roxy's_mom
Well-Known Member
Howdy all! I'm in the process of retraining my driving horse. I've been showing this horse in driving for three going on four years now. I pulled her out of the pasture the start of this summer to get her ready for my local open show season. I started working her the same way I always have every year but somehow from late last fall until the beginning of this summer she's forgotten and had gotten terrified of everything that involved driving except the harness. I had to start her clean back at the beginning of driving training, like I was just breaking her to drive for the first time. So far so good, she's remembered her basic ground manners but still has little fits every now and then but I work her through them and she's fine afterwards. Still have to get her hitched to the cart yet this summer.
I train/show her in a basic snaffle. She does work and show in a loose sidecheck - only there b/c it has to be for show purposes.
My question is : What does the overcheck bit actually do? Is it something that is just there for looks/show or does it actually serve a purpose?
I see alot of draft horse hitches using the overcheck bit on their show horses and have seen pictures of minis being shown this way. I've never used or driven a horse with one so would like some insight.
I just wondering if its something I may need to add for this horse to get her refocused again or to keep her occupied while driving. My horse loved driving before her issues started, she loved to go fast and took every moving thing on as if it were her competition or challenge!
Thanks for any info!
Becky M.
I train/show her in a basic snaffle. She does work and show in a loose sidecheck - only there b/c it has to be for show purposes.
My question is : What does the overcheck bit actually do? Is it something that is just there for looks/show or does it actually serve a purpose?
I see alot of draft horse hitches using the overcheck bit on their show horses and have seen pictures of minis being shown this way. I've never used or driven a horse with one so would like some insight.
I just wondering if its something I may need to add for this horse to get her refocused again or to keep her occupied while driving. My horse loved driving before her issues started, she loved to go fast and took every moving thing on as if it were her competition or challenge!
Thanks for any info!
Becky M.