another Lifter Bit question????

[olneykat]

Hi Martha! I have a 7 year old mare that I just started on barrels in october. She is making the pattern nicely - works real well off legs has a very soft mouth. The fellow I bought her from roped on her and used a cowhorse bit with no curb.  I couldn't seem to get the left I needed with that bit and once a curb was added "loosely" it was too much bit. I recent went to a short shanked lifter bit, as my horse started dropping her shoulder at the 2nd barrel.  At Stephenville last weekend I remembered to look a little past the barrel and her first and 2nd barrels were awesome.  However, on the way to the 3rd she started leaning in, I tried to move her out with my leg but she did not respond very well.  As we approached the barrel she really dropped her shoulder and when I picked her up, she sat on her butt and came straight up in the air.  I calmed her down and made her walk out - she was very attentive at this point.  I think I either held her too long or picked her up too hard.  Not sure which.

Just wondering if that pretzel bit might work better on her OR is it going to be more bit than I already have on her. The short shank lifter I am using has a 3 piece medium twisted dogbone mouth and I have to run the curb really loose.  She has a good whoa!  Thought you might have some suggestions.  This mare is going to be really good when she is finished as she is running top of the 2d at 3/4 speed.  I just don't want to push her on until we have all the quirks worked out.

Thanks for your time.  Can't wait to attend one of your clinics!!!!!!

[Bob Gould]

The pretzel bit is definitely way more bit than the short shank you are
using.  Where were you looking when you went to the 3rd barrel and did you
maintain your focus (if you were looking at the ground past the barrel) even
when your horse started to drop?????
Martha Wright