harbridge training aids

[rapadoodles]

hi i have a 4yr old 15.1 welsh cross who is getting to grips with being on the bit, he has been really good but wont engage his back.
i have heard of harbridge before and looks all good, but wondered if it was cruel in any way
as i would never want to hurt my baby boy,
thanks,

 

[Pippity]

My first share horse, the owner insisted on her being ridden in a harbridge at all times. I could never really figure out how its action differed from a running martingale, other than the rider being unable to release the pressure because the harbridge was attached directly to the bit.

My share horse wore it because she liked to throw her head up and tank. I really can't see how it would do anything to help him work over his back. Pulling the nose in won't help him engage his hocks.

 

[iknowmyvalue]

I've used it on a horse, on physio/vet advice, with good effect. But it doesn't sound like it would necessarily be the best thing for your horse, especially with him being a youngster. I'd be more tempted to use something like an elastic tail bandage round his bum (and loose side reins if lunging) to encourage him to step under more from behind.

 

[sbloom]

Horses lift their heads because their posture and/or balance is poor, I would be fixing that, from the ground in the first instance. They may have a lack of understanding plus a lack of physical ability to be able to do the work being asked of them, and carrying a rider means a horse may instinctively lift its head and hollow, stopping the horse lifting its head doesn't fix the problem and may cause other problems through tension and inability to self balance.

 

[LEC]

I absolutely love Harbridges but wouldn’t be using one in the scenario you have described - I tend to use them as schooling fixes when a horse just has a block about something for a week or so as my preference over draw reins because you can keep the neck out better.

If the horse isn’t using its back it’s not going to be solved by a Harbridge. You are just faking the situation not actually training correct use.