gadget usage - what would you use?

[alsxx]

Right... I normally lunge me ex racer with a pair of draw reins that clip to the bit, run down between front legs then up round belly and tied at the top over back. He lunges very well with this and its really encouraging him to stretch down.

My instructor and I have been concentrating on getting him to soften to the contact, he is getting better but this will obviously not be an overnight miracle. She reckons to lunge him in side reins... I tried him in side reins (fairly loose but so there was a light contact) and he basically went along with his neck practically inverted upwards (if that makes sense). I don't want to make them tight so he is forced down, however don't really see the point in using them if they are effectively making him worse. What would you use, carry on with the draw rein style or persevere with side reins, or try something else....? I like what I was using before as when he stretches down to seek the contact of the rein they loosen and this is the type of 'reward' system I like, however instructor is quite against as not something she has used before.

Not wanting to use a pessoa as don't like them...

 

[251libby]

I would carry on with what he likes which apears to be the draw reins

 

[alsxx]

I guess I am wondering whether by using them this will be detrimental to what we are trying to achieve with him under saddle....not sure why I think that but just stems from instructors insistance to use side reins on him

 

[CrazyMare]

I'd be questioning why your instructor wants you to use side reins when your system is working and sucessfully getting him to soften and stretch down.

 

[tangotime]

If you want to encourage your ex-racer to work forward and downwards on the lunge, several other gadgets might be worth a try: Bungee attached to the headpiece of the bridle, going through the bit rings and then attach to the girth. The bungees are usually elasticated so the contact isnt static. However, one needs to make the horse work forward and through the back for them to be affective. Additional benefit, they can also be used for ridden work.

A chambon or degogue might also be useful.

 

[vicky_sut]

You could try him in a elastic bungee or chambon to get him to streach down. My ex racer goes too low sometimes in the bungee so also add some fairly long side reins with it and that really helped her.
Lunging over poles in side reins also helped her work round and down as she had to look where she was putting her feet.

 

[alsxx]

Crazymare - She had never heard of using them before and so couldn't really understand whether they were a benefit or not - she did also suggest a chambon but i dont have one of those so she suggested side reins to get him to accept and give to the contact - but unless i force his head in i cant really see how they are going to help.

I think I will carry on as before, he seems happy that way

 

[Lippyx]

Have yopu tried a bungee?
I had an ex racer who done the same in sode reins, so after a little look on internet, found a company on Ebat that do a Bangee rein. It runs from the poll, down through the bit and then you can attach it on girth between the legs, on the side of the saddle or on the D rings. It was great, and you can ride in it also. It cost me about £6, so bargain as well!!

 

[NeedNewHorse]

Hi,

Yes I agree with everyone. The bungee and chambon are the best for this I think so another vote for those.. (plus they are both v-cheap to buy)

Also, have you seen the vid on www.horsehero.com of Laura B lunging her horse. It's a rope that goes over the back and attaches to the bit... Looks very good and works on the same principle, i.e long and low. Check out the site and watch the vid.
xxx

 

[alsxx]

Yep thats what I am already using, however with drawreins to improvise....works on him v well!

 

[Nailed]

I was going to suggest pessoa.. as when he takes the contact and stretches down. it will reward him.

Lou x

 

[NeedNewHorse]

[ QUOTE ]
Yep thats what I am already using, however with drawreins to improvise....works on him v well!

[/ QUOTE ]

Er... Doh!! Should of read your post better!!! Sorry.

How tight have you got them? I wanted to 'make' my own version but thought I would probably get it all wrong and would tangle my poor mare up! So for EG, if he is just stood there, how much slack have you got for a guide as I do want to try this too... (and I would stick with what you have then definitely) I should imagine, as your instuctor is not aware of them isb't keen on them for this reason, not that it doesn't actually work.xxx

 

[K27]

I personally wouldn't use side reins on a horse that needs to learn how to stretch and work thru his back in a soft way, Side reins on something that is rude with the contact.... possibly.

I'm not a huge fan of gadgets really or much lungeing- its sometimes easier to show the horse where is comfortable when they are being ridden, however your horses is letting you know that he prefers what you normally do, so go with it- far easier to work with the horse than against- especially when on the lunge!
Would recommend a Pessoa/Equiami type training aid on a horse that needs to stretch/work properly, but not every horse likes them ( I have one but never use it!).
If your horse is good to lunge sometimes by lungeing them with no gadgets , it is easier to get them working forwards and stretching down, and you can get a truer picture of what they actually look like.