Riddle

[pepper]

Guess it's a "western" thing cause as someone who's only ridden "english" style for 55 years(yikes!I'm OLD!) I've only seen this done a few times & it was always someone who was a western rider or trainer.Like I said,an English trainer uses a noseband on the headstall to prevent the horse from opening his mouth enough to have the bit slip through and of course,the result we're all looking for is to have the horse accepting the bit so that having the bit slip through his mouth is not an option.
I've trained many a horse,my own kiger,Amigo as well,in a snaffle with no chin strap,& often no nose band & never had a bit "pulled" through their mouth...just my personal opinion & experiences.

[nrly]

your are right it is the way we were taught, I guess I lived in a pretty sheltered life in New Mexico cause i had never heard of or seen English style riding. My first experience with it was when I move to Phoenix, AZ in 1970 at 12 years old. I am now 49 and I am still in awe of the English style of riding, but I know I can not do it due to my bad knees; Also i read somewhere that in Canada they were trying to ban the hacamore. They felt it is animal cruelty, by cutting off their breathing. can't remember where I read it but I thought oh my what are they doing.

[fantasykiger]

I use the same type a flat chain chin strap and it lasts forever. When I was a 4-H leader in our county it was required on all snaffle bits when riding western to have a chin strap, flat chain or leather for safety. Funny when growing up riding western the thought of putting a nose band on your horse seems cruel, even though I know it is not when used properly. Alot in how we bring up our horses comes from what we learned in the past experiences and our disciplines.
I know so because I purchased a draft horse that came with a lovely english bridle and custom english saddle, the first thing I did was remove the nose band, put the saddle in storage. The a friend came along who rode english the first thing she asked for when she went to ride this horse and tack her up was to have the nose band put back on. Of course I still had it I never throw any tack away..LOL. I eventually bought a western draft size bridle for the horse so I did not have to take apart the english bridle when I rode western. I did try riding english I actually have more of a english seat about me, but I feel so out of place in that litle saddle.

[nrly]

I would look awkward in that saddle, and I can not wear their clothes, no offense but they would make me look fatter then I am. But I do hear that the pants are very comfortable.again it boils down to how I was raised.

[nrly]

been close to a month since i last posted here on riddle, he is awesome, what else can I say, he will be showcased on Horse and More pro board site soon. and so will Stormy. He was getting a bit frisky today as Jim was in his stall cleaning out his poo, he really didn't like Jim flinging it over the fence, he was funny, but when Jim was done he wanted Jim to give him a good scratch, which Jim did.

[DianneC]

Heh, heh. I think they are saying "Hey! I just got this place smelling like ME so no other dumb stallion will come waltzing in here thinking he can take over and you clean it up!"

[nrly]

got a kick out of the mental picture I got from your post Diane, my son's use to get upset and stomp their feet when I would tell them to clean up their room, it looks like a pig pen, and now i feel Riddle is acting just like them way funny....

[nrly]

Yesterday after work Jim went straight out to the horse's and feed the 4 at the stables, and then went and saddled up Riddle, and Riddle is really flinchy on his under belly, and Jim forgot, so as he was getting into the Saddle, he sorta touched part of his underbelly, and was thrown...He and another friend caught Riddle, Jim remounted and rode him, took him out a bit to an area where there are trees, and bush's, and as he was riding him another horse came out of nowhere, and Riddle spooked, took off, Jim turned him made him keep his feet moving in circles till he calmed down,So he will be riding Riddle ever day, while the others feed, then he will put him up and feed him and then go ride either Stormy, Nova, or Flashy, the days of just eating and not being ridden are over...We can not afford a hay burner, so they now will earn their keep. I also told Jim to get our son involved, he knows how to ride, and he needs to do something on his days off also,since he is trying to stop drinking, and smoking...and our son has agreed...So these horses will be ridden and gotten back into shape, round is unacceptable, unless pregnant. for them and for me, jim and our son....will keep you all posted on this saga of riding 2 horses a day through the week, and more on days off for longer period of time...

[fantasykiger]

Thanks for the update it is nice to know how everyone is doing. Not every horse can be put away for months and then you get on where you left off in training last time, of course there are those rare ones that work that way. Usually everyone needs a reminder or refresher horse and rider alike.

[nrly]

we went out today, and he was so much better, he will be ridden everyday for and hour or more, except on Sundays.

[fantasykiger]

That is good, I am sure Riddle just learned that his vacation was over and just went right back to business as usual.

[angelsdream]

Glad Jim wasnt hurt. Im sure RIddle be better as each day goes by, but may be a good thing that you've started riding him now and working with him because if you plan on breeding him in spring, he will be much nicer to handle. Are you planning on breeding him and having some little ones? I Love babies, they are so much fun to watch!!

[nrly]

we are planning of breding him and Stormy, but not this year, with the way the economy is we will wait...We have some who want to breed their horse's to him...But we will not put any foals out there that will not be taken care of properly...

[Leesa]

Just read all the posts here regarding Riddle. Glad to hear your Jim is ok and most importantly got back on. Send more photos when you can. I'd like to see more of Riddle. He is beautiful and has such a kind eye.
Leesa

[nrly]

he si such a sweet guy, but I will not ride him, I have lost my confidence since the fall with stormy, but I know he would not hurt me, he lets me groom him, he knows I also bring him his yummies...Red wheat bran, Rice bran, strategy AX...We are also going back to the mole hair cinch.the neoprene on gave him a rub, so all our cinch's will be the old fashioned type...