Bits
This message is from: Caroline Warren Gary and Angie, On the subject of bits, I have a strong mare that has had the same problems of dropping the shoulder and counterbending. I've had the best luck with the Myler correctional low port bit with independent side movement (#27 LP). My mare thinks a snaffle is no bit and when younger she also had a serious habit of bolting when cantering, so I needed a bit that she'd pay attention to. If you can get a copy of Myler's book, "A Whole Bit Better," they discuss a lot of common problems and bits that will help you out. I think drafty type fjords take the easy way out because they are heavy in the front and may not be as fit as they need to be to perform some moves correctly. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Still some judges behind the times!
This message is from: ncfjo...@aol.com Hello to the list! I don't post often...more of a lurker! However, I just had to "vent" something that happened to me at an open show last weekend. I am at shows almost every weekend during the summer and have done this for many years (too many to want to share!). Our farm has 7 Award of Excellence winners under our belts. Over the years, the judges have become more familiar with Fjords and more open minded. Once in awhile I still run into the situation where they have "Quarter Horse Blindness, but not too often. Last weekend I was on Januar (who says "hi" to Karen Mac!) waiting to complete a pattern in English Equitation. The judge proceeds to tell me that he has trained Fjords and has never worked with one who will canter well. As a matter of fact, he said, they really should only be used in walk trot. Now, understand, this was before I completed a pattern with a lead change in the middle of it!!! So, I did the only thing I could...I rode a flawless pattern--completing the lead change beautifully! Imagine my surprise when I placed 4th behind two horses who had crooked lines and not smooth transitions. Personally, I think the judge just didn't want to be proven wrong and buried me in the middle. Oh well, I was ecstatic with the ride we had and continued to go in classes the rest of the day. We did end up Reserve High Point for the day; so not all was lost. Another success for this show was my gelding Torje (another "hi" to Karen Mac). He went in his first walk/trot classes and did a great job! That's all for now from sunny, warm southern Michigan where we FINALLY got our first cutting hay up. Anne Crandall Nottawa Crossing Fjords Marshall MI Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Bits your fjord likes best
This message is from: rbc...@yahoo.com When my fjords were young we rode them in either a french link snaffle or myler comfort snaffle. I don't think using an elevator or gag is the solution to getting a 4 year old up. He needs to gain strength and balance and learn to carry himself. I don't think it is unusual for a 4 year old to be heavy on the forehand. I have a warmblood who likes to get on the forehand and all a more severe bit does to him is make him curl up. A 4 year old needs slow consistent work and training to learn to carry himself and therefore lighten his forehand. You might experiment with different types and widths of snaffles and see what he goes better in. There is at least one tack store that will let you trial the myler bits for like 5 dollars or you could see if you could borrow some from friends for him to try. Cheers, Robin who has escaped the heat of Florida for the heat of philadelphia for the 4th of July Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -Original Message- From: "Gary & Angie Proper" Sender: owner-fjordho...@angus.mystery.com Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2010 18:42:58 To: Reply-To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Bits your fjord likes best This message is from: "Gary & Angie Proper" Just curious if anyone out there would like to share what bit their fjord works best in, in the ring and on the trail. My 4 yr old gelding is working in a myler low port comfort snaffle. He goes pretty well in it. We are only walk/trot at this point. I am lungeing him to work on his balance and improve his ability to carry himself. He does tend to fall in on his shoulder when we trot a circle and counterbend if he is being a brat. He is heavy on his forehand and have heard that and elevator or gag bit may get him up a bit more and not rooting around. He is a good fun boy, but different than other horses I have ridden. Hoping others will share what they use, and maybe their training programs. Angie and Thomas Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
