Using specific nosebands/martingales/breastplates for the sake of fashion?

[Eclisped]

I sort of thought of this while looking through instagram and reading some Q/A posts. Something I’m sort of foreign to is the idea of using a piece of tack for the look, not the use. I was trained with the mentality “Only use the tack you need” and then I go to events or look at social media and see people using figure-8 bridles or running martingales just for the ‘look’. I don’t have a problem with this, except that it just sort of makes me wonder how it affects your horse’s performance? Take the running martingale for example. It’s meant to serve a purpose. Depending on how long your reins are and how high your horse’s head is, it goes into affect once the horse’s head is too high by using pressure. Or a flash noseband, it’s meant to stop a horse trying to evade the bit or cross their jaw, and yet I’ve seen horses that I know could just be in a regular noseband. Heck, I’ve even seen bits used just for a look. Horses that can go perfectly in a snaffle are put in a baucher or a three-ring because their rider/owner thinks it looks ‘cool’ or ‘trendy’. Thoughts? I’m mainly wondering about tack that has more influence on the horse, not crazy-colored stirrups or bit guards.

(Note: Let me add that I know some things are traditional, but still, why use a standing martingale in the hunter ring if your horse doesn’t need it?)

[hybriseris]

At least as long as I’ve been around horses, there has always been use of specific tack in the name of fashion. More commonly it’s branding I’ve noticed, but I absolutely think there’s trends in what we see people using regardless of need too.

As a specific example, there’s a girl where I ride who is the sweetest thing on planet earth but has her horse completely kitted out. Flash, running martingale to a three point breastplate, the works. And the breastplate is often on for flatwork. It came up in conversation once and she said “it just feels cool.” Think that’s all it really boils down to for some people…

Personally, I think if it’s a piece or two of tack that isn’t necessarily bothering the horse, it’s silly but fine. When it starts getting to the point where you’ve added 15 minutes to your tack-up time strapping your horse in to every conceivable contraption, it’s probably going to hinder more than it helps, OR if its needed there might be a fundamental issue with the riding.

[firefoot]

I ride my horse in a lever noseband and a baucher bit because these are things he legitimately goes better in — the noseband keeps him from crossing his jaw so bad and he loves the stability and poll relief of the baucher cheeks. I tried so many different things! I totally expect people think I am buying into gimmicks with my tack because yeah, people seem to have their standard kit they use regardless. Someone I know rides everything in a figure 8 and running martingale whether they need it or not “because it looks really nice.” And another girl puts everything in a standing martingale because, again, it completes the picture.

I wish people could be genuine in everything they do but that’s just not realistic. Hopefully it doesn’t discourage others from using or not using pieces of tack based on the individual horse they are riding.

[Scribbler]

I found some drawings of horses I did as a teen. There were some intended to be ideal English horses and I’d kitted them out in every piece of gear, very accurately too, just because it was fun to draw the martingales and what not.

As an adult I’m minimalist. I don’t even use a noseband regularly. I don’t use leg protection of any kind. I use the saddle pads I need for function. Etc.

I do see people who think you need a tight crank and flash on every horse because that’s just how it’s done, which is the dressage equivalent of martingales on everything.

[horseshorseshorseshorses]

Almost all of my tack serves a purpose. Even my fly bonnets that I use are only worn when we ride outside. But I don’t have the money to invest in everything that is fashionable or cool. Would I like a 5 point breastplate with elastic and all the fancy stuff? Sure, if My horse needed it. But my three-point breastplate serves the purpose just fine.

As long as fashion doesn’t get in the way of the horse and rider I don’t really care. I love having stylish things to ride in but I’m not willing to spend the same amount of money as others that I know to be fashionable. Pretty much the only thing I have in my horse’s tack that is purely for looks is his black rhinestone browband. And I won’t say no to matching his fly bonnet to his saddle pad. Nessisary? Nope but doing so just looks well turned out.

[c0608524]

A trend I see frequently, but seems to be dying off, are those ogilvy half pads. I bought into it (everyone has them, I need one too!), and immediately hated it. They effect saddle fit terribly, and trapped so much heat. That was a lesson learned in my book! I’m sure some need them but I sure didn’t.

[Russinka]

I’m lazy, I don’t want to deal with more buckles than I need to, I don’t want to clean more tack than I need to and I don’t want to carry more tack than I need to. I’ll play around to find what works for my horse and change it if/when it stops working but like, I ditched the nose band (initially because the roman nosed horse I was riding didn’t fit one that was on his bridle) and am thrilled at having one less thing to do up. I mostly trail ride so leave the head collar on and lead rope round the neck anyway.

Rugs on the other hand… my boy had a crazy collection of rugs. I’d be a crazy rug lady again if I was in the situation to make rug changes multiple times a day as the weather changes. I’m not and while the winter nights are freezing the days get quite warm here, so my boys are naked, have few good shelter options and have access to as much roughage as they can eat. But at one point… I had all the pretty rugs.

[Fellbutbackup]

It was really hard to find a black bridle that did not have a flash or crank. Had to settle on a removable flash and no crank.

Crank nosebands are an extra few seconds of work when tacking up, which added up over the life of the bridle is not worth it.

I do not extra time to put on extra tack, or clean it. Or find space for it. Just cannot be bothered.

[rubygirl1968]

I’m lazy. I don’t even like messing with a breastplate but will for steep trail rides. I usually don’t even use the nose band. He does go in a Myler snaffle because he seems to prefer it.

If he wasn’t a Fjord and be quite happy in the winter I could probably go quite crazy with pretty blankets but I have to restrain myself. Lol

[Angela_Freda]

@Eclisped

I sort of thought of this while looking through instagram and reading some Q/A posts. Something I’m sort of foreign to is the idea of using a piece of tack for the look, not the use. I was trained with the mentality “Only use the tack you need” and then I go to events or look at social media and see people using figure-8 bridles or running martingales just for the ‘look’. I don’t have a problem with this, except that it just sort of makes me wonder how it affects your horse’s performance? Take the running martingale for example. It’s meant to serve a purpose. Depending on how long your reins are and how high your horse’s head is, it goes into affect once the horse’s head is too high by using pressure. Or a flash noseband, it’s meant to stop a horse trying to evade the bit or cross their jaw, and yet I’ve seen horses that I know could just be in a regular noseband. Heck, I’ve even seen bits used just for a look. Horses that can go perfectly in a snaffle are put in a baucher or a three-ring because their rider/owner thinks it looks ‘cool’ or ‘trendy’. Thoughts? I’m mainly wondering about tack that has more influence on the horse, not crazy-colored stirrups or bit guards.

(Note: Let me add that I know some things are traditional, but still, why use a standing martingale in the hunter ring if your horse doesn’t need it?)

If you know for a fact these riders are only using these items for the “look” (and how do you?) Maybe you just need to surround yourself with better people?

[Pennywell_Bay]

@Eclisped

I sort of thought of this while looking through instagram and reading some Q/A posts. Something I’m sort of foreign to is the idea of using a piece of tack for the look, not the use. I was trained with the mentality “Only use the tack you need” and then I go to events or look at social media and see people using figure-8 bridles or running martingales just for the ‘look’. I don’t have a problem with this, except that it just sort of makes me wonder how it affects your horse’s performance? Take the running martingale for example. It’s meant to serve a purpose. Depending on how long your reins are and how high your horse’s head is, it goes into affect once the horse’s head is too high by using pressure. Or a flash noseband, it’s meant to stop a horse trying to evade the bit or cross their jaw, and yet I’ve seen horses that I know could just be in a regular noseband. Heck, I’ve even seen bits used just for a look. Horses that can go perfectly in a snaffle are put in a baucher or a three-ring because their rider/owner thinks it looks ‘cool’ or ‘trendy’. Thoughts? I’m mainly wondering about tack that has more influence on the horse, not crazy-colored stirrups or bit guards.

(Note: Let me add that I know some things are traditional, but still, why use a standing martingale in the hunter ring if your horse doesn’t need it?)

Generally, I do not notice other rider’s equipment if it does not affect me or unless it is glaringly wrong.

I ride my AO horse at home without a martingale. Sometimes I wear one for a lesson, he usually wears a properly fitted on at a show. No- he doesn’t need them, yes it is for aesthetics. I don’t “need” a belt but I wear one, as it helps complete my outfit (at a show). He is also not a “classic” looking hunter (he was bred for a did the jumpers until last year) and it helps his look. Does a judge care? probably not, do I feel more put together - I guess. It doesn’t affect you- why do you care?

I do use a half pad- but not when I show. My saddle was expensive and custom for a horse I bought before this one. It is not a terrible fit. At some point I’ll get it adjusted for him. Again- really? Someone is giving me the side eye because of tack I use?

I also don’t understand how you can “know” someone else doesn’t need a piece of equipment? My guy is the calmest thing around. I ride him in a big old D snaffle at home. He is super chill. He is super chill at shows. Except since he was a jumper with a pro- now he’s a hunter with an ammy- my trainer likes him to go in a tiny pehlam at shows since I had only had him a month before showing him. So I have more brakes if I need them. If you “knew” the horse (but didn’t own or ride him) you’d think - Wow- he is so kind and chill and there is that ammy- bitting up her horse at a show.

My dressage mare- her bridle has a flash and she wears it. She doesn’t need it. It isn’t tight. It is on the bridle I have for her. Why does anyone care?

Why are we so judgmental?

[mmeqcenter]

@Pennywell Bay

Generally, I do not notice other rider’s equipment if it does not affect me or unless it is glaringly wrong.

It doesn’t affect you- why do you care?

I do use a half pad- but not when I show. My saddle was expensive and custom for a horse I bought before this one. It is not a terrible fit. At some point I’ll get it adjusted for him. Again- really? Someone is giving me the side eye because of tack I use?

I also don’t understand how you can “know” someone else doesn’t need a piece of equipment?

My dressage mare- her bridle has a flash and she wears it. She doesn’t need it. It isn’t tight. It is on the bridle I have for her. Why does anyone care?

Why are we so judgmental?

Alllllllllll of this.

[BayBondGirl]

I recall distinctly when my hunter coach asked when I would be buying my gelding a standing martingale for the show ring (and this was itty bitty local schooling shows!), and I was so confused as to why on earth I would bother, he doesn’t need one? And she explained it’s a fashion element of that discipline. Erm… 'kay. I see lots of “fashion over function” choices in my local area in the H/J scene.

I now event and all tack has a safety purpose or it doesn’t get used With the exception of my custom blingy browband, but I could argue that temporarily blinding the dressage judge might actually have a function in improving my scores?

I fully admit to absolutely drooling over the matchy-matchy saddle pad and polo trend in dressage, not to mention the white pads and white leg wraps with how classy and clean it all looks. But stuff me if I’m going to spend 20 minutes of my precious barn time wrapping polos just so we can look cute for exactly nobody! Not to mention trying to clean them all…

To each their own. As long as it doesn’t hinder or harm the horse or your bank account, I totally support indulging in fancy things.

[Willesdon]

Why so judgemental? Because every bridle, saddle, pad, rug, boots etc put on a horse affects its comfort and/or way of going. Far too many people use tack because it looks nice or their barn friends use it. Too few people seem to understand what the equipment is designed to do, how it solves a problem or even how to fit it. Just check the bridle in almost any picture of a horse then find an image of the position of nerves in a horses head and consider the comfort of the horse. People spend a fortune fitting a saddle then stuff pads under it so it looks ‘right’ but no longer fits correctly. People put on matchy-matchy boots to look ‘pretty’ and overheat the tendons in the legs. Any issues, people always try more rather than less tack.

OK, dismounting from my hobby horse: carry on, everyone

[Fellbutbackup]

@Pennywell Bay

Generally, I do not notice other rider’s equipment if it does not affect me or unless it is glaringly wrong.

I ride my AO horse at home without a martingale. Sometimes I wear one for a lesson, he usually wears a properly fitted on at a show. No- he doesn’t need them, yes it is for aesthetics. I don’t “need” a belt but I wear one, as it helps complete my outfit (at a show). He is also not a “classic” looking hunter (he was bred for a did the jumpers until last year) and it helps his look. Does a judge care? probably not, do I feel more put together - I guess. It doesn’t affect you- why do you care?

I do use a half pad- but not when I show. My saddle was expensive and custom for a horse I bought before this one. It is not a terrible fit. At some point I’ll get it adjusted for him. Again- really? Someone is giving me the side eye because of tack I use?

I also don’t understand how you can “know” someone else doesn’t need a piece of equipment? My guy is the calmest thing around. I ride him in a big old D snaffle at home. He is super chill. He is super chill at shows. Except since he was a jumper with a pro- now he’s a hunter with an ammy- my trainer likes him to go in a tiny pehlam at shows since I had only had him a month before showing him. So I have more brakes if I need them. If you “knew” the horse (but didn’t own or ride him) you’d think - Wow- he is so kind and chill and there is that ammy- bitting up her horse at a show.

My dressage mare- her bridle has a flash and she wears it. She doesn’t need it. It isn’t tight. It is on the bridle I have for her. Why does anyone care?

Why are we so judgmental?

This

[Eclisped]

@Angela Freda

If you know for a fact these riders are only using these items for the “look” (and how do you?) Maybe you just need to surround yourself with better people?

In hindsight that does sound strange. I meant that as in, for example, there’s a couple horses at the barn where I ride that have come into new ownership or been leased to new people recently (past year or so) and I knew their past owners or have ridden them in lessons sometimes, and I can remember them being ridden/riding them in just a regular noseband, or without a breastplate/martingale. I meant in no way to sound ‘above’ everyone or like a know-it-all (it did sort of come off that way though. Yikes!) I just know some horses at the barn and do know enough about them from past owners or riding them that they don’t require lots of bells and whistles.

[chestnutmarebeware]

I’m wondering how you know that all these horses don’t need this tack. Have you ridden them with just a snaffle and regular noseband?

[OnDeck]

Most of these things don’t do anything negative to the horse, so why does it matter?

A martingale isn’t going to come into play unless your horse needs it. He’s not going to notice it’s even on. You’ll be happy you have it when your horse uncharacteristically spooks and gets hollow four strides away from a big jump. It might even save the class for you in the jumpers.

With breastplates - just because your saddle doesn’t routinely slip at home doesn’t mean it’s not going to slide when you’re jumping big, new fences at jump off speeds.

Nosebands - a flash or figure 8 set pretty loose isn’t going to hurt anything. And again, it’s there if something goes wrong and you need it. It is a competition, after all. If your horse MIGHT open his mouth, evade the bit, and have a rail… why not use the equipment that would fix the problem, at least for the two seconds that it matters for the sake of the class?

I’m minimalist at home but at horse shows I pull out all the stops. Because it might save me a rail in the jumpers, might help me with an extremely picky judge in the hunters, and a little bit because I like buying stuff and I think it looks good.

[Angela_Freda]

@Eclisped

In hindsight that does sound strange. I meant that as in, for example, there’s a couple horses at the barn where I ride that have come into new ownership or been leased to new people recently (past year or so) and I knew their past owners or have ridden them in lessons sometimes, and I can remember them being ridden/riding them in just a regular noseband, or without a breastplate/martingale. I meant in no way to sound ‘above’ everyone or like a know-it-all (it did sort of come off that way though. Yikes!) I just know some horses at the barn and do know enough about them from past owners or riding them that they don’t require lots of bells and whistles.

That they didn’t when you rode them, or ridden by you… Doesn’t mean they don’t now or with a new rider.

As someone noted, most of them do no harm and this isn’t your horse, so why worry about it?

[nu5ha]

I have known people who did use things on their horse because it looks nice and I had a lot of people tell me its there for aesthetic purposes . I remember at my old barn there was a super nice young girl must have been around 18 and she took lessons with my trainer once a week and I remember seeing her horses in a figure 8 noseband and a Pelham breastplate and running martingale, and I was like wow what’s going on because I remember her always riding with a snaffle and a plain cavesson so being me I asked her why the new get up and she was like oh I see all the jumpers here wearing something like this it looks much more professional she was super honest about it and I was a little shocked as I was working my way to getting pony off the Pelham not step up his bits. Also I’ve seen a lot of people lunging in all sorts of systems that are ‘in’ then change a month later because something else was in and everyone had that.
I also notice that if you at a fancy, competition barn people tend to dress their horses up more and more, everyone with those half pads that a lot of saddles no longer fit because of them, pretty much everyone with breastplates and martingales, people training notice ( think thats 1st level) with 4 bell boots on their horses because they saw their trainers PSG horse wear them and so on.
I try to go with as little as possible, maybe thats because im also very lazy when it comes to cleaning, so I think the less I have on the horse, less I need to grab from tack room to horse, less take back to tack room and less to clean. So if I can get away with riding mine in a rope halter guess what I will be doing…
I mean I also like my horses looking nicely turned out, and I do wear boots, bandages and so on when needed, but I also prefer the less is more look.