I had a lovely hack this evening on Radar. The deer were out, as they have been the last few times that I have ridden in the evening. They are beautiful creatures.
Radar is getting used to the draw reins and spending more and more time relaxing downwards and forwards and releasing them into loops. Occasionally, I have to winch his head in to get it through to him that we are not going to march along throwing ourselves all over the road, but he gets it quickly and I can release him. I find it much more relaxing than trying to get the same result any other way.
I know that there are people who think that draw reins are the work of the devil, and that I should school him to get him right. But he hates arena work, so why should I subject him to that, when I can use draw reins out on a hack that he wants to do, and have them not doing anything except act as a martingale for 99% of the time?
I didn't ride the others, but Ace spent the day with boots on his back feet and I can already see growth in 24 hours, so at least they are putting down some horn now. The inner/outer hoof wall split seems to be stopping, and there is an event line about 5mm from the floor on the fronts which I believe is from when he first came to me. I'm hoping for better foot once that hits the ground, and then another improvement in 3 months with the next line. Meanwhile there also appear to be two foot angle changes, one to what we have now and another even steeper growing in at the top. I wonder what he will move like when his feet are cooked - an angel or a donkey :-) ?
C
I generally don't like draw reins or any such artificial rigs (Martingales are for safety.) But when you have training issues with a horse like Radar, no problem whatsoever. And here's why:
ReplyDeleteFirst, you have spent a good deal of time trying to "reason" with him without them, all to no avail. He's learned to "do his thing" for a long time despite your efforts.
Second, you are an extremely skilled and talent rider who will absolutely not abuse the reins and teach him to go all wrong in them.
Third, Radar is a big boy and very powerful. The reins give you just enough edge to get through to him.
Fourth, I am ever hopeful that once Radar gets convinced that going correctly and round is actually more comfortable and gives him even more athletic ability, he will no longer need the reins.
Fifth, they are working!!!
Draw reins have their place, I used them on my horse when she was young and unschoolable - it made her feel safe, and when she relaxed, I dropped the draw reins - simples.
ReplyDeleteGood stuff with Ace's feet, I had another "result" after recommending a diet that fed enough protein to a "laminitic" prone pony today. Amazing horn growth and near erradication of infections in 6 weeks. 15% minimum in a feed balancer, top spec Antilam did it for this particular pony and I haven't bothered with that product for a few years now.
Yay
Well, yes they certainly work. He did the most lovely relaxed walk for a lot of the time, best ever.
ReplyDeleteGreat happenings today Tracey. The edge that was about 5mm off the floor a couple of days ago hit the floor today. I rasped off the little lip to stop it fraying, and the stuff immediately above it was so hard it stopped the rasp dead and I rasped my thumb down it instead :-) A load of dead sole has also fallen out leavig smoother and much harder stuff behind, and greater concavity. We are getting there!
C
Good good. That's what we want to hear.
ReplyDeleteWell thankyou for the sympathy for the rasped thumb! "that's what we want to hear" :-) :-) :-)
ReplyDeleteC