My last ride on Pyro before Thanksgiving holiday, his respiratory infection, and my concussion was over 11 weeks (nearly THREE MONTHS) ago.
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Photo from 11/24/2024 for proof |
I was working on fitting his WOW saddle, and we tried a new bit from
Agador's for the first time.
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I had adjusted the balance front to back via the air panels. | I wasn't sure how the full cheek would work with the Micklem, but I wanted to offer him some lateral clarity. |
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Agador's SmoothRide Full Cheek Snaffle (5.25") |
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I ordered it hoping he'd like the shape of this mouthpiece more than the Myler Comfort Snaffle. |
It was the kind of ride where we didn't get a ton of "training" done, but I was feeling out how comfortable the tack changes were for both him and me. It was productive in it's own way, and I thought we might be onto something. Then, shit hit the fan.
I'm happy/relieved/excited to report that Monday evening I finally put my big girl panties on and swung a leg over Pyro.
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I got some major side eye for sitting on him again. |
To his credit, he was a saint the entire 10 minutes we walked around together, with zero shenanigans. Similarly to Missy, I rode him in the super grippy bareback pad plus neck strap, and I didn't miss stirrups as I focused on my balance and proprioception through my seat.
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He was quiet enough that Tessa even opted to walk with us. |
It was an interesting sensation, being so aware of his conformation, how he swings his back and shoulders, how my pelvis has to move to follow him, the way my legs drape around his sides, and how we balanced together after such a long time. It's a completely different feel from riding Miss.
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His bridle had the addition of bit keepers for the full cheek. I'm not thrilled about how the top of the full cheek overlaps with the bridle, but I decided to let him tell me what he thought of it. |
We spent most of our time on a loose rein, but I did pick up light contact to work on coordinating my body with steady hands. To my surprise, his mouth was very quiet. There was none of the rooting, pushing, or trying to get his tongue over the bit that often occurs when I pick up contact.
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I'm grateful the neck strap is long enough that I can hold both it and the reins. There were times I feel myself tipping off my balance point, and I could catch myself on the neck strap rather than his mouth. |
He was quiet, polite, and attentive the whole ride, and I got "real world" vestibular therapy. My brain was tired, but not wrecked. While I need more data points, it seems he may like this new bit with the addition of keepers. If his mouth stays this quiet and accepting, even with the slight overlap of the top of the cheek piece with the bridle, then I may have found something he's comfortable with.
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Good baby dragon |
I'm grateful to have a youngster who can come back from a break of this length and be this settled. As a friend pointed out, it's "almost like [I] trained him well". I'm well aware I've made (and continue to make) mistakes in his training, but if he is at least willing to look after me and provide a safe, steady ride, then I've done something right.
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Thanks, buddy |
Oooh interesting bit! I keep debating trying some different bits with Dee, but to be honest she's so happy with her single jointed 30 yo D ring snaffle I am terrified to swap her, and with all the drama that she brings to a double jointed bit. I'll have to keep those in mind, I'm interested in trying a Myler but they look a liiiitttle more budget friendly than Myler. Glad to see you back in the tack!!
ReplyDeleteYes, Agador's specifically tries to keep their bits at an approachable price point, with many set at $60 currently. It has made trying bits for Pyro easier (don't have to scour FB for the perfect used bit) and more affordable (not a $100+ Myler).
DeleteAnd hey, if it ain't broke... I tried Pyro in a single jointed snaffle once, and he had a meltdown. 😅
Welcome to 4R Ranch! Reading your blog for the first time sent me scrolling back to see how you got a concussion. Bones might heal faster than brains, sounds like you have been through a lot. You have two adorable horses and sound like a great equestrian. Looking forward to following your blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I always have more to learn, but I try to do my best for them. I just found your blog too, and am enjoying reading it. <3
DeleteI'm sorry happy to hear that you are feeling better. Ir's a big deal to get on a greenie when you haven't been feeling great, it must be a bit of a relief to get that first rides back on him done with and successful.
ReplyDeleteYes, the few rides on Missy plus a streak of "good brain days" gave me the confidence to try it. Pyro and I both need to rebuild our fitness, so it's great to have "saddle time" as an option.
DeleteGreat job to both of you! I do weekly bareback rides with Butterball and I LOVE the information I get about my own crookedness and his back through the ride. Completely unrelated, but Pyro has a gorgeous tail!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yes, I think I'll be using the bareback pad quite a lot going forward as I work on my balance and alignment.
DeleteAnd I am grateful Pyro got the good hair gene (and a dark colored tail), because his tail is so much less work than Missy's! Pyro's I just spray in some conditioner and brush out the shavings once or twice a week. His tail also grows so quickly that I have to bang it much more frequently than Missy's. Not to brag, but his mane grows in perfectly too (the ideal thickness, so no need to pull) and so quickly that he grew out the roach I did for last show season in the 3 months off work, lol. #Blessed 🙏
Woo hoo for being back in the saddle !
ReplyDelete*cue dance party* 💃🎉
DeleteWhat a fantastic update! I'm so happy for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :D
DeleteI’m happy for you! And jealous! But mostly happy. 😃
ReplyDeleteI love my Agador bit.
:) Which bit do you use?
DeleteYay! Such a relief to see you back on board <3
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm relieved it went as smoothly as it did.
DeleteWhat a good boy! And it had to feel amazing to be back on him. PS- your leg looks great!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm grateful I retained what my coach has drilled into me over the past few years in that department.
Deleteomfg a bit that comes in a 6" size.
ReplyDeletei might have to do that.
Yes! They have quite the range, from Pony to Biggun, lol.
DeleteHa... so I have to admit the first photo without the keepers had my biting my tongue, but I was relieved to see keepers as I kept reading. Lol, sorry. I try not to be this person, but here I am. I do see what you're concerned about with it resting on the noseband, but hopefully that won't be an issue.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, so glad you were feeling well enough to get back on Pyro. Sounds like he remembers the important things! Good boy Pyro!
Yeah, the keepers came from a different store, so they hadn't arrived yet at the time of the earlier ride, but I still wanted to see what he thought of the mouth piece shape. He didn't have major objections either ride, but I prefer how it lies with the keepers.
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