So you bought a new horse. Want to keep it the same?
Make sure your saddle fits and is placed in the right place. We like airflex girths.
We ride on the scapula, not behind. Saddles need to sit level and stay level while riding.
Western: We ride a 3/4 rig, 7 inch gullet with flared front on a flat bar tree. We use several different pads to ensure fit. We ride Kowalsky Saddles.
Most of our western horses ride in a 3 piece o ring.
What tree is in your saddle? FQHB is not an answer. There is no industry standard and varies by manufacturer.
Full rig doesnt stay on the shoulder unless your horse has a very sloped shoulder blade.
Does your horse have a long wither? Trees with a flat bar fit this better than a twist or rock to the bar.
English: We ride wide trees and for most horses with a half pad. We use the back two billets to keep the saddle in place on most horses.
Most of our horses ride in a 3 piece dee ring
Make sure your horse has turn out. Lots of it. Horses have a better brain and life with lots of turn out.
Make sure you use the same bit.
Make sure you dont feed more than the energy you are using.
All of a sudden temperment changes? Does it need a routine chiropractic adjustment?
Farrier should be 4 to 6 weeks in the summer and 6 weeks in the winter.
Dental every 6 months to 12 months depending on the horse.
This is the same horse. First pic is here with our snaffle bit & a saddle that fits.
2nd pic shank bit. Full rig, narrow saddle, sitting downhill & behind the shoulder.
Typical bits we use
Everytime you handle or ride your horse, you are teaching it. Whether that is teaching it right or teaching it wrong. Lessons are valuable. No one should be unteachable.
If this horse is good for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 months or a year, etc...
Then its "not good" there is probably a problem that can be addressed above.....