Bit Fail

5/4/2017

I am a little frustrated with the world's most awesome pony. While I adore Speedy and am grateful to have such a Steady Eddy, I am beginning to wonder if he has reached his full potential.

My current favorite photo. Yeah, I know you've seen it ... a lot, but it makes me smile. Photo by Gordon Walter.

He now has a "go" button installed, but everything else has gone to hell. In an effort to teach him to listen to my leg, I quit wearing spurs because he had learned to ignore them. He now listens to my leg for forward, but he has lost any bit of suppleness through his poll and back. The lateral work, never great to begin with, now only comes if I whack him with the whip.

He has also gotten pretty heavy in my hand, so I thought I should change his bit to something with more tongue relief. After all, that worked miracles with Izzy. HAHAHAHAHAHA. Nope.

The wide low ported Myler - dressage legal.

I tried Izzy's as of yet unused wide low ported bit with loose rings. It was a complete and total disaster. Speedy braced his neck and locked his jaw around that bit. I had no brakes and could not get a single lightened stride from him. The "go" was still there, but the lateral work was even worse.

This weekend is the CDS Adult Amateur Clinic with Hilda Gurney serving as the clinician. I am really hoping that she can help me figure this thing out. Does Speedy just need more time to build strength for the new level of collection that I am expecting? Has he simply reached his maximum ability level? Are my aids that unclear?

Looking for answers, hoping for results!

Tracy link

5/4/2017 07:19:52 am

Plateaus are SO frustrating! Sounds like the perfect time for the clinic to happen tho!

Bakersfield Dressage link

5/12/2017 05:36:33 am

It was, and he went great in our regular bit, and Hilda actually LIKED it!

Tina R.

5/4/2017 08:34:55 am

I found the same thing happened to my young horse when I started asking for more forward movement (speed). He got stiff and bracey, and even got upside down in the neck looking at the stars. I think they just have to learn to reuse and rebalance themselves as they go more forward. I don't think a different bit, or bigger bit would solve the problem. I would just go back to baby steps in getting the softness and suppleness again but maintaining the more forward motion. My theory has always been to show them what to do first (more forward) then show them how to do it (but with suppleness). You have the forward, now redevelop the suppleness at that same speed. Good luck!

Bakersfield Dressage link

5/12/2017 05:37:17 am

Yep. You're right. Thanks for reminding me of that. :0)

Teresa link

5/5/2017 02:32:58 pm

I don't think that it's unusual for horses to use the hand to help them as they learn self-carriage. I'm sure that Hilda will have lots of good ideas. Is Izzy going to?

Bakersfield Dressage link

5/12/2017 05:38:07 am

We never had to work on forward at the clinic, and Hilda liked the bit we're in. Go figure. :0)

Comments are closed.

About the
Writer & Rider

I am a lifelong rider.
I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
Welcome to my dressage journey.

Photo by Lori Ovanessian

Email Karen

About Speedy G

Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. We're currently showing Third Level for the 2020 show season. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.

August 2018

About Izzy

Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are schooling and showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.

March 2019

Bakersfield Dressage approved!

FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE

I love her stuff!

National Awards

USDF Bronze Medal - 2020

USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018

2nd Level Rider Performance, 2018

USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015

1st Level Rider Performance, 2015

USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

Training Level Rider Performance, 2013

State Awards

CDS Third Level Horse Performance Award - 2020 (pending receipt)

CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

Ruby Rider Award, 2018

CDS Second Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

Working Towards:

CDS Sapphire Rider Award
Third Level: 63.514%
Third Level: 62.105%
Fourth Level:
Fourth Level:

2020 Show Season

Show Rating
(***) CDS/USDF/USEF
(*) CDS
(s) Schooling
(c) Clinic
(r) Ride-a-Test Clinic
(Q) Must Qualify

2020 Pending …
7/11-12 SLO-CDS WC (***)
7/26 TMC (*)
8/8 - 9 RAAC (Q) (***)
8/30 TMC (*)
9/20 TMC (*)
10/11 TMC (*)
10/24-25 SCEC (***)

2020 Completed …
10/26-27/19 SCEC (***)
6/20-21/20 SCEC (***)
6/29 Ulf Wadeborn (c)

2020 Qualifying Scores

Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC)
3rd Level Qualifying Modified for 2020
2 Scores/1 Judge:
Score 1: 60.405% Atkins
Score 2: 62.432% Atkins

CDS Championship
3rd Level Qualifying Modified for 2020
3 Scores/2 Judges:
Score 1: 60.405% Atkins
Score 2: 62.432% Atkins
Score 3: 61.750% Johnson