Moving Forward

[Lise Escobar]

Shakirah and I are spending a lot of time together and are getting to know each other better each day. She is so sweet and is beginning to trust me more and more. She talks to me when I come out my front door and nudges me when she is grazing just to make sure I am there. She let me put fly spray on her and a fly mask without hesitation. We have been working on riding together. She hates the bit and I have tried a few different ones on her. She does best with a snaffle and English bridle. We are working on going where I tell her to go, trotting and walking on command and doing nice round circles at the walk and trot. When she is done, she just stops and puts her ears back and tries to do a great buck. But she never really gets a good buck in. She even cantered the other day with her friend Zoe and my daughter Elisabeth. She tolerated me on top of her flopping around as I tried to get balanced with her canter! It was probably hilarious to watch. I was very proud of her though!

[myhorsefaith]

Hey Lise-

I put my bitless bridle in the car yesterday to bring tonight for you to try.

[Lise Escobar]

Shakirah had a bit of a cold last week. She had a snotty nose and a cough. She told me she didn't feel good by trying to buck when I rode her. Her bucks are not very powerful, although she thinks they are! When I got home from riding, I could see her snotty nose and she was coughing. I put her on antibiotics after talking to my vet. Today I took her to a round pen to give her some exercise and see if she would cough. She is better!!! I am very excited and will ride her tomorrow. Finally! She is so darn cute1

[T90ValleyGirl]

Hi there. Sorry for the very late reply post, but just wondering how it is going with Shakira. Have you ever thought of trying Dr. Cook's Bitless Bridle? My Arab gelding, Turk, (the spitting image of Shakira) was always fussy with a bit...lots of head shaking and tossing, antsy, wouldn't stand still when mounting, never really relaxed when riding, would ride through the bit, etc. So one day I ordered the bitless bridle. It actually took me a good six months to work up the courage to try the darn thing after I bought it. I figured it would either be the greatest thing in the world or I'd end up dead in my pasture after Turk figured out I had no way to control him and bolted. What a surprise it was when I climbed in the saddle. The difference was IMMEDIATE. Turk was calm and relaxed while I mounted, and then we started moving around. No head shaking or throwing, no jigging. Just a calm and happy horse. And I tell you, I have WAY more control over Turk now. He stops on a dime in the bitless bridle. No more evading the bit and refusing the stop. Now we've even just started doing some cow work, and everyone is amazed how well the bitless bridle works. In any case, just a suggestion.

[Lise Escobar]

Wow, thank you for the information. I used a flash for awhile and haven't the last few times we have ridden. But she still plays a bit with the bit, not as much as before, but more than other horses. So I will try your suggestion. I want her to be relaxed and enjoy our rides because I certainly do! She is the best! Thanks again, and I will let you know how it works.