A is
for Anti-sweat rug
B is
for Bandages
C is
for Cooler
D is
for Drop Noseband
E is
for Exercise Sheet
F is
for Fly Fringe
G is
for Gamgee
H is
for Headcollar
I is
for Irons
J is
for Jute Rug
K is
for Knee Boots
L is
for Leadrope
M is
for Martingale
N is
for Numnah
O is
for Over reach Boots
P is
for Poll Guard
Q is
for Quilted Rug
R is
for Roller
S is
for Summer Sheet
T is
for Tail Guard
U is
for ??????
V is
for Velcro
W is
for Wraps
X, Y, Z ......
Did you see last weeks vlog 'One Day in May'
Horse Life
and Love. Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.
You can also follow me on Facebook and
Instagram for updates on Chesney, Basil, Floss and Daisy.
Until next time!
Jo
In
December I wrote a blog about the Snaffle
Bridle which is the most common type of bridle used in the U.K. Today's blog will be about the Double Bridle,
these are seen in some Showing competitions and Dressage. In addition, some people like to use these on
a regular basis.
A
Double Bridle is made up of 2 bits (and 2 reins). It has a Bradoon (or Bridoon) bit and a Curb
bit and each carry a pair of reins. The
Bradoon is much like a snaffle but has smaller rings which can be loose ring or
eggbutt. This bit encourages the horse
to raise his head to the correct height.
The
most well known Curb bit is the Weymouth, these have long or short cheeks and
different types of mouthpiece. The
Weymouth encourages the head to come down and round. It gives a lighter and more refined aid and
encourages the horse to maintain head carriage and induce flexion (when used in
conjunction with the Bradoon). The
Weymouth also has a curb chain which gives an extra area of control and induces
flexion by putting pressure on the curb groove.
The
Weymouth can also help with balance and control. The mouthpiece acts on the tongue and the
bars. When the Weymouth rein is used the
curb chain is tightened and also the upper part of the bit cheek moves forward
putting pressure on the poll. The longer
the cheeks the greater the leverage and the sharper the action. As with other bits these come in a variety of
styles and with different mouthpieces eg: straight bar and jointed.
To
accommodate the second bit there is a 'sliphead' or 'overhead slip' (similar to
the headpiece). This is made up of two
pieces of leather which buckle together to allow for fitting. At the other end of each piece there are bit
attachments. This piece of leather is
buckled on the off side to reduce the number of buckles on the near side!
The
Bradoon should lie over the top of the Weymouth so that it can sit correctly in
the horse's mouth. When fitting the Bradoon
it should be a little higher than a Snaffle and the Weymouth should lie
directly below.
When
fitting the curb chain it is important that it lies flat. It will be attached to a hook at one end,
twist it in a clockwise direction until the links all lie flat, turn it another
half turn to hook it onto the other end!
The curb chain should be adjusted so that it is tight when the lower part
of the Weymouth bit cheek is at 45 degrees to the mouth. The lip or chin strap is then passed through
the 'fly link' which is the extra link in the middle of the curb chain, and
fastened loosely. This strap is intended
to help keep the chain in position.
Generally
the reins used for double bridles are slightly different thicknesses so that it
is easy to identify each when riding.
The thicker rein should be attached to the Bradoon. Double Bridles should be fitted in the same
way as a Snaffle Bridle paying attention to the bit size.
Riding
with 2 reins takes practice and some horses will not accept 2 bits in their
mouths. Also, some horses have mouths
that are not big enough for 2 bits! Always
remember that horses are individuals and what suits one horse may not suit
another!
Next
weeks' blog will be about other types of bits to add to my blog about Snaffle
bits from December.
Did you see Wednesday's vlog 'One Day in May' on my You Tube channel?
Horse Life
and Love. Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.
You can also follow me on Facebook and
Instagram for updates on Chesney, Basil, Floss and Daisy.
Until next time!
Jo
This
week I thought I would share one of the exercises we sometimes do in the riding
lessons I go to. This is definitely one
of my instructors favourites and it definitely makes you think! This one tests your ability to stay on line,
move forwards and stay in rhythm.
I
don't take Basil to these lessons, I generally ride a lovely horse that really
enjoys his jumping and is really building my confidence! He is fairly young and needs guidance and
riding to ensure he is straight but I never feel like he is going to stop (as
long as I keep my legs on)!
The jumps
are placed just off the track down the side of the school. Each jump is done individually and then we
put them all together as described below.
We generally start with the poles on the floor and then the instructor
slowly puts them into jumps one at a time. We also do the exercise in trot at
first and then canter.
Looking
at the picture we would be working on the left rein and come round off the
track (just after fence 2) and over fence 1. We then continue on a circle left around and
over fence 2, straight towards the track and left over fence 3. Again continuing on the left rein we then
circle around to jump fence 4.
It is
a fun exercise and does test your reactions and preparation too.
Our
instructor has also had us jumping these jumps down the line. So we have jumped 2,1,4,3 in a straight line
from top to bottom jumping each pole at an angle. This exercise tests your line even more as
the horses often want to run out!
Did you see yesterday's vlog 'One Day in May'
Horse Life
and Love. Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.
You can also follow me on Facebook and
Instagram for updates on Chesney, Basil, Floss and Daisy.
Until next time!
Jo
