new bit: "no, thanks" Semi says.

I put the new bit in the new bridle I got for Sementa on Monday but she doesn't seem to like it. Its a jointed snaffle with the twirly lozenge (too technical? lol)  in the middle. She spent the whole ride fussing about with her head and even my trainer, Silvia, said that she felt Semi didn't like it. Thinking that perhaps there were just too many changes at once, we tried it again Tuesday, just to be sure. Semi went much quieter in the bit but she was much heavier in the hand. Prior to this, she'd been wearing a borrowed Mexican style (cross-over the nose) bridle with a plain snaffle. I barely used my hands at all and communicated, albeit weakly : ), through my seat and legs. Tuesday, I actually had to pull on the reins several times and she wasn't bending.

This not bending has me a bit worried. I am concerned that my lack of skill is ruining her prior training. She used to bend so prettily into the turns and Tuesday she instead was very slab-like in the turns, like riding a motorcycle. no bend at all.

Silvia hopped on (she rides her also, to keep her tuned and trained) and said the same thing so I don't know...

I will put her back in the mexican bridle and old bit to see if that makes the difference. I have ordered a Dr. Cook's bitless bridle but it hasn't arrived yet; I am really looking forward to trying that out.