Me and my favorite horse, pictures and mild bragging

[ZinniaZ]

Take a look again at the trail pix. He was most definitely NOT on the bit, nor was he 'elevated'. Again, the double is not used that way. You can't lift a horse with the double and you should NOT.

Schooling in the double is tried and true. Look at the millions of pictures available online. There are so many horses schooled in the double. How on earth woiuld you show in the double if you never schooled in it? It's not an instrument of torture-- it's subtle when used correctly, which I hope I am doing. I trust my instructor to tell me when I am screwing this up. My instructor is VERY competent and HER instructor is as well. I take lessons with both of them.

The instructor's instructor trained with some of the biggest most classical names out there. SHE is the one who told me to put him in the double and ride him in it every day, and only ride him in the snaffle to test him.

Kneejerk reactions such as yours are not really very informed or friendly.

[ZinniaZ]

Eh, I'm sorry I sniped at you. It's just that I post on a dressage board and they can be very picky... and they didn't go after me for these things. But you deserve a good answer and it is this:

I trust my instructor. I trust my horse to tell me when I ask too much of him and he is not telling me that.

If you want to talk technically about the use of the double, ask away. I will stop being defensive and crabby.

[Maize411]

You have a very beautiful horse..I wish so badly I could have a horse..but I don't have the money nor the space or time for one..maybe one day though...till then I will just keep admiring the ones around me..You and your horse make a great pair :0)

[Montessa Python]

Why are you schooling in a double bridle??
I always thought that when schooling vs showing that you would only do serious prep work in the double bridle.
In the ASB world they usually only use a normal snaffle.
I had always thought that in dressage that you would school in a snaffle.
Every one I have seen do working or schooling of dressage horses has been in snaffles, even the more expensive horses and pricey barns.. As it were..
And trail riding??? In a double bridle... Uh.. Perhaps talking to a trainer on better control or a different bit so you can enjoy him and not have him think he HAS to be elevated and on the bit ALL the time... Just saying..

Didn't any notice all the question marks??
I DO ride dressage. I don't actually ride Saddleseat but they are one of the ones who most ride in double bridles except for some country pleasure and english pleasure in the arab world.
And the word THINK

have him think

...
A horse gets used to going a certain way when certain bits of equipment OR aids are used.
I of course had NO way of knowing that she only had that bridle for that ride.
I don't think any one else did either.
I am sorry if it came off in any way judgemental, I was more surprised and questioning so I could be educated. I only ride at training level dressage, and will never be at the level she is schooling OR showing or riding.
I have trained my ASB X, we have done combined training, dressage, barrel racing, trail riding, and now english pleasure and will be driving.
I ride problem horses and mostly trail ride.. I am 39 yet have no clue on a lot of things.

Carol

[ZinniaZ]

Hey there, please reread my apology in my third post after yours. I know I jumped at you. I normally don't do that and I am sorry I did here. It's perfectly fine to question-- you know, for the good of the horse etc.

I AM sorry.

Hopefully no hard feelings.

[SlitherinSisters]

Oh he is so pretty!!!

[ballpythonluvr]

Your horse is very beautiful. I just love horses but I do not have the time or money to care for one. I guess I can still dream though, lol!

[ZinniaZ]

Your horse is very beautiful. I just love horses but I do not have the time or money to care for one. I guess I can still dream though, lol!

You could take an occasional lesson or lease one for a trail ride every now and then? OR you could volunteer for a therapeutic riding place. Then you'd get to groom, etc and help out in other ways and be around horses. Horses are life changing.