How much tack?

K

KSR

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 January 2012
Messages
1,416
Visit site
Why??? I'm upset at this although I'm sure worse happens.. Maybe I'm a fluffy bunny and didn't know, but this just isn't right :(

This was on a friends FB wall..

8a5a8925.jpg
 
Must have incredibly nimble & big hands to manange 3 reins independantly.

Personally I go for cavesson, no gadgets. I'm no expert (happy to admit to this), but if a horse needs a cross noseband, then he hasn't accepted the bit to a high enough level to use a double bridle? Isn't there enough leverage from the kerb & insufficient training to produce flexion without the draw reins? If training lacking, again why the double? Suprised the knitting doesn't get knotted with this lot. Horse will build huge neck just from carrying the weight of this lot. A question, with all draw reins how can the horse get his head up high enough to need a martingale?
 
Last edited:
I'm assuming that's an SJer in which case acceptance of the bridle isn't the issue, it's brakes! I wouldn't have the need, because I don't ride that sort of horse, to do that but to me it looks as though what is on there has been well thought out and carefully fitted. The grackle's not done up ultra tight, care has been taken to doublestop the curb rein, reins are both through martingale rings, draw rein obviously not! There's not an excessive angle on the curb.

So not my cup of tea but I wouldn't say there's anything wrong with it if that's what's been found is needed to help the rider get the horse to do it's job, there's nothing incorrect or cruel. Unless that fluffy sheepskin has tacks in it of course.
 
It's all well fitted tack, looks like the rider knows how to use it. Looks like it's in a warm up -I'd imagine the horse is either lacking in brakes or liable to explode. Not my cup of tea, but can't see anything to be outraged about :confused:
 
It's obviously a SJ warmup arena or whatever, so technically, the draw reins will come off, and you will be left with a DB, grackle and martingale, which in SJ circles is nothing unusual, and arguably less unsavoury than some of these terrifying bit/noseband combos that seem to be fashionable these days. Swap it for a pelham and you have the standard tack for a 13.2 ridden by a ham fisted kid (avec spurs, natch) at our local show.
That does not alter the fact that it looks horrible :(
 
So, if I'm counting correctly that's a grackle, double bridle/curb chain, martingale and draw reins . . . this is an honest question . . . why would you need that much equipment?

Honestly, not being snide . . . genuinely baffled.

P
 
Hartika said:
If that is what's needed the so e it, no one here knows this horse personally therefore do not have the right or knowledge to judge. In fact after lurking for quite some time it amazes me, just how many forum users sit behind a screen and criticise, when the majority of them wouldn't have a hope in hell of riding one side a pro horse!
Click to expand...


Well said;);) they wouldn't get with 100m of the horse. Most of them would do more damage to a horses mouth with a snaffle!!!:p:p:p
 
If any of you were at HOYS this year on the sunday, seeing the supreme horse shoewing class you would have seen one in a grackle and double bridle, IN A SHOWING class. The tack suited the horse and that is all that should matter. They look like they know what they are doing with the tack, although i dont really agree with the draw reins so leave them be
 
I don't think it looks brutal...it's a double bridle (used by a lot of people), with a grackle (very widely used) that looks loosely fitted, a martingale and draw reins (which would then be taken off).

I would MUCH rather see this than a horse in a snaffle having its head hauled off
 
Not enraged, just baffled. Agree that maybe more work at home to reduce what's needed. Guess I'm used to a sport that may use strong bits on very fit horses but almost always in conjunction with a cavesson. Amongst affiliated competitors other nosebands rarely seen, maybe a martingale but that's it. Spurs banned, as are long whips, when racing no whips at all allowed on final loop. The horse has to want to do the job, guess it's just what you get used to as 'normal'.
 
^^^^^ Love it.

No-one has pointed out that it doesn't match either. Brass and stainless buckles, black and havana . . .
 
It is alot of iron to have in a horses mouth but if its the difference between nothing and a cheque for 250 grand, need I say anymore????:p:p
 
kirstykate said:
It is alot of iron to have in a horses mouth but if its the difference between nothing and a cheque for 250 grand, need I say anymore????:p:p
Click to expand...

The same amount as all top dressage horses wear... and show horses.... and even mine at times, poor boy. The double in isolation is surely not even an issue?

I used to ride a horse in a double and grackle combination actually. She went beautifully :) Not my horse, and not my decision on tack but it worked very well for that horse. No martingale and no draw reins though :)
 
PolarSkye said:
So, if I'm counting correctly that's a grackle, double bridle/curb chain, martingale and draw reins . . . this is an honest question . . . why would you need that much equipment?

Honestly, not being snide . . . genuinely baffled.

P
Click to expand...

My guess whould have to be based on a whole heap of assumptions.
The horse is a showjumper.
Competes at a reasonable level.
Forward going and excitable.

It may well be that the tack is only required to maintain control in the often far too tight warmup for SJ. keeping a horse back on its hocks, bouncing off a wall in to a large oxer then back to almost zero forward speed or run in to another horse. Horse will also most likely be anticipating the SJ round to come. Very different to the conditions the horse will be subject to once in the areana for the SJ round.
Once in the ring it may well not need all the tack as now it can go forward and would be focussed on the job but stripping all the tack off before entering is not an option (except draw reins but these are normally removed before jumping the last few practice fences).
As I said, pure guess ut I certainly wouldn't condem without knowing the facts.
 
PaddyMonty said:
My guess whould have to be based on a whole heap of assumptions.
The horse is a showjumper.
Competes at a reasonable level.
Forward going and excitable.

It may well be that the tack is only required to maintain control in the often far too tight warmup for SJ. keeping a horse back on its hocks, bouncing off a wall in to a large oxer then back to almost zero forward speed or run in to another horse. Horse will also most likely be anticipating the SJ round to come. Very different to the conditions the horse will be subject to once in the areana for the SJ round.
Once in the ring it may well not need all the tack as now it can go forward and would be focussed on the job but stripping all the tack off before entering is not an option (except draw reins but these are normally removed before jumping the last few practice fences).
As I said, pure guess ut I certainly wouldn't condem without knowing the facts.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the explanation and I understand it's a best guess...

I was curious too... :)

I'm a bit unsure with oodles of tack... Purely because my TB was in a grackle, double reins, dutch gag on the lowest ring and a martingale when I went to see him... Poor thing was in such a bad way he could hardly stand... Once he got some shape about him needs a regular bridle with a flash option (he does try and wriggle his tongue over the bit sometimes) and a french link bit... I'm open to the idea he might need a bit more when he starts popping a jump but it seemed a bit OTT the way he was 'dressed' before...
 
Ladydragon said:
I'm a bit unsure with oodles of tack... Purely because my TB was in a grackle, double reins, dutch gag on the lowest ring and a martingale when I went to see him... Poor thing was in such a bad way he could hardly stand... Once he got some shape about him needs a regular bridle with a flash option (he does try and wriggle his tongue over the bit sometimes) and a french link bit... I'm open to the idea he might need a bit more when he starts popping a jump but it seemed a bit OTT the way he was 'dressed' before...
Click to expand...

Sometimes a hose wear tack to compensate for the riders lack of ability.
Sometimes a horse wears tack due to riders lack of knowledge
Sometimes a horse wears tack due to riders belief that it looks good


And sometimes a horse wears tack because a knowledgeable decision has been made that the tack is needed to deal with a short term situation (such as tight, crowded SJ warmup).

The real trick is deciding which of the above apply. ;)
Hint, the last is often the least likely.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top