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

Prime example...a woman on our yard bought a JC pony and kitted it out with as much show jumping tack as possible even though the pony didn't need it and her reason "Because i think it looks good on her!!"
The pony has more fluffy sheepskin items than a whole flock of sheep, Martingales, breastplates and a mountain of bits, depending on what winning horse had in it's mouth at a horse show she had been to that week.
Boots and even the petal over reach boots because her daughter like the sound of them on another horse. Stencils on the bum and had to have a heart or a star on her bottom when clipping because someone in the PC had a lightning bolt the season before!!!
The final straw was when she put on a stud girth...the pony doesn't have studs in it's shoes!!!!
Some people don't have a clue and follow the crowd. They have no idea what these items are for or what they do and how they affect the going of the horse.
I agree that some "gadgets" help and improve the way the horse (and rider) go but in the wrong hands they can be damaging.
 
I find these holier-than-thou "I hate gadgets" posts very odd. Totally agree with Binky - use what is necessary to get your horse and you work together in a good way. What is "gadgets" anyway? A bit? A running martingale? Oh hang on - is a running martingale actually perhaps stronger than a standing? etc etc

In my experience, a lot of people who preach "no gadgets" religiously have horses who are certainly not working in a correct, balanced and sustainable way. If you can honestly get all horses you come across to work well without "gadgets" - great. If not, use whatever sensible help is available with competent supervision. And above all - don't judge based on principle - but on achievement. There are a lot of people who can use "gadgets" in a way that is beneficial to horse and rider. Equally, there are a lot of people who can cause tremendous harm with lack of knowledge and a snaffle.
 
Sedgemoor Chaos said:
Prime example...a woman on our yard bought a JC pony and kitted it out with as much show jumping tack as possible even though the pony didn't need it and her reason "Because i think it looks good on her!!"
The pony has more fluffy sheepskin items than a whole flock of sheep, Martingales, breastplates and a mountain of bits, depending on what winning horse had in it's mouth at a horse show she had been to that week.
Boots and even the petal over reach boots because her daughter like the sound of them on another horse. Stencils on the bum and had to have a heart or a star on her bottom when clipping because someone in the PC had a lightning bolt the season before!!!
The final straw was when she put on a stud girth...the pony doesn't have studs in it's shoes!!!!
Some people don't have a clue and follow the crowd. They have no idea what these items are for or what they do and how they affect the going of the horse.
I agree that some "gadgets" help and improve the way the horse (and rider) go but in the wrong hands they can be damaging.
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So? Arguably the wrong bit could be unnecessary, but the rest - if someone uses tack and gear they find attractive and it doesn't harm the horse and you are complaining about it, surely that is just you being judgemental? This is just fashion. Just let people do what they enjoy/wear what they like as long as nobody is hurt.
 
Personally, I'm not judging. I just answered the question. I don't use gadgets and am on a quest to have my horse working beautifully and in balance without them, which seems to be going pretty well so far. I'm not preaching or trying to change what anybody else does, because I simply don't care. I do what I want to do and everyone else can do whatever they like (as long as it isn't cruel) as far as I'm concerned.
 
dressedkez said:
Hands and seat......??? The most valuable aids - anything else is a short-cut, perhaps?
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Marvellous. If you are Edward Gal/John Whittaker, riding a horse that has been trained perfectly since broken. (during supervision of... oh hold on, I can't think of any trainer who preaches the "no gadget" approach religiously and is not an idiot)

For the rest of us, we'll do with whatever we can to work with our horses in a way that is as sustainable as possible, taking the horse, our own competence and training and our access to appropriate supervision into account. For some of us, it means a snaffle, for others it means a Harbridge, a schooling whip, a grackle, a Universal - who cares, as long as it is beneficial!

A hell of a lot of **** schooling can be done with bad seat & hands. I'd rather see an appropriate "gadget". We don't all have Kyra-hands...

And for what it's worth - I ride a young horse that I would not get on without a neck strap - but we call it a "pretty necklace" ;-)
 
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little_flea said:
Quite. And if the the horse doesn't immediately work in an accepting contact as soon as you get on (after having have back, teeth, saddle checked) - retire to field. As long as you don't use gadgets...
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Ah ha! No curbs then?
Why are most show/dressage horses ridden in double bits then if snaffles are so good?
Are they all badly trained?

So, if my mares are no good for riding, should I breed from then instead?
 
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I used to ride all the horses in a loose running martingale, they provide the best neckstrap that doesn't slide down the neck! My old boss used to use loads of gadgets. Personally it's just more stuff to clean!
I would use some if necessary, but try to avoid them if possible. Bits are a different story though. You have to find what is right for the horse and you. Better one quick Oi! than a constant yank
 
enfys said:
Ah ha! No curbs then?
Why are most show/dressage horses ridden in double bits then if snaffles are so good?
Are they all badly trained?

So, if my mares are no good for riding, should I breed from then instead?
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They are all in doubles for the benefit of rollkur. Head behind the vertical for any moment of time is a sign of cruelty and deserves reporting to the RSPCA. ;)

(is it time for me to stop ranting now?)
 
little_flea said:
They are all in doubles for the benefit of rollkur. Head behind the vertical for any moment of time is a sign of cruelty and deserves reporting to the RSPCA. ;)

(is it time for me to stop ranting now?)
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Is a flash, or a grackle considered a gadget?
 
Squeak said:
I hate them and never use them, it shocks me how many people use them as quick fixes and I don't think that they achieve the same results as schooling. This year I have seen 4 horses ruint by draw reins and side reins e.g. rearing over backwards and napping etc consistently.

If people want to use a certain tendon boot or saddlecloth etc as long as it fits the horse and doesn't hinder it then I don't see the problem.

On the topic, why do people think that someone is an amazing rider when they put a horse in draw reins, pelham (or other suitable bit), spurs and long whip to get it in an outline?
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If the rider in question can get it to work better in draw reins, pelham etc than without, and it is not harmful to the horse, it's a good thing in my book!

For example, I don't ride in draw reins because I'm not a good enough rider to make them a beneficial gadget - but I think saying that "gadgets are bad" as a blanket statement is ignorant. In an ideal world, all our horses would work beautifully in a snaffle, no noseband at the lightest of rider aids - but it is not an ideal world.

If a better result is achieved with a "gadget" - great! (of course, with a better result, I don't mean a forced or broken outline, a frightened horse, a compensation for bad hands etc - but these are separate issues, and not neccesarily to do with "gadgets" - but with bad training and riding.)
 
little_flea said:
If the rider in question can get it to work better in draw reins, pelham etc than without, and it is not harmful to the horse, it's a good thing in my book!

For example, I don't ride in draw reins because I'm not a good enough rider to make them a beneficial gadget - but I think saying that "gadgets are bad" as a blanket statement is ignorant. In an ideal world, all our horses would work beautifully in a snaffle, no noseband at the lightest of rider aids - but it is not an ideal world.

If a better result is achieved with a "gadget" - great! (of course, with a better result, I don't mean a forced or broken outline, a frightened horse, a compensation for bad hands etc - but these are separate issues, and not neccesarily to do with "gadgets" - but with bad training and riding.)
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I agree that my post came a cross wrong which is why I deleted it. The riders I am talking about were being harmful to the horses and there was damage done and yet inexperienced people were sucked in and after said persons had ridden their horse a couple of times they were left with problems.

I couldn't agree more that if a better result (although I dont actually think that the result is as good as a properly schooled horse) is achieved with a gadget and its not harmful to the horse then great because like you said yup its not a perfect world. But inexperienced people are using them to compensate and because they are inexperienced the gadgets are causing damage, and this is happening all too often. Oh and then there are the people that just cant be bothered to try and school their horses ... But yes gadgets are not always bad!!
 
I've never once used draw reins, side reins, bungee, pessoa or whatever the hell else some people chatter on about! i usually lunge in a headcollar and a simple lungeline, with a lungewhip. i ride the horse i p/l in a regular saddle, bridle, snaffle and martingale and thats it.

i honestly can't say i understand what most of the gadgets used by some people are for, and i don't really want to. i'm quite happy using just the simple things :) i'm only 17 but i honestly have no intention to switching to lunging with a bridle + side reins, bungee or the other random bits and bobs people use to "get more out of their horse".

nothing wrong with being simplistic :)
 
jess_ said:
I've never once used draw reins, side reins, bungee, pessoa or whatever the hell else some people chatter on about! i usually lunge in a headcollar and a simple lungeline, with a lungewhip. i ride the horse i p/l in a regular saddle, bridle, snaffle and martingale and thats it.

i honestly can't say i understand what most of the gadgets used by some people are for, and i don't really want to. i'm quite happy using just the simple things :) i'm only 17 but i honestly have no intention to switching to lunging with a bridle + side reins, bungee or the other random bits and bobs people use to "get more out of their horse".

nothing wrong with being simplistic :)
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No, there is nothing wrong with simplicity, but I really think that lunging in just a headcollar, unless your horse is extremely highly schooled and balanced (and this does not apply to any of the horses I regularly work with, including two AdvM/Adv dressage horses), is a lot more harmful than lunging properly with appropriate "gadgets". A horse running round and round on a 20m (at best) circle for a prolonged period should really do so in a balanced manner, or it will create uneccessary stress on various parts of its anatomy.

No offence to this poster, but this is exactly where the "gadgets are always evil" approach is uneducated and potentially creates more harm than good. I would not lunge a horse without side reins/Pessoa/EquiAmi (or in two reins, where a balanced outline can be achieved) for any other reason than during a lameness work up.

If you can't make your horse work in self carriage without gadgets (which most horses do not on the lunge), then I'd much rather see gadgets being used in an appropriate way to achieve better balance.
 
i admit i use side reins, martingale, different bits and nosebands but mainly because i havent found the right things for my pony, although her martingale is working quite well, but anything else is beyond me.
 
No, you're not the only person who doesn't use gadgets if by 'gadgets' you mean anything that forces a horse to work a certain way, rather than encourages.

I think the biggest problem using any bit of tack is not understanding exactly how it works and exactly what it does. Very few horse owners know very much about horse physiology and really there's no need until they want to use something that they don't have the appropriate understanding of, and until these 'gadgets' require a qualification to use, no one will know for sure that its appropriate for them to use a particular piece of equipment.

And of course the other big problem is the willingness to use gadgets as a shortcut rather than the prolonged effort of schooling and continued learning as a horse owner and rider. As humans it is our nature to look for the quickest solution and we need to stem that urge when there is any suspicion it could prove disastrous in the long run.

Its obvious, but owners can never have too much knowledge about their horses and maybe they need to think about this before investing any piece of equipment.
 
little_flea said:
So? Arguably the wrong bit could be unnecessary, but the rest - if someone uses tack and gear they find attractive and it doesn't harm the horse and you are complaining about it, surely that is just you being judgemental? This is just fashion. Just let people do what they enjoy/wear what they like as long as nobody is hurt.
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I'm not saying people shouldn't use items (gadgets) if they know what they are doing with them, they have a purpose and help with an end result.
Covering your horse with items that don't do anything or even hinder your horse, what's the point.
Fashion or not, if your using something your horse doesn't need then what's the point of having it. The woman i mentioned has injured her horse because she changed the bit to something stronger because the horse in the class before her had one in and it won...her argument was "It helped that person win so we'll try it" therefore if an item is used in the wrong hands regardless of it being a fashion item it will do more harm than good.
I agree that not all horses are the same and what works for one might not work for another. Some horses go well in a snaffle and never need anything else and some people need something stronger, some need a martingale and some don't etc etc
But, when people use something they don't need to or rush out and splash the cash on the latest expensive quick fix (fashion gadget) it can do more harm than good.
 
you know what, I never used gadgets ever, but recently coming back to horses and having a nappy strong WB I thought Id try some. Even though I knew everyone telling me to not do it, were right.

Im now back to a snaffle and the only thing he has is a dutch gag if needed for exciting things and I dont really like using that either anymore! I suppose Ive never ridden with them before and trying to start now just feels wrong
 
As the OP I just wanted to say, that I wasn't being judgemental, it's just having ridden horses all my life I've never had the need for such things so never wasted brainpower learning about what exactly they do... I have always ridden in a snaffle or a double when forced to (due to dressage or showing rules/etiquette) but never found my horses went better in them (usually they sit behind them and I feel vaguely out of control (yes even when riding a grand prix test) Maybe it's just the horses that I have had (and I admit to having a lot of dopes that you had to wake up rather than the contrary)

Half of me thinks that I should know what they do at least, but the other half of me thinks well if I haven't used them in 30 years then why start complicating my life now...

Blitz
 
little_flea said:
No, there is nothing wrong with simplicity, but I really think that lunging in just a headcollar, unless your horse is extremely highly schooled and balanced (and this does not apply to any of the horses I regularly work with, including two AdvM/Adv dressage horses), is a lot more harmful than lunging properly with appropriate "gadgets". A horse running round and round on a 20m (at best) circle for a prolonged period should really do so in a balanced manner, or it will create uneccessary stress on various parts of its anatomy.

No offence to this poster, but this is exactly where the "gadgets are always evil" approach is uneducated and potentially creates more harm than good. I would not lunge a horse without side reins/Pessoa/EquiAmi (or in two reins, where a balanced outline can be achieved) for any other reason than during a lameness work up.

If you can't make your horse work in self carriage without gadgets (which most horses do not on the lunge), then I'd much rather see gadgets being used in an appropriate way to achieve better balance.
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i see where you are coming from, but almost everyone i know who has horses lunges in just a head collar with a lunge line. not saying that makes it right just because 'everyone else does it' just i mean that's what is 'normal' for me and how i've learned to lunge a horse. i know some people prefer to lunge with bridle + saddle, side reins, etc but that's just not how i do it.

the horses i've lunged have never come to any harm/lameness due to lunging without all the 'gadgets' and what not. she might not work in an outline but a lot of horses i know don't go on the bit when ridden so i don't see the harm in trotting/cantering a few circles without her in an outline.

i dont take the 'all gadgets are evil' approach, i don't have a problem with people who like to use those types of bits and bobs on their horses. i'm sure that many of them are very useful/helpful and beneficial for the horse when used correctly. just that i've never had to use them so i don't see the point in me buying stuff i don't need to use?? if you get me ?? :confused::confused:

please don't eat me :(
 
I lunge my mare in a chambon.

If I lunge without gadgets, she will run round in a hollow way with her head in the air. In the chambon, she relaxes, stretches down and works through her back nicely.

If any of the 'anti-gadget' brigade can explain to me why I'd be better of lunging without my 'gadget', I would love to hear it. Incidentally, I don't use gadgets when riding because I think, I can get better results as a rider using my body, than a bit of string and a few buckles. But lunging in nothing but a headcollar is a waste of time IMO.
 
potty_4_piebalds said:
I dont use gadgets, why do you need them a horse can feel a fly! so i dont think you really need 101 gadgets hanging off of it.
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Absolutely - if your horse works well without them, then you don't need them! My point was only that some horses work better using certain gadgets, and I'd rather see an artificial aid helping a horse work better than a horse without that runs around not working properly.
 
I agree with Binky on this as well. You should use what you and your horse are most happy and comfortable in. I've always had my pony in a martingale, although he rarely throws his head high enough for it to come into play, it's fitted correctly and therefore doesn't bother him but it's a reassurance for me, when he does become excited.
I'm fifteen and bit my pony myself, but this is after I spent countless hours at my RS sitting in the tackroom, learning about tack and bits etc with my instructor. If I want to try something, but am unsure I always ask an instructor! My first pony, we had since he was 4 and so had a blank canvas to work with and he has remained in the same simple tack since we got him. My current pony was schooled very badly when we got him, and we've had to use 'gadgets' to encourage him to work correctly, using his hindquarters, rather than dragging himself along on the forehand, and yes I am another person who uses sidereins for lunging as otherwise he becomes unbalanced. As much as I would love to have him in a snaffle for everything, this isn't possible and I would rather have him in a stronger bit than have to haul on his mouth in a snaffle, surely this is kinder?
Regarding the unecessary kit, it's up to them what they want to spent their money on, if it's fitted correctly and hindering the horse, what should it matter?
Just my opinion :)
 
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