Am I the only person who doesn't use gadgets...

blitznbobs

blitznbobs

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I've been reading this forum for a few months now and am beginning to feel like a numpty in some ways. People keep mentioning things like 'bungee and passoa etc etc' and don't even know what these look like. I don't think I could be classed as a novice as I've been riding for over 30 years now and ridden horses at national level but the only 'gadget' I've ever used is a pair of of old fashioned side reins when lunging and a pair of draw reins which I threw away after 1 try with them...

I genuinely don't know what all these 'things' are for...

Ho hum..

Blitz
 
I think half the people that use all the gadgets don't know what they're for either hun!! Half of them use them because "John Wittikar" or someone else uses them. In ten years time there will be a new gadget, and nobody will use the current ones.

Gadgets have their places, but nothing beats time and good schooling in my opinion.
 
No, you're not the only one! I try to avoid most gadgets too. I think certain groups use certain gadgets because thats what the majority in their group use. All these gadgets used in novice hands can do more harm than good. Rather than going back to basics with a particular schooling problem, people decide to use what they perceive as a quick fix.:)
 
Hey you're not alone. I mean I know what these things are, but I've never owned or used them. I think if you've got a good seat (I'm not saying I have but it sounds as though you do) you shouldn't need to rely on incredibly complicated bits of leather, rope and elastic to get your horse going half decently. But there, I'm a bitless barefoot treeless kind of girl. Less is more I say !
 
Nope! I don't use anything fancy either; we just plod along with an aged leather saddle (regularly checked of course!), no martingale, and a Happy Mouth bit, and we're as happy as larry.

We're seriously allergic to schooling/lunging etc., and the only time Himself goes into anything like a decent outline and a superb elevated trot is when he's at the far end of the field and sees me with a feed bowl - where's the blimmin dressage judges when you need 'em??? ;)
 
nope you aren't. i can't stand draw reins (work of the flipping devil unless in expert hands imho) or pessoas in particular. i will use something to show a horse how to work long-and-low on the lunge though.
really nice to see there are plenty of other gadget-dodgers out there.
my absolute pet hate: people riding with draw reins having removed the normal reins. inescapable leverage against the horse... :( :( :(
 
Snaffle, running martingale, what other gadgets do you need? Gadgets are mostly for people who don't have the experience, or time to school horses properly. Shall we now talk about feed stuffs and supplements (of the whizz up, calm down sort) ......Oh and training methods.........
 
Me too, I have a selection of bits all them snaffles, a double bridle, a running martingale which doubles as a standing when required. For lungeing I have a set of side reins and a Chambon. Saddle is a 12 year old (bought new) Albion Selecta reflocked to fit current horse.
 
dressedkez said:
Snaffle, running martingale, what other gadgets do you need? Gadgets are mostly for people who don't have the experience, or time to school horses properly. Shall we now talk about feed stuffs and supplements (of the whizz up, calm down sort) ......Oh and training methods.........
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Yes please, I am getting fed up of feeling neglectful becausse I do not feed an array of suppliments
 
Nope :( Kelly has the long bits on either side of the bit (have no idea what they're called!) 'cause sometimes she gets a bit carried away and strong with steering but don't use anything else.
We don't even have a cavesson!! (Or anything of the sort!)

ETA she has garlic, mint and seaweed in her feed does that count? ;) have never used a calmer/energy giver etc with her though!
 
dressedkez said:
Snaffle, running martingale, what other gadgets do you need? Gadgets are mostly for people who don't have the experience, or time to school horses properly.
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I don't even possess a martingale.

Actually I think 'gadgets' do have their place at the right time in the right hands. Each to their own.

I have to disagree that snaffles are the only bit and anything that doesn't go in one is badly schooled and the rider is ****, it winds me up every time I read that. Stuff and nonsense. Every horse is an individual.

Some of my horses hate snaffles, they don't like them at all, fuss all the time and one in particular just headshakes until it (any version) is taken out. What does she like? A ported curb with a 5" shank. Happy horse, happy me and I'm not changing it just because 'apparently' my horse is unschooled.
 
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No gadgets for me. I tried side reins for lunging, but as I wasn't really sure what I was trying to achieve except for a false outline, I took them off. I think they probably have their place, but it isn't on my horses...
 
I'll admit to using them. When needed. I just see them as any other part of tack really, you use them for a certain purpose the same way you'd choose a bit/martingale/breastplate/noseband/etc and use them with the experience needed and the certain time when you need them. Can be useful when used correctly, like anything really :)
 
enfys said:
I don't even possess a martingale.

Actually I think 'gadgets' do have their place at the right time in the right hands. Each to their own.

I have to disagree that snaffles are the only bit and anything that doesn't go in one is badly schooled and the rider is ****, it winds me up every time I read that. Stuff and nonsense. Every horse is an individual.

Some of my horses hate snaffles, they don't like them at all, fuss all the time and one in particular just headshakes until it (any version) is taken out. What does she like? A ported curb with a 5" shank. Happy horse, happy me and I'm not changing it just because 'apparently' my horse is unschooled.
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Hands and seat......??? The most valuable aids - anything else is a short-cut, perhaps?
 
Yeah like most things I agree :)
its when the horse doesn't need them and the riders insist on overloading them with unnecessary gadgets, straps, buckles, chains etc and the horse is fine without that I don't understand it.
When I first got Kelly and had no confidence I used a martingale when out hacking as I preferred to hack alongside hedges and she preferred open spaces and didn't really have a use of brakes at that point (!) but that came off once I'd got my confidence :)
 
Thank God for that! I've trained with some of the top trainers in Europe and I've been yelled at for my position, aids etc etc but not one of them has ever said go out and buy X... they've just said 'get your *******ing leg back and LET GO OF HIS HEAD...' (a lot:D - my boy has a habit of leaning and I have a habit of letting him)

Blitz
 
KellysHeroes said:
Yeah like most things I agree :)
its when the horse doesn't need them and the riders insist on overloading them with unnecessary gadgets, straps, buckles, chains etc and the horse is fine without that I don't understand it.
When I first got Kelly and had no confidence I used a martingale when out hacking as I preferred to hack alongside hedges and she preferred open spaces and didn't really have a use of brakes at that point (!) but that came off once I'd got my confidence :)
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A martingale provides a neck strap - which should be an essential bit of tack for everyone...but no one ever thinks of using one, unless they have the said martingale.
When I take a horse hunting - irrespective of what tack it normally wears, I will always pop on a loose running, and wear spurs.....both get one out of a tight corner, when the unexpected happens.
 
enfys said:
Some of my horses hate snaffles, they don't like them at all, fuss all the time and one in particular just headshakes until it (any version) is taken out. What does she like? A ported curb with a 5" shank. Happy horse, happy me and I'm not changing it just because 'apparently' my horse is unschooled.
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.....I wasnt suggesting that a snaffle is the only bit! Nor that any horse being ridden in anything other is 'unschooled'....it was more the fact that I havent a clue what action is caused by all the other bits (poll pressure, curb action etc etc!), so dont use them for fear of any harm I may inflict!!!!

I have taken the step to having 'nuggets' on the bits instead of single jointed snaffles, and I do admit to having cheeks on my youngsters bit (are they called fulmers!!??)

I am extremely ignorant in all things tricky!!!
 
Cheeks or fulmers are OK - they help young horses to steer - especially when breaking these days tends to be based on lunging, rather than long reining - the latter helps to teach a horse to steer - the former gets its blooming fit, might encourage some balance, but does not actually teach it to go in straight lines!
 
I wouldn't say I'm a gadgety person, but I do use a running martingale and occasionally a 3-ring bit on my horse when it's our first xc/showjumping session in a while. I also use a stud girth because he has a tendency to tuck up and has caught himself with his hooves whilst jumping before, and if it keeps him safe&happy then I'm all for it :)
 
dressedkez said:
Cheeks or fulmers are OK - they help young horses to steer - especially when breaking these days tends to be based on lunging, rather than long reining - the latter helps to teach a horse to steer - the former gets its blooming fit, might encourage some balance, but does not actually teach it to go in straight lines!
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.....OOOO.....big tick for me then! My baby doesnt *do* lunging, but I have become pretty adept at long reining....:D.... (is there a halo smilie!?)
 
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