HORSE MANAGEMENT NEWSLETTER AND MORE!!!
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Topics in this issue:
1) Feature: The use of nosebands
2) Recommended products and services: Kerrits Sit Tight breeches
3) Questions and answers: Jumping fear
4) Recommended books, videos, and CD-ROMs: 2 books about school exercises
5) Fun and educational websites: quadrille and rescue videos
6) Featured rule: postponed
7) Horsey Humor: Camping complaints
8) Free item exchange

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Feature: The use of nosebands
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There are many people in this world who make me feel absolutely humble.
These are people whose knowledge extends in ways that I never even imagined.
The Swedish rider Theresa Sandin is one of those people. She has a website
called "Sustainable Dressage" which has very interesting discussions about
topics such as true vs. false collection, lateral work, rollkeur (a.k.a.
riding the horse "deep"), and an extensive section about tack and auxillary
equipment. A person may or may not agree with her, but she definitely makes
a good case for her opinions. The webpages also contain extremely helpful
graphics to illustrate her points. I'd highly recommend the website for any
trainers or dressage riders who ride second level or higher.

The following is an excerpt from her article about the use of nosebands.

by Theresa Sandin

In old engravings of manege [a school where people are taught to ride and
horses trained] riding you hardly see any nosebands. That is because they
were not needed, and thus not used. That's because the true purpose of the
noseband is safety in war and velocity sports. Old style manege mounts
hardly ever went out on the battlefield, nor did they ever reach any high
speeds. They did not even ride the extended trots or canters at that time.
But nowadays...

Imagine that a horse and rider come galloping across a field. In the middle
of the field there is a huge log tied between two trees. They are to jump
this natural obstacle. The horse slips on take-off and does not manage to
get the forelegs over the log, so he and the rider flips over and down on
the other side. Now, the horse has a noseband on, and even though his rider
has lost all control, and is pulling on the reins with his whole weight to
keep his balance, the horse cannot gape open. Such luck! Because on impact,
the nose is first and it takes a real blow, but then the neck bends to the
side and the horse rolls over on the side. The rider is somewhere in orbit.
The lower jaw digs into the dirt like a shovel.

If the noseband had not been there, the horse might have hit the ground with
its mouth wide open, and dug the dirt like a shovel. The risk is high that
the weakest part may have given in, and the horse have broken its jaw,
instead of just jarred his whole head before rolling over to the side. This
was actually not uncommon in the times of Udu Bürger, as he relates in his
book "The Way to Perfect Horsemanship".

In dressage, there's very little risk of nose-diving, at least actually
diving into the dirt. So the noseband is used for other purposes. Well, the
same purpose, of course, shutting the mouth, but for a different reason.

The rider has no other means to position the head and neck than to guide it
with the reins. When a certain neck position is needed to work the horse in
a certain way, the horse might find it easier to just resist by opening the
mouth, than to hold his neck in that certain way, because it loads the hind
legs or relaxes the back. He'd rather gape than work. Many exercises are
heavy and demanding for the horse, and so the temptation for the horse to
just open his mouth instead, is great.

When the young horse seeks the bit, he might do it rather crudely at times.
He might seek support in the bit, so to say. When he does so, a lot of
weight rests on the jaw joint at the temple of the horse via the lower jaw
which is supporting the horse's head on the bit. This joint is NOT made to
take this kind of force while the jaw is wide open. So the horse will shut
his jaw to avoid pain by tensing his jaw muscle, which is the one we are
trying to relax, anyway, so we're back to square one. But in this young
horse, a noseband can support the relative closedness of the jaw and let the
masseter muscle relax, which relaxes the poll, which stops the horse from
leaning on the bit altogether, and the problem is solved. Unless...

The noseband can also be used to shut the mouth of a horse that is ridden
with too much contact, in unnatural and uncomfortable positions, by a
tactless rider. This is, I would say, the norm. The young horse can only be
correctly trained, if, when he relaxes the backwards traction on the reins
is light. Less hand 1/2 pound. If you pull harder than that on the reins
(constantly, in the name of contact) you will cause the horse pain in the
mouth, jaw and poll. This will generate tension, and the horse will try to
escape the tension and pain by opening up his mouth, pulling the tongue up,
sticking it out one side, tilting his head or crossing his jaws.

These kinds of resistances can be concealed by a snug noseband. Especially
one which can be tightened by roller action to really "plaster cast" the
horse's head. This is not only bad because it conceals resistances - it also
creates other resistances. It blocks the horse from arching forwards out of
the withers. This arching movement relies completely upon the ability to
open the jaw 1/4 inch or so and letting the jaw and the tongue drop down
slightly in relaxation.

The article goes on to describe the specific actions of the drop noseband,
flash noseband, crank noseband, grackle noseband, combination lever
noseband, serreta noseband and kineton noseband...to view the entire article
with illustrations go here:

http://www.sustainabledressage.net/tack/bridle.php

And for the whole website go here:

http://www.sustainabledressage.net

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Recommended products and services: Kerrits Sit Tight breeches
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The key to riding is balance. If you're a rider who hasn't quite mastered
perfect balance in all riding situations, you might find that Kerrits brand
"Sit Tight" breeches give you an extra measure of security to help you relax
and find your balance. The "tacky material" clings even better than
deerskin and is grippy even when wet. It also washes well.

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Questions and answers
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Hello Stormy,

I need advice for what to do with my daughter. She is 9 years old, D1, and
rides a 15.1 half Arabian half paint, 17 year gelding who is normally very
well mannered and kid safe. She is doing walk trot dressage and 18"
crossrails. Lately he has started tossing his head a bit when she either
asks him to canter or when she is jumping. This has shaken her confidence
drastically. She has gotten to where she cries when asked to jump and
refuses to jump any verticals even 15" or so. So my question is what to
do...

Do I forget jumping for awhile

Have her jump on a different mount - maybe a pony packer

Have someone experienced ride the horse and see if they can
get him to quit it

She can correct him and when she finally gets mad at him make him mind, but
by this time she is sobbing and I am afraid that in that state she will get
hurt.

Please let me know if you have any advice.

Allison Deaton, parent, Long Run Pony Club

Hi Allison,

Thatıs a great question. Iıll preface my answer by saying that without
seeing the situation directly, there may be key elements that would change
my answer, but Iıll go ahead and give you my best answer based on similar
situations that Iıve run into.

In my opinion, 9 is very young to be jumping 18². I know there are those
kids who can do that and more by age 9, but they are the exception,
certainly not the rule. In my perfect world, all riders would receive
enough longe lessons on school master horses that by the time they were
allowed to pick up the reins and ride off the longe, their hands and seat
would be independent, their legs would be strong, balance would be good, and
they would have a great feel of how to correctly communicate with the horse.
Of course if we did it that way, weıd have a lot less riders who stuck with
it as well.

Iım assuming your daughter hasnıt had the benefit of all this training, and
the result is that she probably isnıt ready to be safely jumping
independently. When an experienced rider looks at a safe horse doing
something like flipping his head, the experienced rider wants to tell the
inexperienced rider to just keep going and that all will be fine, but the
inexperienced riderıs internal warning system (that same system that tells
her not to jump off a cliff) is telling her that there is danger. Her
warning system gets so loud that it incapacitates her by crying. At this
point, the parents and trainer need to seriously evaluate whether there is
an actual danger or is the riderıs mind just getting in the way. From what
youıve described, it sounds like your daughter just isnıt ready. On the
other end of the spectrum, Iıve worked with 14 to 50 year olds who have very
solid seats, and totally reliable mounts but their warning system has gotten
so out of control, that it wonıt let them canter over a pole 4 inches off
the ground. Again, that doesnıt seem to be the case here.

Assuming that your daughter wants to go for her D2 rating in the next year
or two, she will probably find her own motivation for getting back over 18²
when she feels more ready. After the D2 rating, it will typically take 3 or
more years to get to D3, so there isnıt any rush. If I were her trainer Iıd
ask her what her goals were and if they include anything that has to do with
cantering or jumping, Iıd work that into the lessons so that she feels like
sheıs choosing it herself, not being forced to do it.

So, thatıs the theory. The short answer would be: forget jumping for now,
if she really wants to jump later but the particular horse is still scaring
her have her try on more of a packer horse, and in the meantime, have
someone keep the current horse tuned up (maybe riding once a week?) which is
generally a good idea for any kidsı horse.

Stay safe,
Stormy

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Recommended books, videos, and CD-ROMs! School Exercises for Flatwork and
Jumping by Elanor Ross and Progressive School Exercises for Dressage and
Jumping by Islay Auty
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This month I'm featuring 2 books that are both on the enrichment reading
list for USPC upper level ratings. You can choose which one seems better
for you, or buy them both!

School Exercises for Flatwork and Jumping by Elanor Ross

A reviewer from Amazon.com writes:

I have owned this book for 5 years and think it is one of the better,
simplified handbooks for riders and instructors alike. It has clear, concise
diagrams, explanations and ways to problem solve for each exercise, so that
even a novice rider or beginning instructor could easily understand the
exercises and the reasons for them. We were members of US Pony Club growing
up and one of our primary focuses around horses was and is always safety.
The author offers very helpful ways to deal with possible problems/outcomes
during the exercises so that not just the "how" is covered, but the "why" as
well. When instructing novice riders or children, this approach is
particularly helpful. For someone schooling horses on their own, these ideas
are most helpful in creating a positive experience for both horse and rider.
I would recommend this book to any equestrian.

Progressive School Exercises for Dressage and Jumping by Islay Auty

A reviewer from Amazon.com writes:

Many of these exercises are not new to the horse world, however I think this
is a publication every teacher and trainer should have on hand. Sometimes
when teaching I find it difficult to come up with a new exercise to have my
students perform. Even though I have done and taught thousands of them in my
lifetime somehow they never come to mind when I need them. Now I can just
open to any page of this book and have an excellent exercise. The best part
is that they are listed progressively so I know just where to flip for my
beginners, intermediate students and advanced jumping students!

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Fun and educational websites
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Here's a video of some extreme quadrille riding!

http://www.olympiahorseshow.co.uk/show/metvideo.htm

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This is an inspiring video of the rescue of over 100 horses stranded during
a flood in the Netherlands.

http://video.google.nl/videoplay?docid=-4584913278289860160

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Featured rule:
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This section is going to be postponed until the new Horse Management
Handbook is out early next year...stay tuned for the new rulebook!

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(not quite) Horsey humor: Camping complaints
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This isn't horsey humor, but is sure is funny, I couldn't resist adding it.

These are actual comments left on Forest Service registration sheets and
comment cards by backpackers completing wilderness camping trips: (You can
draw your own conclusions.)

* "A small deer came into my camp and stole my bag of pickles. Is there
a way I can get reimbursed? Please call."
* "Escalators would help on steep uphill sections."
* "Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands."
* "Ban walking sticks in wilderness. Hikers that use walking sticks are
more likely to chase animals."
* "All the mile markers are missing this year."
* "Found a smoldering cigarette left by a horse."
* "Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go
uphill."
* "Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray
the wilderness to rid the area of these pests."
* "Please pave the trails so they can be plowed of snow in the winter."
* "Chair lifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful
views without having to hike to them."
* "The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please
eradicate these annoying animals."
* "Reflectors need to be placed on trees every 50 feet so people can
hike at night with flashlights."
* "Need more signs to keep area pristine."
* "A McDonald's would be nice at the trail head."
* "The places where trails do not exist are not well marked."
* "Too many rocks in the mountains."

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Free item exchange
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**FREE**FREE**FREE**

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Submit your free horse-related items or services here. If you or your club
has items they are willing to pass along to a new family, this is a great
place to list them. Listings can come from any part of the country, or even
overseas!

Free items may include but are not limited to:

riding clothes
rally equipment
horse-related games and toys
tack and training equipment
blankets, wraps, halters
books or magazines
horse-related artwork
and of course...horses and ponies!

The recipient may be expected to handle any shipping costs.

Please provide a phone and/or email contact with each listing. Items will
be listed in the next HM Newsletter and will not be renewed unless an
additional email is sent asking for the listing to be continued.

So...clean out your tackroom and make room for more stuff!

To submit your items, simply reply to this email or write to:
stormy@... .

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Call for submissions
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Help make this newsletter the best it can be. Do you have any issues you'd
like to see addressed here? How about ideas for recommended products, books,
or videos? Want to submit your own article, or a question for the questions
and answers section? Send them to: stormy@... and I'll keep a log
of topics and articles for upcoming issues.