Just wondering what event you ride Sportassage. Know your class/associations rules on what bits are acceptable as not all classes will let you use a twisted wire snaffle. Also, and this is just something I am putting out there, have you ever thought of using either a leverage bit or a hackamore? These put pressure in different spots and may give more control, mainly it depends on your horse and your riding ability.

dont be scared off of it, but be Very cautious. Get every single thing in writing!!! I have seen these kind of tricks when ranchers will give a free bred mare and after you have fed and cared for the mare, foaled her out and vaccinated both mare and foal, the rancher comes back claiming they own the foal and the mare is yours. So get a good clear contract from the owner stating that both the mare and the foal in question is completely yours, you may even want to have this notorized by a notary. you

I have to say your tips are right on the money! I see a huge amount of horse owners who just dont understand pressure and release-they dont "see" it. I also always liked the the saying 'everytime you ride, you are either training, or untraining your horse' I always go by that rule. you can teach a horse to do just about anything once you have mastered the timing of pressure and release. I have found that natural horsemanship, round pen work and most ground manners are very frustrating

I have driven horses now for about 6 or 7 years. I mostly have qh's and paints/pintos that we have put in the cart. We normally get them started in the cart at age 3 before we get them trained under saddle, it allows them to mentally prepare for scary situations and physically less damaging while enableing us to have them bridle trained as well as conditioning them. I currently own a 12 yr. old NSH gelding that has been started on cart but has not yet been finished (his sire Allience-(Arab) was

I have shown pinto as well and we always showd with breeching as it is safer. I have place well with my horses while using the breeching so decide for yourself which you want to go with. I think your right for wanting to keep it on, and I commend you. From what I have gathered in my showing experience that they do not use breeching due to fashion and trends.

Irish rider, what is your instuctors main dicipline? that may answer why she wants your toes straight. Is your instructor mostly shows/trains/instructs in the stock breeds-that may be your answer. Stock horse shows push the toes straight equitation. It would Greatly surprize me if your instructor was in the warmblood/hunter/jumper type shows. This is just one of those things that set the stock type and the warmblood type of riding (not even western vs. english) apart!

I am going with either see a parade or be in a parade. I dont have the time to show much anymore (a couple of years ago my answer would have been undoubtly #2) I have always enjoyed taking horses in the parades! One year I was invited to ride my morgan with the Ohio Top hand drill team in the Football hall of fame parade!

First off what kind of bit are you using?? My question is have you ever ridden a reining horse? You have to understand that a stop comes from behind. when ever I work on stopping (wether i am riding western or english) I use 1. collection, 2. balance, 3. timing and body movement/motion. when you are going to ask for a stop dont go to your hands first. Ask first with a deeper seat or use a halfhalt, prepare your horse for the stop. second rebalance him with your reins and collect so that he can engage

 

frizzle, solo, you guys are right, a lot of eq riders get the toes straight thing from their trainers. this is not very conducive to riding but on the show circuits this is the norm. I rode western pleasure for years and heard the same thing. now to have truly effective leg you have to have your calves on your horse and your toes slightly turned, straight toes equal less contact. I am in complete agreement of all the previous advice (minus the straight toes).