Evolving Evasions: Behind the Bit/Above the Bit
Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2016 6:15 pm
This is really just musing on what has changed with Emi over the last two years of work. When I first got her, she was very much of the "no, I don't touch the bit---I hang out back here" sort of horse. It looked like she was being obedient, but she was not on the bit or connected, and it was very difficult to feel any connection through the reins on her. She would often have a huge reaction if I touched the reins like she was a "normal horse"--especially on her harder to connect side.
Without having a very conscious plan, I realize that a lot of what I did that first year was encourage her to go up and open--above the bit as needed---to experience that it is okay out there and it is okay to feel me on the reins. I experimented with some different bits, also (she does not like a French link). Of course she had dental care and checkups, too (she had actually had more serious dental work just before I got her).
I was thinking last night that we are in such a different place this year--at those times that she does not connect/is evading, she goes above the bit. I'm actually feeling like "hallelujah!" because this is a lot easier for me to correct! And she has become much more evolved in accepting consistent contact (although she remains prone to claustrophobia if the circle of aids is too firm). And she still has a very nice soft feel when she is correct---which is very important to me and my wimpy hands--and my preference for a horse that feels more like "whipped cream than fudge" in the hand!
Anyone else go through a similar process or evolution? I'm sure more talented trainers/riders would do this in a month--not a year or two!!
Without having a very conscious plan, I realize that a lot of what I did that first year was encourage her to go up and open--above the bit as needed---to experience that it is okay out there and it is okay to feel me on the reins. I experimented with some different bits, also (she does not like a French link). Of course she had dental care and checkups, too (she had actually had more serious dental work just before I got her).
I was thinking last night that we are in such a different place this year--at those times that she does not connect/is evading, she goes above the bit. I'm actually feeling like "hallelujah!" because this is a lot easier for me to correct! And she has become much more evolved in accepting consistent contact (although she remains prone to claustrophobia if the circle of aids is too firm). And she still has a very nice soft feel when she is correct---which is very important to me and my wimpy hands--and my preference for a horse that feels more like "whipped cream than fudge" in the hand!
Anyone else go through a similar process or evolution? I'm sure more talented trainers/riders would do this in a month--not a year or two!!