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Post by chalky284 on Jun 9, 2010 22:56:58 GMT
Hi, I am new to showing and have seen these bits used, seems to be the more I look the more ponies I see wearing them. I read on the neue schule site that they are severe and to be used with caution by experienced people. What is the action of this bit and why are they so popular??? I have a pony who leans in a pelham so I have been trying a double, would the swales be better??? I am frightened of using it with it being described by a manufacturer as so severe, all opinions and experiences very welcome.....................................................
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Milliesmum
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COCKERP00S RULE!!!
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Post by Milliesmum on Jun 9, 2010 23:15:07 GMT
A swales eliminates the poll pressure as the top rings which attach to the cheek pieces are floating. It works purely on leverage on the jaw.
A waterford pelham might help with the leaning, as the mouthpiece is not solid so there's nothing to lean against. Together with schooling exercises to get him 'sitting up', i.e. getting him back on his hind quarters so that the forehand lightens.
There are lots of other threads on here on the subject, if you put 'swales' into the search bar you should find more information.
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Post by lauren821 on Jun 10, 2010 17:34:35 GMT
If he leaning in a pelham i would go back to basics and school in a snaffle. switching to pelham just for shows (and day before or something similar)
its fairly likely any "outline" caused by the pelham is false if he is leaning and he will be on the forehand.
alternatively, stick to the double, and ride purely off the bradoon when schooling with lots of leg and half halts to lift him up a bit. good luck, thats what happened to my mare in the pelham so i switched to the snaffle, then went into a double then settled back with the pelham once she was going properly (double was too bulky for her head for showing)
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Post by dbud7 on Jun 11, 2010 17:30:37 GMT
i currently ride a horse that when i first began riding lent badly on my hands. general schooling exercises to really sit him up and making him hold his own head and bringing him back over his bottom did help but did not soilve the issue. (this was all done in a simple loose ring snaffle). i then decided that i would try the swales and it worked wonders! he was light infront and so i was able to push my leg into hand much easier with much more success. The bit did not make him back off. However, he is the type of horse to get very used to one bit and so i now school him at home in the waterford and ride him at shows in a swales. The waterford has a very similar effect as he does not find this as easy to lean on as he did with the snaffle.
I would recommend the swales but be very cautious the first time you use it and remember what you have in your horses mouth! If your horse doesnt take to it, don't use it.
hope this helps
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