did try him in a kimberwike, which seemed to work out great, but I just don't think he needs that "strong" of a bit right now. The middle ground? A Boucher!

Olly and his Boucher!

Still snaffle-y, but with a little poll pressure to keep the giraffe mode in check. He seemed to like it. I did notice that he was more willing to run off a bit with it though. I think he is just testing it out. We started out with a little flat work, just to get used to it in his mouth and then we tried a few jumps. Nothing complicated. He would have done great if we weren't going 80mph. What is up with the speed? I have changed the food, which seemed to help for a short time and I changed his bit. I decided to go back to the barn where I took lessons before I moved. Brandywine Farms, I love that place, I wish Istill lived only 5 minutes away. The people are great and the learning curve is amazing.I packed up all my stuff at like 1445 in the afternoon and headed out for my 1700 lesson.

Saddling up

The indoor, which was awesome in 38* weather and gail force winds

It took me 1h20min to get there, but it was worth it. After not being in a lesson for a few months and working hard on Olly, I had forgotten all the right things to do for myself. It was a nice change to be able to jump anything and not wonder if the horse I was on was going to go over or not. After only a few laps over the jumps I realized that maybe the speed that I was battling with Olly wasn't due to feed or open grass. It was my too forward seat. Now, I haven't been out to try out my theory yet today, but I have a good feeling that this may solve alot. Since that forward seat increases speed, it also throughs off our strides and the actual jump. I anticipate, he anticipates. Maybe that is why I have such a hard time getting him over those spooky jumps? AND!! If I am riding forward, and he refuses, I am on step away from going over his head. I haven't (knock on wood) lost it over a jump, yet. And I am striving with all my power and pride not to. So lter today if I can get my homework done and the wind DIES down to hurrican force level, I am going to put my theories to work.

Oh, and I would like to take a minute for a ProMo, I got these new sturrips, they have the flex bars on the side, they are AWESOME! My knees thank the makers of these sturrips. When we moved to Hawaii, I started running and the more miles I ran the more my knees started to bother me. Anything over 3 miles would kill me. After going to the doctor, he gave me stretches to do, which fixed the running part. Now I can run my five miles with no problems. BUT riding is another story. After a few times around the "arena" posting they start to ache. I tested a pair out and instantly fell in love. So thank you to my Mommy for getting me a pair!

The twinkle adds a nice touch.

Bitless Bridle Anyone?

So I finally got my Christmas stuff from my mom. She got me a bitless bridle. I was totally stoked to use it. So Saturday I saddled up and headed out. I could tell right away before we even got into a trot that he was not feeling this new bridle. I set up my camera and got a bit of video. We started out trotting and he was moving out, but a bit flat. I tried to collect him a bit and he just shook his head. I could hardly put any pressure on the reins. We moved into a canter and that is when the fun started, not for Olly of course. After a few circles he was startig to feel more pissy. He did buck a few times, although they weren't rodeo bucks, they were Olly, get DQ'ed from your dressage pattern bucks. I noted them on the video. He also seemed to feel a bit speedy and didn't want to use his brakes. I really had to use my seat and legs. Basically, this bridle was a glorified halter, I may have better luck with a halter. He was being a good boy, nothing that was unacceptable, I was just trying to stay out of his way so the bridle didn't make him too uncomfortable.

Can't figure out how to get the video on here, so here is the link.


I really felt bad after about 10 minutes. He REALLY didn't like the bridle. He was confused on the reining, I mean he is totally used to direct reining and to have the pressure over the nose he just wasn't feeling it. We walked down our little trail with the creek. Which BTW, he totally went over without a fight. A few weeks back I said that I would post a picture of the "snake filled" creek, so here it is...

Yup, that's it....

We decided to go back to the house and change out bridles. On my way back, my brother-in-law was speeding down the lane and came to a sliding stop next to Olly and I. Apparently my youngest son, Travis, was having a severe insulin reaction and was needing my assistance. So I hauled ass back to the house and threw Olly in the back yard and headed in the house. We ended up in the hospital with an IV dextrose drip, but he is doing ok now. So I haven't been able to try out my new Happy Mouth French Link bit. I have 3 that I will be experimenting with over the next week. French Link D, Mullen Elevator and Full Cheek Mullen. I will have videos on each. Feel free to pick apart my video in any way. I am always open for a good critique.