Neck Stretchys, Chambons, Draw Reins, German Martingales etc.

[creseida]

Unfortunately, well over 90% of the time, what I have witnessed is a gadget replacing proper training. Yeah, sure you can crank your horse’s head down, but what are you “teaching” him? That when he works hard he cannot stretch his topline or breathe easily. He’s not using himself any better.

More often than not, if a horse exhibits an undesireable behaviour, the response is, put him in [insert your favourite gadget here] and throw him on the lunge for an hour/ ride him in the ring for 2 hours. Do we bother to find out why horse is behaving like this? No, we simply aim to stop it now by employing a gadget that punishes the horse for saying, “I’m uncomfortable/scared/overfaced/sour/sore/confused/HATINGMYJOB”. Try listening to what your horses is saying and ask yourself why he is doing what he is doing. Sometimes the solution is a lot simpler than you might think.

But guess what; More often than not it is the RIDER who is creating these issues. Something to think about…

High-powered fire extinguisher at the ready…

[Gnarly]

“…probably the reason that horse you rode “had” to go like that was because someone didn’t train him properly…”

The horse went to the 1984 Olympic games in LA.
The two riders with whom he had the most success are both medalists.
If I couldn’t trust their abilities and knowledge, then who could I trust?
THEY rode him in extensive hardware (i.e. gadgets) - I trust their judgement!

[Timex6979]

when used correctly, some gadgets can be very useful. i like longing with a chambon, it really has helped both of my mares. i occassionally use a running martingale with my older mare, it’s done the job. however, to always ride with some sort of gadget, like some riders i’ve seen (incapable of riding without at least a martingale) who never seem to know how to use thier gadgets correctly, that i have a huge problem with

[AMom]

"A neck stretchy is a bungie-type cord that runs from girth through bit over head through bit on otherside back to girth. It is elastic and therfor encourages a long neck and head down with out forcing it. "

Wait, is this the same thing that people were calling a “head cruncher” or something like that months ago? I have seen one of these that Langshaw describes, but I never saw a “head cruncher” that I know of…

[Black_Market_Radio]

My new trainer has me using a VERY loose Chambon on the lunge ONLY. I know I was pretty much a no gadgets person before, but I am learning that some things do have a place. And actually, I used to use side-reins, and have stated so in the past, but my new trainer explained things really well. Of course, there will never be any riding in anything harsher than a running martengale (which I have also said I have used before). I still do not think they should be ridden in, and I will never agree with draw reins.
Flame away!!!

[Cactuskate]

DMK, can I quote you?

“My only real pet peeves? Too tight anything! Any artificial aid should be used to reinforce the “asking” not to do the “telling”!!”

I like this!! My little dressage roots are cringing when I hear the word “headset”. If that is all you are after, crutch away. But if you want an engaged, through the back frame, then you have to use your legs and drive the horse forward to the frame.

But I do believe in draw reins and artificial aids. But some what like DMK, I think of them as “training wheels”. When the horse is balanced enough the “training wheels” come off.

See unashamed post of picture attached. This was a year ago. we are out of the “training wheels” now.

[DMK]

Gosh, Cindy, Mad Mission & Merry - do you mean to say there is no set, iron clad way to train a horse that works on all horses?

That horses are individuals and gadgets are only as good or bad as the hands behind them?

That what worked on 99 horses might not work on the 100th and vice versa?

That the best horseman rarely judge what is succesful for another horseman, even if it isn’t their cup of tea?

WHO KNEW?!?!?!?

[pt2]

DMK, I said “But it is certainly faster to reach for those artificial “aids,” and many trainers who could train the horse without them, given time, are forced to use them by time constraints set by owners.”

So, yes, I do think many trainers could train without the gimmicks. I DO think they are always shortcuts, however. Most of the problems the gimmicks address could be resolved by going back to proper groundwork and filling in the gaps in training. And my horses have gaps, too = sometimes I think I live with a “patch kit” in the barn. BUT, most people (see Cougar2’s post) are not willing to take the time it takes to go back - it’s “easier” to continue to ride with the weaponry. Not a slam on Cougar2; just in agreement that the POV expressed is what is behind a lot of this stuff.

As for retraining OTTB’s, etc., I forget who commented about them, but again, going back to basics is what is called for, but wanting the job done quickly is what “justifies” the use of gimmicks. I, too, have retrained OTTB’s - it was a slow process.

No, I don’t think that a horse who had a gimmick used briefly is necessarily miserable - I was thinking more of the ones like that Olympic jumper who live in the things. Afraid I agree with whoever said that regardless of that horse’s showring successes, it was never correctly trained.

Believe me, I understand both the frustration and temptation to go to devices, esp. when a young horse hasn’t figured out how to use its body. But is it in the long-range interest of the horse? And if my decisions are made against the horse’s best interest, what sort of horseperson am I?

[pt2]

I do not advocate the use of any gimmicks such as draw reins, chambons, stretchies, german martingales - even side reins. Two reasons: most people who use them do not know how. Why can I say that? Because of reason 2: Most people who know how to use such devices properly also know how to train well enough not to need them. Which adds reason 3: Such gimmickry replaces correct, SLOW training - usually in an attempt to move the horse along faster than it is assimilating the training, and the result tends to be a horse which has the training imposed upon it, not a horse which is a willing partner in its own training.

Donning flame-retardant suit, now.