 | ||||
| ||||
Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Tack Discussion > Imus Comfort Gait Bit™ Discussions > How to transition your horse to the ICB |
| | ||||
| ||||
Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Tack Discussion > Imus Comfort Gait Bit™ Discussions > How to transition your horse to the ICB |
| Big News in GOG-land! Big News in GOG-land! Big News in GOG-land! Please see the Special Announcements Section! Big News in GOG-land! Big News in GOG-land! Big News in GOG-land! Please see the Special Announcements Section! Big News in GOG-land! Big News in GOG-land! Big News in GOG-land! Please see the Special Announcements Section! |
| Moderated by: Brenda Im | Page:   1 2 |
|
|||||||||||||
| How to transition your horse to the ICB | Rate Topic |
| Author | Post |
|---|
| Posted: Mon Aug 24th, 2009 03:06 am |
|
21st Post |
|
gaitedsarah G.O.G Community Member 
|
Yes, I've been riding her in a curb bit since I got her about 2 years ago. She's done well in it, but does have some rushing issues that I had hoped the ICB will help. As of now, she doesn't like it! I'll try what you suggested tomorrow and keep you posted. I appreciate your advice!
____________________ GaitedSarah Life is a journey...enjoy the ride! |
||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Posted: Mon Aug 24th, 2009 02:59 am |
|
22nd Post |
|
whattarack Pasture Boss 
|
You can put her in the bit and try some flexing exercises from the ground. This will give you an opportunity to make any adjustments to the bridle or curb strap that might me needed. Then if you think she is ready, mount up and walk (no gaiting) as you work on circles and serpentines. Remember about direct reining and make sure you really are giving slack on one rein as you take on the other. Has she been in a curb bit before? If not, you might want to start with the reins on the snaffle ring.
____________________ Being Offended is Optional. |
|||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| Posted: Mon Aug 24th, 2009 02:25 am |
|
23rd Post |
|
gaitedsarah G.O.G Community Member
|
Yes...bonehead that I am...I read Brenda's post on transitioning AFTER I tried it on the trail today! Anyway, I'm going to try working in the pasture with her tomorrow, but I'm wondering if I should bit her up first??? Or...under saddle? Thanks for the quick reply Whatta!!w2
____________________ GaitedSarah Life is a journey...enjoy the ride! |
||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Posted: Mon Aug 24th, 2009 02:18 am |
|
24th Post |
|
whattarack Pasture Boss
|
I had a planned ride with a few friends todayso I thought I'd give it a try and see how she did.Transitioning will probably be easier for your horse in a training/exercise atmosphere. Then, with some time on your hands to work out the low leading rein circles and other transitioning exercises listed on the board, your horse should do better. Don't expect her to know what to do, make it a training time for both of you to get acquainted with the bit.
____________________ Being Offended is Optional. |
|||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| Posted: Mon Aug 24th, 2009 12:21 am |
|
25th Post |
|
gaitedsarah G.O.G Community Member
|
Hi Brenda, I got my ICB yesterday. I was so excited to try it out but I didn't get a chance yesterday afternoon. I had a planned ride with a few friends todayso I thought I'd give it a try and see how she did. She's usually pretty easy going. I had hoped that Sarah would adjust easily to the bit, but she didn't. She threw her head all over the place any time I pulled even a little bit. She got very "HOT" and firey and I couldn't get her to settle in to the bit. I had to end up switching back to my regular bit about 15 minutes in to get her to ride safely. My friend suggested I "bit her up" in the paddock for a few hours for a few days, and then try it again. Do you recommend this approach? Or, would it be more important to get her used to it under saddle? Thanks for your advice.
____________________ GaitedSarah Life is a journey...enjoy the ride! |
||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Posted: Thu Jul 9th, 2009 02:06 pm |
|
26th Post |
|
Brenda Im Pasture Boss 
|
To transition a horse from a regular curb bit to the Imus Comfort Bit: Bridle your horse, adjusting the bit so that it has firm contact (not so firm that the horse has a forced 'smile') at the corners of the mouth. The mouthpiece will extend beyond, or outside, the corners of the mouth by as much as 1/2" on either side. This is normal, and contributes to the overal action of the bit. If other people tell you your bit is too big, just plug your ears and go "La la la, I can't hear you." In time you horse's improved behavior will speak for itself! Over time, you may want to increase contact at the horse's lips - your horse will tell you via his responses how much contact is comfortable for him (her). The curb chain should be installed on the upper ring of the bit, beneath the headstall, and adjusted so there is room for 3 fingers to be inserted between the curb chain and the chin groove when the reins are at rest. Attach the reins on the lower rings of the shank. When you first ride with this bit, take your horse to an open spot and ask for large, loopy circles and figure eights using a leading (plow) rein, held low. Be sure to take all pressure off the outside rein when taking on the inside rein. Too often riders instinctively pull up on the outside rein - as in neck reining - while pulling back on the inside. This gives conflicting signals, and will confuse your horse. The mouthpiece of the bit has independent, side to side action. When you take on the rein, the mouthpiece does not exert a direct pull, but that side rotates down on the horse's tongue and bars. This encourages the horse to lower and drop his head into the turn, resulting in a very soft, supple response. After just a few minutes your horse will learn to respond to this new type of bit, and you can resume riding as usual - except it won't be as usual, because you will now have a much happier and more agreeable riding partner! PB 
____________________ It's not always about trying to fix something that's broken. Maybe it's about starting over and creating something better. |
|||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| Current time is 02:39 am | Page: 1 2 |
| Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Tack Discussion > Imus Comfort Gait Bit™ Discussions > How to transition your horse to the ICB | Top |
