Tina, this is Cindy McKibbons friend, the one with the big bay horse, Lacy took your clinic. We still can't find a bit for Snickers. When we practice at home at a slow lope he is perfect but when he runs he runs hard and can't control him to turn the barrel. He is also a head horse. He needs help coming out of the barrel. You said he was lazy and had to tell him what to do at the time.He is better now but is real strong and has long strides, he is a big bay horse.Cindy said the suggestions you told her for a bit for sonney work and I should email you and ask your opionin. I am taking him to the posey tomorrow nite and NBHA saturday. My husband says he is to strong for her but I think if we had the right bit. I mite run him friday nite to see if i can control him but i am nereous because I don't know what kind of bit. He blows the barrels at a run but does perfect at a lope at home. If you have any suggestions I would appreciate them. Thank you, Lisa
Dear Lisa,
I remember Lacy and her horse, Snickers. Try putting him in a million dollar bit, it is made by martha josey, it will offer you from the shank leverage for WHOA/rate, from the sliding bit part and the rope nose band the lift and nose you need to finish the turns. I love this bit for chargey horses or kids.
One thing you said that worries me is, you lope at home and he is good but you RUN at show and he goes by. You must remember there is a lot of training/education that goes from a lope to a run and add excitment of show that explains, no rate or control. DO NOT go faster at show then you can do correct at home or in exhibition or you risk blowing up a horse, confidence issues and bad habits for both horse and rider.
I would caution on two things, if he does good at home but not show, someone's nerves are getting UP, is it Snickers or Lacy. Are the cues the same, I am trying to remember if Lacy sits back in her turns, that may be the cause if she is hussleing more at a show and not sitting for rate in the turn? It could be Snickers is more relaxed at home, if so haul to more shows and do slow exhibitions and gate him a lot, sit on him a lot. Also check his teeth, I can't remember if his were sharp and un level that can cause the mouth to be unable to slide allowing him to break in the poll which will not let him use his body correctly either.
Thanks, keep me posted. Tina Spangler
www.tlcbarrelhorsetraining.com
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