This message is from: "Cheryl Beillard" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sue and Gayle .. thank you both for super stories! I have a quick question for you experienced drivers out there .. After I underwent my "transformation" at the Parelli Clinic, I came home and decided to try driving Soleia without blinders/blinkers? don't know what is the proper term .. and in her regular riding bridle, with a simple jointed snaffle bit .. I've been out three times with this setup and notice that a) she spends more time looking back at me and I have to work to keep her head straight b) she pulls much more - I have to really hang on to her sometimes, whereas with the Kimberwick I had to keep only the lightest contact (I hope) and c) she has been getting progressively more "difficult" .. ie attempting to turn back, and yesterday .. serious bucking at the start .. I just kept her moving and we covered a lot of ground in short order ..after which she was much more amenable. Now Soleia has bucked under saddle in the past, but I've been out driving almost daily over the last three months and have only experienced one or two half hearted little bucks in harness .. yesterday was fairly protracted and I had to really assert myself .. So .. the obvious thing I guess, is that the bit is not right and she needs the blinders? right? Maybe when I've advanced through more of the Parelli stuff on the ground I can give her more freedom when driving? OR .. could it be the cupful of sweet feed I've been giving her the last couple of weeks .. until now I have not fed her any grain --- I know some of you feed grain, others don't.
