Training aids/equipment for horses

@SuzieQNutter Multiple editions

Thank you. I ordered one on Ebay in the end. Googling it was no good, each time I said I wanted one it said it would not send to Australia.

I also read a bit of long reining from beginning to levade. He said a lot about what you see in the saddle is what you see in long reining. He also said you can not use it on a horse that sucks back.

I guess you could say Stars sucks back under saddle. He doesn’t if his back is in and he hasn’t pulled any muscles, but really he won’t go forward if the stars are not aligned. Sigh.

On the lunge he is always perfect. I am not sure if that means he will be good for long reining.

My answer was sharp. Yes!

But, how many horses have you seen go up and over as a result of improperly used equipment.

A prominent trainer not too long ago got a lot of negative publicity plus a lawsuit as a result of a longeing accident.

I have watched a horse in full longeing rig,dragging a longe line, race through a dressage arena where a fortunately cool, confident rider was performing a fourth level test. IIRC, said rider is now a very prominent figure on the West Coast.

Longeing properly as in so many things involving horses takes a lot more education than reading a sales ad or quick trip to the COTH.

Since you asked, if someone cannot train a horse without gadgets, that person is incompetent to train a horse.

I agree wholeheartedly.

You will also find that if someone uses a gadget they believe in, they will use it on every horse.

Those that do not use gadgets do not use it on any horse.

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Starting a young horse on a longe line for a few minutes at a time, makes his future under saddle education a lot easier. The SRS and most of Europe can’t all be wrong.

Education is the key! Knowing when and how to use equipment ( not necessarily gadgets) is the mainstay of all training.

Ingrid Klimke writes a lot about lunging. In one book she describes the weekly training of each horse - whether it is a dressage horse or eventer. Lunge once a week with ground poles.
Which tools I use depends on the shape of the horse and the goal I have.

Merrygoround, I completely agree with your statement that knowing how, when and I would add why to use particular equipment is the mainstay of all training.

GETTING that education is challenging for many of us and accessing a forum such as this is actually one of the best training tools I have access to.

I cannot express how much I have been helped by thoughtful responses, patiently trying to put into words and answer to a question that would best be shown in person.
The poster has no idea if her words will be heeded, misunderstood or discarded but I for one, and I believe there are many, read each response, consider and then try to apply to the best of our ability and the horse receives the benefit!

My dream would be to learn in person from a master, but alas, that is not my lot in life so I I search out threads like this to learn more. :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

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@ colorfan, A search will reveal many threads on side reins and longeing, and the benefits thereof.

You don’t particularly need a master. You need to find one of the many well educated instructors that are around. I will grant you that can be a challenge because they frequently are not out there bragging, advertising or showing.

Attending a USDF workshop as an auditor can be educational. You may have to give up a day or night to do so.