Equipment Change

If you have a keen eye, you may have noticed Pig sporting some changed equipment in recent photos. And, if you follow Instagram, you're probably even more aware of some of them. So as a quick note, let's break down what I've changed in the last two months!

1. The Noseband

So regal. Such a disaster of a bridle.

Normally, Pig goes in a drop noseband. I use a drop almost exclusively to mitigate my busy hands. The drop holds the bit steadier in his mouth while I figure myself out. We both appreciate that.

However, Pig bashed his head on something a month ago and ended up with a cut right where the strap for the drop rubs. The strap kept irritating the cut, so I ended up switching him to a regular English noseband. The white padding does nothing for his face, and it has brass buckles, where everything else on his bridle is silver. But, the new noseband does not rub. Soo... #functionbeatsform

We'll switch back to the drop when the scab finally falls off, but until then the English noseband is just fine. Honestly, we probably don't need the drop any more.

2. The Bit

Mmmm brass and silver and white. Mmmm bleeding eyes. Mmmm...

After having a conversation with my trainer about choosing bits, I had it in the back of my mind to try Pig in a snaffle with a more welcoming metal than stainless steel. He's always been so tough in the bridle (part of which is me, of course!), and I wondered if a different metal might make a difference. I've been thinking about this for so long, I even wrote about it back in November.

Luckily, I had a Herm Sprenger KK Ultra bradoon hanging around, so I decided to just toss it on his bridle to see how he went in it.

The result? It's not a miracle bit. Pig is still slightly difficult to get to accept contact, and still a little stiff in the poll. However, there is a difference. His mouth feels ... softer? with this bit. He might be tight and stiff in his back and neck, but he's more willing in his mouth. Overall, it seems to just encourage him to be more present in my hand. Any little bit of encouragement there is a plus in my book, so the bradoon stays.

Now the question: Do I just show him in the bradoon? Or buy the KK Ultra snaffle version? I'm actually leaning towards just showing with the bradoon. The rings don't look silly small on him, though the brass with silver kind of bugs me. I am also the cheapest person I know. I'll probably just stick with this.

3. Fleece!

Wow, this is a terrible photo.

After trying a Mattes pad on Pig for a few rides, I liked how much more even the sweat patterns on his back and saddle pads appeared. So, I went searching for a fleece pad of my own. I scored a used Dover pad for $45. I've seen the Dover pads before, and the quality is pretty good. I wasn't disappointed. While the pad is definitely in a used condition, it does the job just fine. It's maybe a smidgen too small, but doesn't seem to effect the saddle fit poorly.

Pig goes fine in the pad, but he goes about the same in every saddle/pad/fitting configuration you can think up. The horse just does not mind saddle fit. I am comforted by the more even sweat patterns, though. Overall? The pad stays.

How about you guys? Any new changes going on with your tack for spring? Other than PS of Sweden? I mean, come on guys. We aren't made of money! ;)