Building Confidance in a Nappy / barn sour Horse, Bitless & In a Total Contact Saddle

First Ride after a challenging ride where nappy horse looses confidence and spins and bolts for home.
This blog demonstrates how I revisit the problem area and allow myself and Thor to take two steps back ,including getting off, to provide leadership and build confidence in my boy, which ultimately ends in a giant leap forward (finger crossed) for future solo hacking.

[@pondarosalife7790]

I love your videos. I’m currently starting my 2 mares, who are 6yrs old, and your wonderful honest videos gives me confidence that I can do my own ride training with them. Thank you for recording your journey and rides.

[@MrMrsTEquestrian]

Oh wow thank you so much! I started these videos to Vlog my rides with my wife and as they have progressed I've started using them to log and reflect on the challenges Thor an I have overcome as a partnership. As its good for me to look back and see how far we have come. The fact they are now providing confidance and inspiration to others is not somthing I expected but I'm thrilled it's helping others. ..... I'm a car guy deep down and this meant to be a way to spend time with my wife, little did I know I'd take to this as lifestyle choice..... I genuinely didn't think it would be this challenging or infinitely rewarding. And I just adore the lad. Part two of this series coming soon!

[@jillyshorseyadventures9278]

Thank you so much for your videos, which I find really helpful!

[@jillyshorseyadventures9278]

I'd like to share a video with you and ask your advice. Do you have somewhere I could send it please?

[@MrMrsTEquestrian]

Glad you find them helpful, happy to take a look :)

[@jillyshorseyadventures9278]

@@MrMrsTEquestrian thank you, I've emailed it to you :-)

[@forestequestrian9290]

My horse can get quite nappy when we ride out alone. In a group he's great but on his own he can be anxious. Nice video, Thor definitely handled that like a champ! Will follow your progress. Subscribed 😀 ❤

[@MrMrsTEquestrian]

Welcome Aboard Rose 🌹 ☺ thank you 😁 Thor's always had a nap in him but the whole point of this channel was to Vlog our progress and make it a bit(lol) relatable.

[@forestequestrian9290]

@@MrMrsTEquestrian Thanks! Love it! Mines the same, I've just started but i can't wait to look back one day and see how far we've come with all our current challenges. We only started riding bitless properly in the beginning of the year then he fell sick so we're technically only really riding bitless for about a true month! Theres already such a big difference its insane. But tbh its channels like yours that gave me the confidence to go bitless in the first place, so thank you!

[@MrMrsTEquestrian]

That's really nice to hear, we think it's important to show the challenging as well as the good. As far as being bitless Is concerned we just wouldn't do it any other way. I've had many people tell me to ride Thor in a bit because of his napping behavior, but with respect once he's decided to go no bit would stop him. His napping isn't his failure it's mine, I've failed to make him feel safe and confident. But we are getting stronger and stronger with every ride. 💪

[@forestequestrian9290]

@@MrMrsTEquestrian Yes, I totally feel you. Forest can and has bolted with me many a time, usually from being over stimulated and I tell you, no bit would stop him in those moments. In fact, I find taking the bit away has helped a lot, because there's no pain to add fuel to his adrenaline. He doesn't reach those heights as easily and is far more relaxed bitless. People are much to quick to just increase tack and pressure when there's a problem instead of dealing with the root. Sorry a bit of a ramble! I could chat about bitless stuff for hours lol!

[@MrMrsTEquestrian]

Hi! Mrs T here 👋 I totally agree with the reduced stress response after removing the bit. I had a very similar experience with my mare Marnie. She's 29 and retired now so you don't see her in the videos. She was a very talented nappy rearer. Marnie could rear vertical then choose to either just literally leave us hanging, spin and land flat out or land into something as acrobatically creative. My mum suggested bitless to which I replied 'are you insane?' then one day I had the ride to end all rides and figured it couldn't get any worse. With nothing to lose I used the bitless on our next ride and Marnie was a different horse. I've never used a bit since, even if it did result in 15 years (and counting 🙈) of smugness from the Mother 😂. Ooo... It would appear we can all talk all day about bitless lol! You're definitely in good company here for that 🙂