Go on, admit it, what gadgets do you use?

I think it is pretty ignorant to categorically say that gadgets are bad (though I am aware that the OP did not suggest that). I will use whatever will improve my horses way of going in the correct way. Not to take "short cuts" or make the horse work improperly - but to improve. I'd much rather see a horse working correctly in "gadgets" than running around hollow for ages.
 
When she was in work, I used spurs on her. I dont know if that's classed as a gadget but I spose it is to some people.

Anyone that tells me I shouldn't be, I challenged them to ride her without them and see how they felt.
 
I don't think it counts as a gadget, but I do use a breast girth to stop Scooby's saddle slipping back. That's the only extra thing he has besides his saddle and snaffle cavesson bridle.
 
No gadgets (a breastplate for me to hold on to if I have a wibble) other than that it's cavasson nosebands and snaffles all the way for me.
I have used sidereins when lunging in the past that's it.
 
nothing! after getting my boy from his owner in a market harboro.......worst thing ive ever seen, i vowed he would never have to wear gadgets again so he has nothing not even a martingale! all he has is a sheepskin noseband (he has a tendancy to put his hed up when jumping, but not enough to warrant a martingale!)
 
I have started using a flash again as Tia started trying to cross her jaw a bit when ridden.
For lunging I used to use lungie bungie but now use Equiami. But sometimes I lunge in just a cavesson and lungeline.
Have used a running martingale last year but she doesnt need it.
 
as few as possible.
draw reins only ever for hacking out Katy when she's getting fit and has a phase of being utterly scatty and throwing herself around, as they seriously limit her ability to corkscrew me off!
martingale only on a horse that really needs one.
chambon occasionally for lungeing, or 1 looseish long rein from bit, between legs, over back and back down and between legs to bit, to encourage long and low.
 
Currently competing at prelim but she is novice at home (not that you would have known that if you saw us at our latest outing) Ride her in a french link hanging cheek snaffle with a flash as she tends to open her mouth and lean on my hands or crosses her jaw to the same effect. Usually ride in a hunter breast plate with a martingale attachement. More bits to grab on to if I am hanging on for dear life and the martingale does sometimes help when she is being particularly giraffe like.

Lunging is usually with side reins, although I do occasionally use a bungie. I have a funny feeling that I may have to dig the passoa out to help develop her back after the Physio has been.

With current mare have used a market harborough and a harbridge in the past to help to develop the correct muscles, as she used to be very hollow backed, star gazer.
 
None
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Old school- abbott davies balancer.

I love it, and after a couple of sessions on a green horse you don't need to use it again. or if you do v. rarely. It's great as it means they can't lean on your hand, only against themselves, and so quickly get the message to be very light through the contact.
 
I lunge my pony in side reins to help to get him working into a consistent contact, but he doesn't wear any gadgets when he is ridden. Our 6 year old wears a running martingale and a flash noseband.

I would class myself as fairly experienced.
 
I lunge in a chambon - I've tried several lungeing gadgets and this is the one that really makes the difference, gets her loose and swinging through her back nicely.

I do ride her in a grackle and martingale every day though as she's rather strong-willed!!
 
None, hate draw reins with a passion, they put the horse on the forehand and can ruin the bars of the mouth.

I long rein so no need for side reins that also can put the horse on the forehand.
 
In the past I have used both a bungee rein and running reins when ridden.

Generally I use nothing, and I don't believe in using a gadget as a shortcut to correct work.

However I do think that gadgets have their place. For example, I used running reins in the past on my loopy horse who couldn't canter. I'd been schooling him for ages and he had no problem with working correctly, but he had major issues with canter, and would instantly throw his head up, thus completely tensing through his back and then physically couldn't canter properly, would just change legs constantly leaping up and down. Because he was SO tense, trying to ride through it had no effect and he would just get worse and worse.

The addition of running reins, although they were very loose, acted as a crutch and because they stopped him throwing his head in the sky, it meant he didn't totally seize up in his back and I could get my leg on and ride forwards. Once he realised it wasn't totally scary, then his progression was so quick and I was able to remove the running reins totally after a short space of time.

I would always try to fix a problem without any outside assistance, but I have absolutely no qualms about gadgets being used properly. I'm not a purist - I don't have any problem with someone using a gadget if it helps them solve a problem in a way that is easier and less painful for both horse and rider. I only dislike them if they are used as a short cut to riding properly.
 
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