Handbook to Rowie

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A- Stock saddle. Fitted with a new girth and a silk surcingal. I use that surcingal because I find the leather ones too thick and uncomfortable.

B- Martingale. We use one of these on all our horses, except Maggie. Mostly just insurance incase they play up out in the paddock, to stop them rearing. Well, that's what it's supposed to do anyhow!

C- Rope halter. These days I leave one of these on Bundy and Maggie under the bridle, simply because when you get off, it's easier to lead them by this than the reins.

D- I use a Player bit on Rowie, a straight bar with about 3 metal peices dangling down from it. Some people use it to keep the horse's attention, some to make them salivate more, but I use it so she'll keep her tongue under the bit because it tickles the bottom of her mouth.

A- I use a leadrope which Rowie broke to tie her up, so it doesn't really matter if she breaks it again. She breaks the metal clip right off, so there's really no use using a good leadrope on her.

B- I use a double half-hitch to tie both the young horses up, Rowie because when she pulls back it's the only knot I can get undone no matter how tight it becomes, an Bundy knows how to undo quick-release knots, but not these!

C- I can never think of the name of this, but it stops the bit from pulling through her mouth. I'm not sure if I posted about it but a while ago she pulled on the reins and the bit came right through her mouth. She's just got such an odd shaped head for bridles.

D- Home-made rein stops, out of old leather.

In other news today, Kodi is coming onto heat, I have a new potty calf to feed although she doesn't know it yet. She's in the yards still bellowing for mum, who went to the abbotiors yesterday. Hopefully when she gets hungry enough she'll come around!