OH purchased Mr Bentley (MW Irish draught) to keep me company 3 or 4 years ago, rode him once or twice and decided it was not for him but that was fine cos I had a good friend who rode him out with me :dance: he was a lovely boy - rode in a snaffle and really well behaved.
Anyhow for one reason or another friend couldnt ride him for about a year and he became a field ornament with an occasional groom of guilt from OH or odd tootle round the field.
OH has now found a young lady who is loaning him but he is still in our field. Young lady has had it explained he hasnt done much work for a good year and will need to be bought back gently - he was only passed for light hacking when we got him - Mr Bentley initially seemed so much happier that he was getting his fare share of attention again and we were really happy with young lady but (finally get on to the bit bit) he has tanked off a couple of times with her, which is not something he ever used to do, he is also napping, have explained he needs time to regain his confidence - he never used to go out alone either - but she has now bought him a 3 link gag - my daughter who knows a lot more than me says it is a really cruel bit unless young lady knows exactly what she is doing.
My gut feeling is its early days, Mr B just needs to get to know young lady and build up a trust and if he used to be ok in a snaffle then he will be again if she is willing to put in a bit of work.
Any thoughts?
I am planning to go out with her once a week for a gentle hack over ground we used to do with my friend as I dont think his 'behaviour' should be steamrollered over by just using a stronger bit - or am I just a soft, thick old whoosy
Anyhow for one reason or another friend couldnt ride him for about a year and he became a field ornament with an occasional groom of guilt from OH or odd tootle round the field.
OH has now found a young lady who is loaning him but he is still in our field. Young lady has had it explained he hasnt done much work for a good year and will need to be bought back gently - he was only passed for light hacking when we got him - Mr Bentley initially seemed so much happier that he was getting his fare share of attention again and we were really happy with young lady but (finally get on to the bit bit) he has tanked off a couple of times with her, which is not something he ever used to do, he is also napping, have explained he needs time to regain his confidence - he never used to go out alone either - but she has now bought him a 3 link gag - my daughter who knows a lot more than me says it is a really cruel bit unless young lady knows exactly what she is doing.
My gut feeling is its early days, Mr B just needs to get to know young lady and build up a trust and if he used to be ok in a snaffle then he will be again if she is willing to put in a bit of work.
Any thoughts?
I am planning to go out with her once a week for a gentle hack over ground we used to do with my friend as I dont think his 'behaviour' should be steamrollered over by just using a stronger bit - or am I just a soft, thick old whoosy