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Post by sageandonion on Jul 10, 2012 11:45:04 GMT
I would have to ask the judge and I would be direct and say "am I further down because of ...... bit, would you put me higher if I were using ..............(the bit the winner had), why would that be? Of course I would have to be prepared for a direct response which might not be what I want to hear ..............
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Post by waterford on Jul 10, 2012 13:47:51 GMT
That goes without saying, im not against an opinion in general, just an uneducated one. Wouldn't life be nice and easy though, if their mouths all suited an eggbutt snaffle. Be far cheaper too, though i am glad on my journey through this post, that i found someone else (Sometime i think) who's pony also prefers a waterford mouthpiece to a french link.
We have had judges say, i would prefer to see a double bridle, it is more professional. Though we choose not to listen, my ponies do not require it so we won't be changing to one of those any time in the near or distant future. If they go well in what they are in, their mouths are happy, then do the work well and the rider works well with them, i'm happy to achieve what ever placing, or not.
But please all you judges out there ASK us!
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Post by brontepearson on Jul 16, 2012 16:33:40 GMT
I have had a lot of bitting trouble with my 13hh whp I used to compete and have carried on riding since then. She seems to go best (may sound harsh) in a waterford gag as it's about the only thing she's not able to grab hold of and lean on. Either that or a double is the most comfortable to ride her in, a snaffle is absolute hell! I used to compete her in a wilki but wish I had found my current bit sooner as she goes so much better in it. I think it may have something to do with the way she is naturally built, being slightly on the forehand and so requires much effort to pick her up off of it. If I had competed her in the waterford I have now, I would not have appreciated being marked down for using a bit the pony goes best in with least resistance.
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Jul 16, 2012 16:45:00 GMT
Not criticising but only wondering why you use a gag and not a snaffle version, surely she couldn't lean on that either?
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Post by GinaGeo on Jul 16, 2012 17:18:14 GMT
Is a waterford snaffle, a huge amount of metal work GinaGeo? I don't think so ? Plain cavesson noseband and no martingale to boot? Sorry only just caught up with this. I couldn't find it when I came back to it last week! As with any bit, it depends how they are used. A waterford, with snaffle rings used correctly imo is OK - although I wouldn't want to use it for everyday schooling though. With different cheeks, beit gag or pelham I would see it as some "serious metal" and would avoid it if at all possible. A plain cavesson noseband and no Martingale would be a joy to see, although I'm sure you'd be in the minority! |
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Post by brontepearson on Jul 16, 2012 17:26:18 GMT
Not criticising but only wondering why you use a gag and not a snaffle version, surely she couldn't lean on that either? I tried a waterford snaffle first but it made little difference if any at all to a normal snaffle, I swear she has a mouth of steel! (teeth and back checked regularly) |
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Post by vikki85 on Jul 17, 2012 14:59:05 GMT
I'm probably in the minority but I've never felt the need for anything other than a cavesson noseband and my mare has never worn a martingale in her life, even when jumping. If a pony is well schooled both on the flat and for jumping, should martingales and flash/grakle nosebands really need to be used? (that's not a rhetorical questions by the way, I'd be intersted to hear other people's points of view on this)
I'm no judge, but I don't think I'd mark down a pony in say a waterford snaffle, with a cavesson noseband or no martingale as I would put that choice down to comfort of the mouthpiece as opposed to extra brakes. If however I saw a pony with a dutch gag on bottom ring with a grakle noseband and standing martingale, it might cross my mind that if the pony needs that much metal and leather round it's head in an arena, it's unlikely to be safe for a child on a hunting field?
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Post by casper15 on Jul 17, 2012 17:48:22 GMT
I mainly do working hunter with my pony, he hates pelhams as they are just to strong but the snaffle is too weak to jump him in as he can get excited therefore he can get strong so we have found that a tom thumb has worked wonders with him, Casper has a tom thumb, grackle noseband and a martingale and that has not once affected him with his marks! I find that the tom thumb is easy to use and very effective as I am only 15. Casper has gone on to win many, many working hunter classes!  |
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Post by brontepearson on Jul 17, 2012 19:06:36 GMT
glad to hear, was thinking of a tomb thumb for my pony |
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