Monday, April 15, 2013

Side reins

One of my finds at this weekend's tack sale was a pair of leather and elastic side reins. I knew they were going to be a little short for Charlie, even though they were horse-sized, but for $5 I figured I could make them work. After warming him up I hooked them on. Here's a video of my first time using them with him, jury rigged with some bailing twine to be nice and loose until he gets used to them. He fought a bit at first until he learned that moving forward and down meant no pressure on his face, then he was really good.


Once I got a nice relaxed trot in both directions with the side reins I took them off, had him trot and canter again each way and then got on. We had one *argument* (I think he thought he was done after the side rein bit) but I didn't feel like dealing with that crap so I pushed him through it and and he came back together quite nicely in the end.


This weekend was a rough one for me for many different reasons so getting on and riding today was therapeutic, exactly what I felt I needed to stay grounded. Other than Dan, being around the horses seems to be the only thing that makes sense in my life right now, so I'm so glad that I at least have that. Otherwise I think I'd lose it.

7 comments:

  1. Damn you are getting REALLY good at riding through those rearing fits! He is so funny with his front end, very busy all the time. He looks great when he just chills out though. Good work with him, sorry you're having a rough time :( I hear you.

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  2. I started using side reins to lunge my mare last fall and it made a huge improvement in her way of going and accepting contact. You are doing a great job :)

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  3. Side reins are one of the best inventions! Love watching you work him on the ground and making him 'get over it'.

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  4. Man he is still sassy isn't he! You handle it great every time!

    What is on your saddle? It is one of those fleece seat savers?

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    1. Yup, just fleece. With it being a new saddle that I wasn't sure was going to fit him long-term I wanted to have something to protect the seat (especially since I like riding in jeans). It works great and it really comfy! Plus, unlike many other seat savers I've used, it velcros front-back with a strap down the channel of the saddle so it doesn't move at all.

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  5. Sorry you're having a hard time. Pony therapy is always the best.

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