New tack

[CarolU]

Well, as some of you know (some, like Cindy and Jamie REALLY know) Rosie is very diagonal. One of the things recommended to me to help her learn to work off her hind quarters more was a rear-end collector. So, I look at the web and decide for THAT much money, I can make one! :D

I'm out in the round coral with Rosie saddled and straps going every which way, cutting ropes, punching holes in the leather straps and lacing them together with latigos. I'm sure it looked like I was dressing her as a Christmas tree.

My husband asks, "What are you building?"

"A rear-end collector, for Rosie."

So he steps back, turns his head this way and that, looking hard at Rosie's rump from several sides (remember, he's a biologist), and says, "Just WHAT is WRONG with her rear end that needs collecting?"

[pasohappy]

Pictures please !!! :D

[PLEASURE PASOFINO]

Carol, I second PASOHAPPY!!!!!!! we need pictures!!!!! I wonder what Rosie was thinking too...... :lol:

[CarolU]

Oh Rosie was NOT impressed!!! She bucked!!! And bucked it off to the side...so she knows how to get rid of it. I may have to tie it to her tail for a bit.

[PLEASURE PASOFINO]

:roll: :roll: :roll: PICTURES PLEASE!!!!!!!!

[Terry Wallace]

Carol... I would bet tying her tail may be enough for her to engage better and thereby move better...

Got rear cinch rings on your western saddle? Run some light cord from those to her tail and try it.... she probably does not like the "harness effect" over her hips from a "collector"..... and I use that word begrudgingly!

[PLEASURE PASOFINO]

Terri, do you mean a two strap crupper?

[Terry Wallace]

NO...not a crupper.....nope, nix the crupper....cruppers are for holding saddles in postion.

I mean to take a light cord, one from each rear cinch ring, go to the tail, just above the hocks...take a couple wraps around it and tie a pretty bow in the cord! Let that filly feel the cords alongside her hind legs..and on her tail...All this does is "still the tail" which is what a "collector" (eeewww, Caliber I do not like that word for that item because it does not "collect"...it stills the tail...lets call it a "tail still"!!!)
truley does.

Putting a "butt-collector" of the harness type over the hips of some horses will make them very apprehensive and possible make a horse angry...and apparently Ms. Rosie is angered by the "collector" so time to try something else...something "lesser"....like light cords to the tail...

[CarolU]

Well, there are two schools of thought on the "rear-end collector." One says it only quiets the tail, and the other says that it inhibits the strung-out behind stride and forces the horse to keep their hind legs under themselves. The trainer who recommended it suggested it just TOO limit the strung out behind stride, and it certainly seems to do this and square her up. I did not make a 'web' like you see, but used a single strap at the largest point of the hip - not under the buttock. It took her no time to get her tail over and out of it. I wouldn't quiet a tail...I think they are important to the horse for communication.

You might also say that bucking is another form of communication! LOL

[Terry Wallace]

You can also limit that movement with just the cords.... all it does is make the horse aware that there is something on the side of the hind legs and goes around to the tail...which encompases the "whole rear end"....
very similar to driving in long reins... but more limiting.

Think of driving in long reins in a circle... the outside rein trails over the outside hock, the horse feels it of course and it helps the horse keep a good circle.

Now, try it with a cord to each side, tied to the tail in the middle..same principle except you are now engaging both hind legs...you do not make the cords tight on the legs... they hang somewhat and just keep that movement in check. Maybe I should get a photo of what I mean. I ride Sultan this way sometimes..... and he was trained with light cords to help keep him "in check" on his hind leg movement.

[Cindy]

Carol, while either method will initially get her to move more under herself, as soon as she gets used to it being there it will be ineffective for this purpose. So good luck with your whole process but do not expect this to help your horse to collect and get under herself past the first couple of days use.

[Jasfino]

Lots of backing.. working off the seat...half halts immediately going into the walk... has helped Jasper.