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Nicky Frechette and Lundi
ACTHA Monthly | September 2015 | 14
but our biggest struggle at the event was my poor choice to switch his bridle. I have never ridden him in a western shank bit before so he didn't understand the different pressure he was feeling on his mouth. Every time I took up contact with his mouth he would throw his head up, something he had never done before. Given our learning experience I am still very proud of him and everything we were able to accomplish that day." ~ Junior Rider Rebecca Howell
Tips:
I should do a “Dear Abby” article on the “where, whens and hows” horses balk at bridges, and have readers send in their own unique experiences. You could hear the responses couldn’t you? “My horse never listens to me when I ask him to cross that darn bridge. He can be so unreeeasonable!”
My response would be, “Waiting for your horse to decide to cross the bridge, giving him a moment to consider what he’s getting into, could be a crucial response from you to consider, too bad waiting always lasts so long.”
Folks, dadgummit, a bridge is a big deal to a horse! Visually it could be a trap, and secondly, because it makes a strange noise. If you have a step-up bridge like I do, stepping up can be a major diplomatic negotiation between horse and rider. The sensitive
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