Attaching side check question

[Marsha Cassada]

I put Dusty back in blinders today, as I want to start getting him ready for a show. I've never had the side check on him, so I worked on attaching that to the bridle. I use a myler bit on him and I either don't know where to put the check rein, or it won't fit on this bit. The headstall and check won't both fit in the top loop. I had to use his french link to today instead.

Here is his bit. Where does the side check attach?

He did very well with the check. I had it very loose. I will take it up a hole next time. I think the check ought to be optional. What a pain.

 

[RhineStone]

I think the check ought to be optional. What a pain.

I don't know what to tell you, as I don't use a check anymore either, but I totally agree with you on the above statement.

Who do you contact to get your opinion heard and your voice to matter?

I know how to get a rule changed in ADS and really it isn't that hard if the Rule Change Proposal is logical, but if you all want it to change in the breed organizations, you need to start somewhere.

Myrna

 

[~Lisa~]

A rule change is not difficult at all. You simply write your proposal- submit it- it will be presented at Convention if you are not there to amend any bit of the wording and there is a question or clarification needed it will be voted down however if you are there and the majority votes for it- it will be passed pretty simple

 

[disneyhorse]

Both the headstall/bridle cheek pieces AND the check rein are to attach to the bit perch, which is that loop on the top. What brand of harness do you have? A lot of harnesses and bits aren't great about "scale"... it's too thick to fit places sometimes, I've had that problem. If you attach the check rein elsewhere, it will interfere with bit action if it's tight.

Andrea

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Both the headstall/bridle cheek pieces AND the check rein are to attach to the bit perch, which is that loop on the top. What brand of harness do you have? A lot of harnesses and bits aren't great about "scale"... it's too thick to fit places sometimes, I've had that problem. If you attach the check rein elsewhere, it will interfere with bit action if it's tight.

Andrea

If I attach it somewhere else on the bit, where would you suggest? I don't plan to have it tight. I'm using the Ozark carriage harness on him. I can't use the bridle on my other harness as it is too small for him. But I don't want to cause a potential problem either. I may just have to use the french link when I have the check on.

 

[targetsmom]

The way I do it (must have seen it somewhere) is to attach the headstall to the loop at the top (never knew it was the bit perch) and the side check just below that. If you think of the lower part as a "D" ring, it is the top front part of the "D". It actually fits a lot better than it sounds like it will!!! Then the rein attaches in the curved part of the "D" of course, so the straps go from cheek piece to side-check to rein, sort of top to bottom. I hope this makes some degree of sense. It may not be right, but it was the only way I could get all the parts to fit.

ETA: I don't use a tight check and this works just fine; might be a problem with a tight check though.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

The way I do it (must have seen it somewhere) is to attach the headstall to the loop at the top (never knew it was the bit perch) and the side check just below that. If you think of the lower part as a "D" ring, it is the top front part of the "D". It actually fits a lot better than it sounds like it will!!! Then the rein attaches in the curved part of the "D" of course, so the straps go from cheek piece to side-check to rein, sort of top to bottom. I hope this makes some degree of sense. It may not be right, but it was the only way I could get all the parts to fit.

ETA: I don't use a tight check and this works just fine; might be a problem with a tight check though.

Is this what you mean?

 

[targetsmom]

Not quite--- your diagram actually has the check and the rein in the same "slot" . I put my check in the slot directly UNDER the headstall slot.I know it seems odd, but it should work, as mine does. Sorry I can't do a diagram for you.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Not quite--- your diagram actually has the check and the rein in the same "slot" . I put my check in the slot directly UNDER the headstall slot.I know it seems odd, but it should work, as mine does. Sorry I can't do a diagram for you.

Okay! I'll try it.

 

[Sandee]

Is this what you mean?

I have to use it this way also. However, IF I could get the check (clip) to fit either with the headstall or in that space just to the left and beneath it (in the picture), that's where I would prefer it to be.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I liked the idea of attaching the side check to the caveson. I can't remember who suggested it. I tried it today and it worked fine. Now I can use the bit he likes. Have I attached it in the correct spot?

 

[RhineStone]

That looks like a good inconspicuous location to me.

Myrna

 

[hobbyhorse23]

Can it really be that easy? I know people were talking about rewording the rules to eliminate that work-around

and I thought they'd done it, but apparently not according to the rule book. It says "Side or over-checks are required. When

shown, the horse must have blinders (round or square) and the check must be hooked." But it doesn't say hooked to the bit.

It also may allow a butterfly bit depending on the interpretation of the rule. It says "Bits in the pleasure driving division shall be of the snaffle type. No liverpool bits, curb chains or curb straps are allowed." So by the second sentence it would be allowed on the snaffle setting as long as there was no curb chain or strap, but by the first sentence it isn't a snaffle type and therefore wouldn't be allowed. Hmm.

Leia

 

[Marsha Cassada]

An interesting thing I noticed while driving was even though it isn't hooked to the bit, since the caveson goes through the headstall that makes enough pressure on the side check when Dusty tries to put his head down. I might try tightening the check a little now so it looks tidier on his mane.

As an aside, I finally got to drive Dapper Dan today--first time since October. I used the merino nose pad on the girth next to the surgery site. I didn't notice it's thickness making much difference to cinching; it is the softest stuff! Of course, as Leia pointed out, he is shaved there! It was so much fun to drive my mature, steady boy and not have to bother with the juvenile mentality for a change! THAT'S my idea of Country Pleasure driving.

 

[Shari]

I use that bit with Maggie and I have her side check attached to the bit, not sure I have a photo of it though. Have to use a side check on her so she won't get her head down and eat grass.

 

[hobbyhorse23]

As an aside, I finally got to drive Dapper Dan today--first time since October. I used the merino nose pad on the girth next to the surgery site. ... It was so much fun to drive my mature, steady boy and not have to bother with the juvenile mentality for a change! THAT'S my idea of Country Pleasure driving.

Nice!

How'd he go? Was he happy to be back in harness? That juvenile mentality is one major reason I'm waiting until Turbo is three to even start him. I don't want to deal with all the silliness when I can start six months or a year later and be in the same place without all the battles.

Leia

 

[rabbitsfizz]

You all know this is a pet peeve of mine, so I shall try to be gentle.

The check on the cavesson is OK by the rules- they have not closed the loophole and were actually looking into making it optional, the last I heard. We do not use them in our shows here unless the show is run under AMHA rules then the same horses that have been proven not only to be safe but much happier, all the rest of the year, have to have the flipping thing.

Marsha, if the check is there for safety purposes, why would you wish to tighten it?

The check rein is not and has never been supposed to alter the horses head carriage. If you tighten it whilst it is on the cavesson, not only will you cause rubbing as the cavesson is not intended for this purpose, but you will get a horse that "balances" on the check, as I have seen often happen with imported horses. If you leave it loose neither of these things will happen.

If you use a nice length of cord it looks a lot more delicate than the heavy rolled leather, too.

Since none of my AMHA horses are harness trained this rule will, happily, never affect me.

And, once again, I have to point out that we do actually have grass, loads of it, but we do not have horses that need checks to prevent them eating. That is not what it is for, either.

In fact I am not sure anyone remembers what it was for, originally.

Just as blinders had nothing to do with safety or concentration, the check rein was to stop a horse putting it's head down and getting the rein over the shaft.

Then the abusers found it.

Then, basically, in Europe at least, Anna Sewell happened!

OK, rant over

 

[Marsha Cassada]

You all know this is a pet peeve of mine, so I shall try to be gentle.

The check on the cavesson is OK by the rules- they have not closed the loophole and were actually looking into making it optional, the last I heard. We do not use them in our shows here unless the show is run under AMHA rules then the same horses that have been proven not only to be safe but much happier, all the rest of the year, have to have the flipping thing.

Marsha, if the check is there for safety purposes, why would you wish to tighten it?

The check rein is not and has never been supposed to alter the horses head carriage. If you tighten it whilst it is on the cavesson, not only will you cause rubbing as the cavesson is not intended for this purpose, but you will get a horse that "balances" on the check, as I have seen often happen with imported horses. If you leave it loose neither of these things will happen.

If you use a nice length of cord it looks a lot more delicate than the heavy rolled leather, too.

Since none of my AMHA horses are harness trained this rule will, happily, never affect me.

And, once again, I have to point out that we do actually have grass, loads of it, but we do not have horses that need checks to prevent them eating. That is not what it is for, either.

In fact I am not sure anyone remembers what it was for, originally.

Just as blinders had nothing to do with safety or concentration, the check rein was to stop a horse putting it's head down and getting the rein over the shaft.

Then the abusers found it.

Then, basically, in Europe at least, Anna Sewell happened!

OK, rant over

Always interesting to learn of the origins of equipment! Having had a rein over a shaft before, I can certainly see how dangerous that would be in a commercial situation, such as a public conveyance.

I was going to tighten it because it is loose and flapping and detracting. Just enough to make it look more tidy. I'm just introducing it to him now so that he will get used to the concept. The way I have it now he can put his nose on the ground. He does that sometimes when we're working on the road--I suppose he smells something interesting there. So, when I say I am going to tighten the check, it is just enough to lay better on his neck, and not flop around. He must get used to it if I plan to show him. I have no intention of using it to alter his headset.

So, what's the history of the caveson? I don't use it, either, but it is also part of the "show picture". Dusty and I are both trying to follow the rules. There is so much leather on his head right now!

 

[Shari]

I also don't use the side check to alter Maggie's headset, that is easy to see in the photos I post.

I do use it to keep her from getting her head down to graze, lets see you break your back and lots of issues from that and be able to keep a horse's head up when they want it down.

Bad training, no, she does know better but she also will take advantage if something looks really good to her. I don't have the hand strength to get her head back up and I am not going to beat on her to get her moving. Nor am I going to stop driving just because I have physical problems.

I know you have your pet peeves but not everything is cut and dry.

Caveson, it is used to keep a horse's mouth shut so they can't evade the bit.

I use one but you can put two fingers end on end, so it is not tight.

 

[RhineStone]

So, what's the history of the caveson? I don't use it, either, but it is also part of the "show picture".

The caveson, properly made and attached to the cheek pieces, is to keep the blinders/blinkers from gaping and allowing the horse to see behind them. See those loops that are on the inside in between the two outside keepers right under the blinkers? The caveson hanger strap goes through those loops to keep the blinkers close to the horse's face.

A horse without blinkers will anticipate the whip because they can see it coming, therefore not allowing the driver to be able to use the whip as they intended. Say you wanted to use it on the horse's belly to get them to move their belly over and bend, but if they see it coming they may scoot forward instead. Bad score in a Dressage test!

A riding horse isn't able to see the rider's legs as easily and the cues are more subtle than a whip being furrelled and unfurrelled.

The check is not used in carriage driving except in certain historic turnouts. I have actually had the CHECK get hooked under the horse's shaft and cause the horse to rear. The BEST thing to keep your horse's head off the ground is training.

There are very few parts of a carriage harness that don't have a logical reason to be there.

Myrna