Groundwork conditioning for collection, should I try side-reins?

[dianneS]

A chin strap is like a leather curb chain, intended to keep a snaffle from pulling through the mouth. The strap you are referring to is a throatlatch. If you can fit your fist in your chin strap it's not going to do you much good!

I figured that she meant the throatlatch. I always keep that loose. I don't use a chin strap or curb chain at all.

You don't use a curb chain on your kimberwick? You must use a curb chain on the kimberwick, or its rotation in the horse's mouth may cause more discomfort than its action with a curb chain. This is because a kimberwick is a mild curb bit, to put it simply, and all curb bits should be ridden with curb chains or curb straps. Be careful not to confuse a chin strap (for snaffles, it is meant to be loose) with a curb strap (only for curbs, it is meant to be just loose enough to get one finger in it, or however tight your horse is the most comfortable.)

This thread is kind of old. I haven't used the kimberwicke in over six months. We're using an eggbutt snaffle now.

 

[dianneS]

I tried the side-reins the other day. Not impressed with what we achieved.

We only worked very briefly. I had the side-reins really loose, but I didn't like the idea that I was somewhat restricting her. She really gave to the bit at a walk, and dropped her head a lot, but at a trot her head just came up. I didn't like that, and we stopped for the day.

I don't know if I'll be using them again.

I recorded video of us riding the other day, trotting circles, and you know, it didn't look too bad! She was dropping her head quite nicely and giving to the bit better than I had realized!

Maybe I do need to get a new trainer out here to look at us through a new set of eyes. Perhaps I am trying to hard to do things "perfectly" as well. Maybe its time to just get on with it and DO IT, instead of searching for perfection.

My old girl is not in nearly as bad of shape as I thought. She's a lot better than some horses out there. I've been observing some video of other crooked, high-headed horses, and by comparison, my girl is really not so bad.

 

[goodhors]

Glad to hear you found a number of good things when viewing your horse and both of you in action on video! Hope you can find a trainer to come give you some new ideas on your forward progress.

It is very easy to get discouraged when doing things alone. No feedback from another veiwpoint, so certain things can get more important than they really are. Finding good stuff is GREAT to encourage yourself.

I try to keep some variety in what I ask, practice doing, so no single area gets over-drilled.