First, I have to say that the Alta Escuela saddle is wonderful!! We rode again last night and Ashke was incredible in it. His lateral movement is a huge leap forward from where we were in the Trekkerland and he finally attained a smooth, floating, slow trot. We did shoulder in and leg yields on the diagonal across the arena where he was crossing in the front with every step (still working on the hind - if I ask for more movement of his hips, we have a tendency to side pass rather than leg yield). We still have some work to do getting used to the communication in this saddle because he feels and reacts to sooo much more than before. We even had a few moments during our canter where he lifted with his back. It was amazing. We also need to test the saddle on a long ride on trail, where I am getting on and off and our ride is several hours long. That should happen on Sunday.
In the meantime, I need to find a Myler snaffle to ride him dressage style, because the shank bit is a bit more difficult. I don't really know which style to buy: eggbutt, D-ring or French. Any suggestions or descriptions of the differences?
Now on to fun video. Lou, N's dog, has been hanging out with our girls, learning manners and his place in an adult pack. He has settled so much in the two weeks he's been here. Letting adult dogs learn to be dogs makes them better companions for people. He is learning dog/people communication skills. He is also learning to box. Sorry N.
I ride Loki in a Myler boucher. It gives the bit a lot of stability in his mouth which he seems to like. Loose ring has the most movement and a D will be more stable.
Went with the D, mostly because I liked the hooks. They didn't have an eggbutt with hooks, or I might have gone that way instead. He really seemed to like it tonight.
Love the new header! The right bit depends on what your horse likes best. Loose ring snaffles work best for us, but I'd ask friends for loaners and test ride a few to see what Ashke likes. Provided the fit is good, of course.
He liked the Dring with hooks. Or at least he was incredibly responsive to it. I do think he was shocked at being asked to work (thinking he thought he was trail riding all summer and dressage was a thing of the past), but handled it well. I look forward to riding with the shank bit on the trail and the snaffle in the arena working on the dressage stuff.
I ride Loki in a Myler boucher. It gives the bit a lot of stability in his mouth which he seems to like. Loose ring has the most movement and a D will be more stable.
ReplyDeleteWent with the D, mostly because I liked the hooks. They didn't have an eggbutt with hooks, or I might have gone that way instead. He really seemed to like it tonight.
DeleteLove the new header!
ReplyDeleteThe right bit depends on what your horse likes best. Loose ring snaffles work best for us, but I'd ask friends for loaners and test ride a few to see what Ashke likes. Provided the fit is good, of course.
He liked the Dring with hooks. Or at least he was incredibly responsive to it. I do think he was shocked at being asked to work (thinking he thought he was trail riding all summer and dressage was a thing of the past), but handled it well. I look forward to riding with the shank bit on the trail and the snaffle in the arena working on the dressage stuff.
Delete