Why are ear plugs evil??

[KBC]

LOL, I ride my mare with ear plugs at home, when there is a gale, definitely in the spring when there is snow cascading off the roof, …anytime I think that she will be better able to concentrate, and be less distracted I will pop them in…

I have never understood why we can’t use them, or a ‘Silent ear’ type ear bonnet for competition, and reading this in the rules of an up coming show made me really wonder…

In the designated warm up arena, running martingales are permitted to be used on snaffle reins of the bridle. Single direct side and running/Vienna side reins (when lunging an unmounted horse with one lunge line) are permitted.

Boots and bandages may be worn anywhere except in the competition arena.

Martingales (other than running), bit guards, any kind of gadget such as bearing, running, or balancing reins, ear plugs, under penalty of elimination are

STRICTLY FORBIDDEN ON THE SHOW GROUNDS AT ANY TIME

DURING THE COMPETITION

Are they that evil that they are grounds for elimination, even for warm ups?

[hoopoe]

Because harmony attention and obedience are s reflection of training

[Highflyer]

I don’t love the idea of people using them in a group either. It’s nice if at least the horse is paying attention to its surroundings.

[KBC]

But some horses are just plain reactive to noise, I’ve always thought it unfair that you can’t use them to show, but I must admit to being shocked that you could be disqualified for having them in the warm ups…

[KBC]

@Highflyer

I don’t love the idea of people using them in a group either. It’s nice if at least the horse is paying attention to its surroundings.

Mine is always paying attention! I was worried when it was first suggested to use them, but it is obvious that the furry ball type that I use do not make her ‘deaf’ just quietens the world down a little for her.

[Scribbler]

Jumpers have a more get 'er done pragmatic approach and you can have bonnets, leg protection, standing or running martingales, whatever gets you through the course.

[KBC]

LOL, leg protection is a whole 'nother thing…Fergie has wind puffs, if I boot her they stay hard, if I ride her without, they puff…but I can warm her up with her boots on, just not compete. I can kind of see the arguments there, is this day and age who knows what boots are hiding…

Ear plugs just seems an over kill reaction, especially as this show one ring is very close to the delivery bay of a supermarket, the first test I did in there I don’t think I ever got over the quarter line in that corner because of the air brakes going off, reversing beeper, crates of stuff being pulled off the truck…it was an interesting ride.

[alibi_18]

@KBC

LOL, I ride my mare with ear plugs at home, when there is a gale, definitely in the spring when there is snow cascading off the roof, …anytime I think that she will be better able to concentrate, and be less distracted I will pop them in…

I have never understood why we can’t use them, or a ‘Silent ear’ type ear bonnet for competition, and reading this in the rules of an up coming show made me really wonder…

Are they that evil that they are grounds for elimination, even for warm ups?

Soundproof bonnets are allowed at FEI regulated shows. Not ear plugs.

[mvp]

I was more surprised by the acceptance of running martingales.

For horses on the flat, a running martingale is something I use in order to stay safe on a very green or very rank horse. I would not have expected anyone to allow the use of that on a horse at a show. And that’s especially true for dressage since I think this discipline is so purist about contact.

Hmm.

[Janet]

you can use a running martingale in warmup, not in the arena.

[caper]

When you have a reactive horse we as riders must learn to stay relaxed and calm. Any tensing up and the reaction gets bigger. Once I was on that direction our rides got better.

[mvp]

@Janet

you can use a running martingale in warmup, not in the arena.

Yes, but same difference, at least as I see it and on the flat.

In any case, I think the reason to prohibit noise-dampening is clear-- it’s something that ought to be trained in. But if the FEI allows that, why hasn’t the USDF followed suit?

Such a strange new world to me… and such noises in it! LOL

[Ladylexie]

@KBC

LOL, leg protection is a whole 'nother thing…Fergie has wind puffs, if I boot her they stay hard, if I ride her without, they puff…but I can warm her up with her boots on, just not compete. I can kind of see the arguments there, is this day and age who knows what boots are hiding…

Ear plugs just seems an over kill reaction, especially as this show one ring is very close to the delivery bay of a supermarket, the first test I did in there I don’t think I ever got over the quarter line in that corner because of the air brakes going off, reversing beeper, crates of stuff being pulled off the truck…it was an interesting ride.

I totally agree with you. In open shows or breed shows ear plugs are allowed and I’m just not seeing the evil in having ear plugs, but, then again I’m double bad as I don’t see the bad in using Perfect Prep in shows so don’t listen to me.

[samwoww7]

Dressage was originally a sport for military horses. It stems from our roots. A horse should be completely harmonious with the rider regardless of the situation. I have a highly reactive horse as well, and you shouldn’t have to rely on earplugs to keep his focus. It literally was a matter of life and death for most of the history of dressage.

This is not a problem with your horse. This is a problem with your riding. If you are relying on earplugs, you are not an effective rider.

[MysticOakRanch]

@samwoww7

This is not a problem with your horse. This is a problem with your riding. If you are relying on earplugs, you are not an effective rider.

This really isn’t true. Some horses are just very noise reactive - much more then others. I ride two horses - one is very noise sensitive, and she always will be. In the military days, a horse like mine would just be rejected - she would not become a military horse. But dressage is about training now days, not military. We have hold over rules that are really no longer relevant.

OP, dressage is about training, all you can do is keep working with your horse to make it better. My super sensitive, super reactive mare has gotten much better - but it is something we will always struggle with. The rules were recently changed to allow noise muffling bonnets, so you could try those - I find they are very hot, and I’m in a hot climate, so I don’t use one. If there is shooting going on near the show grounds, or construction, I don’t sign up for those shows, it just isn’t worth the stress to my horse.

[KBC]

@MysticOakRanch

This really isn’t true. Some horses are just very noise reactive - much more then others. I ride two horses - one is very noise sensitive, and she always will be. In the military days, a horse like mine would just be rejected - she would not become a military horse. But dressage is about training now days, not military. We have hold over rules that are really no longer relevant.

OP, dressage is about training, all you can do is keep working with your horse to make it better. My super sensitive, super reactive mare has gotten much better - but it is something we will always struggle with. The rules were recently changed to allow noise muffling bonnets, so you could try those - I find they are very hot, and I’m in a hot climate, so I don’t use one. If there is shooting going on near the show grounds, or construction, I don’t sign up for those shows, it just isn’t worth the stress to my horse.

Lol, mine would be a reject for sure, never had a horse this reactive.

Yup it is getting better, of course it gets better, it is just frustrating, the sound system speaker, next to the ring falling over in the middle of our free walk loop to X, something she saw happening, was worthy of a small gather, and immediate return to free walk. Hearing something she can’t see is worrying to her, and she over reacts…

I did not know that you could use ear muffling bonnets, I will have to look into that.

[Bellathemustang]

@MysticOakRanch

This really isn’t true. Some horses are just very noise reactive - much more then others. I ride two horses - one is very noise sensitive, and she always will be. In the military days, a horse like mine would just be rejected - she would not become a military horse. But dressage is about training now days, not military. We have hold over rules that are really no longer relevant.

THANK YOU! Some people are so eager to bash others and say they cant ride, no wonder we are known for being such a friendly sport…

My mare has almost zero reactivity to noise, she is seriously a saint. Our neighbor was shooting guns the other day and I jumped, but she didnt! I am not for a second going to think that makes me a better rider than someone with a more reactive horse.

Dressage is for EVERYONE, not just for amazing riders with fancy, perfectly trained horses. Bella is 18 and we just started dressage with her last year. She is a little bit of a conformation nightmare and dressage training helps keep her strong and take pressure off of her weak stifles.

I agree with the OP that no earplugs in warm up seems kind of ridiculous.

[JustTheTicket]

I agree that ear plugs shouldn’t go into the competition ring, but why not warm up with them? If you can warm up with side reins, martingales and boots/wraps, why not ear plugs too?

[Silverbridge]

You cannot warm up riding with side reins.

[KBC]

@Silverbridge

You cannot warm up riding with side reins.

Ok, but everything else listed you can…but ear plugs on the competition ground will get you eliminated…