Harbridge Training Aid??

[Fionafaye]

I saw one in the Ride Away magazine and was wondering has anyone used one before and is it any good?

 

[ForeverBroke_]

*sheepishly raises hand* I know loads of people on here don't like gadgets

I've used one when I first got Darcy, VERY loosley (Sp) and I found it did me the world of good. It helped me to get an idea of a better contact without forcing him down and he could still use his head etc. So i'd say they were

 

[Fionafaye]

I don't like gadgets either, it was my mum who suggested it, I just thought I would do my research before I said yes or no to it. I don't want something that is going to force my mares head down, more something that encourages her to do it.

 

[ForeverBroke_]

Then I'd say it'd be a good. It definitly didn't force Darcy down as it took a good 20 minutes for him to soften down etc as I had it as loose as it could be. Other wise he'd have been pinned down from the start

 

[Fionafaye]

Thanks. It sounds like it could be just what I need.

 

[golddustsara]

I don't like many training aids but the harbridge or the abbot davis training aids are really gentle and encourage rather than force.

 

[cellie]

I tried harbridge and market harborough I prefferred harborough as it only came into play when I wanted to increase pressure rather than hold mares head in same position.My mare had upside down neck she was sj that went like giraffe she had developed all the wrong muscles. I was advised to build her muscle up gradually the mh was better option for her.Hope that helps

 

[sachak]

i tried the harbridge on my novice and it has really encourage him to soften

 

[scotsmare]

I used the harbridge a lot on my daughters last pony who had a tendency to put head up and p*ss off with no martingale. It totally did the trick and helped her riding as she wasn't constantly battling the pony.

 

[CoachinaCar]

I think you need to be careful what type of horse you put it on as can be dangerous, it is a fixed gadget and if your horse takes a dislike to it and puts his head up to fight it there is no way you can release it, if horse panics you are in trouble, I have seen this happen. I would only use a gadget that I could hold in my hand and throw away if horse really through a wobbly.

 

[Forget_Me_Not]

[ QUOTE ]
I think you need to be careful what type of horse you put it on as can be dangerous, it is a fixed gadget and if your horse takes a dislike to it and puts his head up to fight it there is no way you can release it, if horse panics you are in trouble, I have seen this happen. I would only use a gadget that I could hold in my hand and throw away if horse really through a wobbly.


[/ QUOTE ]

Only use a leather one so it can snap if it really needs to and introduce it on the lunge. Also it should have elastic to give a little. I'm not a fan of gadgets or strapped down heads but I will use a harbridge. I think there great actually. Even if it just gives the rider a chance to learn what there feeling for : ) I find if I have a really nosie and grumpy horse rather then fight it's easier to school a few times with a harbidge, loose enough it's not in play when the horse is wokring correctly and plenty of leg to work him into it. When you take it off often the horse won't relise and will carry on going beautifuly : )

 

[fatpiggy]

One of the best things to come on the market in years - simple, kind and effective.