Does it annoy you?

Doesn't really bother me what extra tack or training aids people use so long as A the horse/pony needs it and B the rider is competent enough to use the equipment correctly.
My big lad came with a martingale and breastplate. He does have high head carriage when out hacking sometimes and was in a bubble bit too. The bit he was in was too small as it had rubbed the corners of his mouth so I got him a larger bit and it now hangs correctly and no more sore mouth. The breastplate was also a little on the tight side so I got an elasticated one and that is better too. I find the breastplate is very handy as it helps to secure the saddle too. I also now ride with a rydair anti slip pad too as I had huge problems with saddle slips using a conventional numnah. Since using the pad there have been virtually no slips except an occasional sideways shift. He has a barrel belly and his saddle is extra wide but I am thinking of getting a wintec adjustable gullet saddle that I can use as synthetic saddle for both him and the cob.
The cob has no martingales used. He arrived in a happy mouth bit which has progressed to a sweet iron full cheek with keepers and he loves it. He mouths it better than the happy mouth I reckon. I will not use additional training aids on him in the future unless I truly believe he needs them.
I personally think in some cases people can over tack their horses if there is such a word? Martingales and the like could be used to mask more serious problems such as behavioural problems that need addressing by the professionals. Teeth or back troubles or simply that the rider is not a competent enough rider or is over horsed.
I am no expert though and my eyes are not trained enough to detect whether or not a particular training aid is needed or if the horse/rider has a problem ( except for the obvious cases) and so I cannot pass a true judgement on individuals and nor would I like to.
Caroline
 
It does bug me (as Im sure you can tell from my post!) if its not needed. I just wonder why the rider wastes money on bits of tack that aren't needed. Things like martingales on ploddy ponies (who dont raise their heads more that horizontal!) - I mean what IS the point! It just makes me think the riders have no clue what their chosen tack is actually for. I think that if someone buys a horse and cant be bothered to think about the tack it needs then what else are they not bothering with?
 
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is this the thing you mean katy??
http://www.horseit.com/en/riding2001/saddlery/snuggyfitall190707.htm

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Please don't buy or make one of those bridles, it looks like a one sided cheltenham gag, see how the rein is not attached to the bit on the photo side. Can't be nice for the horse at all.

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These so-called bridles are for LEADING ONLY, don't ever try riding with one.

Gorgeous-Geoarge, why not use a simple neckstrap?
 
a girl who (thankfully) has just sold her horse off my yard, thought it was funny when her horse started rearing with her when she pulled its mouth, (her words were 'look, he's a circus horse') until it came over backwards on her and hurt and scared her... the solution?...going to the saddlers to buy a bit 'that he cant mamage to rear in', cue stronger more severe bit...
 
To each their own, although I hate to see horses looking like bondage victims/fashion plates just because. I don't agree though that items of tack don't have any effect so long as the horse is going "correctly". First off, that's not a simple term, secondly it implies that the equipment is completely suitable, well fitted and put on properly, which is often not the case if the ultimate aim is not understood. It also implies that every horse is the same conformationally, attitudinally, and in terms of its needs. I find this is a prevelant - and probably valid - opinion amoungst people who work with horses that are similar but it can't necessarily be extrapolated to other people's situations.

I had a horse that was a wonderful performer, had super care (chiro, good dentist, excellent trainer, half decent rider
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) and went better without ANY noseband. Even a loose cavesson produced a less soft and consistent feel in his mouth and an inclination to fix his jaw. He had to go in one because thems the rules but he would have been happier without.

And that is the thing that really makes me laugh. As I've got older and lazier and slightly better at what I do I've used less and less tack. I'm not against using tools for puroses and I do when I need to, I just find I need to less often. Maybe I just have nicer horses to ride now. But I'm amazed by the number of people who want to share (not just comment behind their hands) because a horse ISN'T wearing something, even if it is going just fine. If I show up to school without a noseband someone invariably points it out to me, as if I somehow might have lost in on my way to the ring. When I ask why the horse needs one the helpful folks are invariably at a loss. Very odd.

Again, to each their own. You aren't ever going to convince anyone differently of these things and trying usually makes them more sure. I'd like to say "so long as the horse isn't compromised" but truthfully that's not my judgement to make either. So long as MY horses are going well, content and comfortable - and their people keep paying
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- and I'm satisfied with my work then that's probably the best I can do.
 
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