Equiami riding aid - experiences?

Bernster

Bernster

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Equiami do a 'riding aid'. Anyone used it or have any experience/views on it?

I'm not a fan of ridden gadgets generally but feel like I need some extra help, at least in the short term as part of a programme to build up topline/strengthen hind.

Only thing is, like bungee or draw reins, it works on the front end. Doesn't that mean the horse can still be ploughing along on the forehand, not engaging back or hind, even though it's head/neck might look less giraffe like?

http://www.equiami.com/index.php/riding-aid

PS I did a search on here but not much came up about the riding aid as opposed to the lunging kit.

Thanks !
 
I tried once to put the riding aid on to see what it looked like before deciding on whether to use it or not. I wouldn't generally use a gadget for riding but had a bit of a moment where I wondered if it would help with a horrible unbalanced canter transition. The problem was not the canter, but psychologically the horse had got tense about it (and so had I), so I felt that encouraging him to lower his head rather than raise or rush might just help him to calm and balance.

I didn't like it, as the brass clips clattered against each other and his neck as they hung down from the bit and went between his front legs. I led him a few paces and it bothered him (didn't help that it was a silly windy day and lots going on at the yard, hence lots of spooking). With time he'd probably get used to it but I decided against it. Might work if you could stop them clattering about (cover them with tape or something).
 
Hmm, not getting a ringing endorsement here, but maybe it's not that well known as a piece of kit.

Clattering together could be distracting, although if it makes horsey pay attention to that rather than having a look at the scenery, that might actually be a good thing!

OPony, will PM you, thanks.
 
Hi bernster,

I have both the lunge and riding versions of the equi ami and at the moment the lunge version is proving invaluable at helping with the rehab I need to do on my newly diagnosed KS boy.

Before the diagnosis, I used the riding version a few times on him and I found it quite a gentle and useful tool to use on him. Because it isn't fixed anywhere and is on a continual loop the horse cannot lean against it therefore encourages them to carry and balance themselves so should take away any tendencies they may have to lean on the forehand or just drag their behinds along which for example draw reins may do.

Obviously effective riding from you to encourage them to use the whole body plays a huge part too but I found this tool much less invasive than draw reins and my boy didnt plough along heavy on the forehand.

I don't believe any gadget simply takes over the job of a rider and firmly believe they should merely be there as a slight tool to aid the rider and horse. But used correctly I felt this plays a useful tool to my tackroom and encouraging an engagment of the body without forcing it into a heavy contact. Maybe visit the website and have a look on there as I think they have a page on riding aid or failing that give them a call as they were very helpful to me when I sought advice!
 
I have been using both the riding and lunging aid on my team of ExRacehorse turned Eventers and both have been invaluable.
I am not one for gadgets but both aids work gently with the horse to educate them into working out the correct way of gang for themselves rather than forcing them into an uncomfortable way of going.
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I haven't had any experience of the Equiami riding aid, but do have the lunge aid & I am very impressed with it. I had to have the physio to my 6yr old who has a week back end so she recommended I bought a Equiami lunge aid & it's money well spent so highly recommend I have really seen a difference in my lad since using it :)
 
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