Magnetic headpieces - Food for thought

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burtie

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Without getting into the does it dosn't it debate. Lets just assume it does work as suggested by the users who have one. This device has an immediate and major effect on the horses temperament calming and making him work correctly by putting it on just an hour before riding. Now in my book if it has this much effect on the manner of the horse is it not cheating (if not technically at least within the spirit of the rules)?

I'm sitting on the fence with this one but verge on the side of it it's not really within the sprit of the rules.

What do other peeps think.

I'm sure I'm going to get shot down for this!
 
My thoughts are that whether it is the magnet or putting a headcollar on an hour before, it doesn't matter, it works so why not?!
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Well then the same should be thought of with SJers with weighted boots, or the ones that apparently increase hind leg "snap up" (dalmar, N.E.W). Or the amount of competitors on calmers of all sorts , the pull tight crank nosebands in D, people who lunge for hours before they go in the ring like at HOYS, ear plugs...etc etc.
 
I wouldn't say so. I can't talk from experience but I would say doing something/anything to help your horse relax and feel happier isn't really against the spirit of competing. IMHO
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That's if it works!
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I wouldn't say so. I can't talk from experience but I would say doing something/anything to help your horse relax and feel happier isn't really against the spirit of competing. IMHO
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That's if it works!
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Anything? Really? Even ACP?!
 
My thoughts are if this is what happens by putting it on for less than an hour, then what in the world is it doing internally? Something that worked so quickly and so extremely would seriously concern me I'm afraid.
 
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My thoughts are that whether it is the magnet or putting a headcollar on an hour before, it doesn't matter, it works so why not?!
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That wasn't the question or the point of the post - the question is, assuming it DOES work, is it cheating to use one in a competition?
 
For example - bute may make a horse happier and more relaxed in its work if used on a horse in pain - does that make it right to compete on it? By Law's logic, yes....
 
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I would say doing something/anything to help your horse relax and feel happier isn't really against the spirit of competing. IMHO
That's if it works!

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Most of the banned substances will do this too!
 
Eeek! I replied in a similar fashion.
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Okay I am quickly answering the actual question so don't shout at me
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Yes I would say that it is not in the spirit of competition to use something like this which appears to be totally mind-altering for the horse, as suggested by some members.
 
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For example - bute may make a horse happier and more relaxed in its work if used on a horse in pain - does that make it right to compete on it? By Law's logic, yes....

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I'm sorry my 'logic' would not apply to working an unsound/in pain horse on bute.
 
I'm in agreement with you SC. But then again, to ban them in competition surely a decent amount of research would need to be done that proves they DO actually work. We know ACP has a calming/sedative effect and it's banned in competition. A lot of calmers out there are a load of rubbish, some people *think* they work but they're not banned....
 
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For example - bute may make a horse happier and more relaxed in its work if used on a horse in pain - does that make it right to compete on it? By Law's logic, yes....

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I'm sorry my 'logic' would not apply to working an unsound/in pain horse on bute.

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But you said anything which makes the horse happier/more relaxed....

Like DD says - where do you draw the line? This is not a personal attack, don't take it as such, but if yu make statements like 'anything' then you have to be prepared to have them questioned, surely?
 
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Yes I would say that it is not in the spirit of competition to use something like this which appears to be totally mind-altering for the horse, as suggested by some members.

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As I can't talk from experience and have no idea about banned substances I'm going to step out of this discussion.
By 'something/anything' I meant a massage or physio visit to keep your horse happy and contect- not feeding it mind altering substances
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LMAO Tia!!
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Your point was interesting about what damage it might be doing though, if it apparently works so well and so quickly.

Surely it's along the same lines as some bits not being dressage legal because they could give an unfair advantage - when I first started doing dressage with Rhyn I would have loved waterfords to be legal because he was so much softer in his at the time! I had to get on with it and learn how to get him going well in a snaffle....my thoughts are that if your horse goes better in a magnetic headpiece then maybe you need to be looking at why he doesn't go well in a "normal" bridle.
 
Like DD says, where do you draw the line? You could say martingales are cheating (not saying they are).

If that was the case everyone should compete in the exact same tack. Caverson bridle, loose ring snaffle and a saddle and no boots
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You could say martingales are cheating (not saying they are).



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Well actually they would be in Dressage
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However the debate is purely hyperthetical as magnietice headpieces are allowed so everyone is free to use one if they want!
 
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But you said anything which makes the horse happier/more relaxed....


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Eeek, well, I didn't mean drugs!
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I know that really, but it's an interesting point isn't it?

I think CC has also got an interesting point about bits - my pony would do a far better test if I could ride him in a pelham - he'd be happier, more relaxed and his way of going would improve. But I can't do it....
 
I think in every sport you will come across exceptions like this - for instance Cortizone injections inabling athletes to run even with damage, the taking of creatine in order to build muscle all these are perfectly legal in sport because anyone has access to this stuff and you still need to be able to perform with these things.
A magnetic headpiece may make a horse calmer but if your horse is still stiff, does not move well or you cannot ride then it makes bugger all difference. I feel the same about weighted boots. You still need to go and SJ round a course of around 10 fences without cocking up the canter, missing strides, or riding badly. Weighted boots will not help those things.
 
Very interesting - w.r.t to dressage specifically, as it would appear that dressage riders are using these headpieces more than riders in other disciplines, if the scales of training are being followed, surely there is no need for these devices?

If certain calming substances are forbidden, why can calming devices be used?
 
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For example - bute may make a horse happier and more relaxed in its work if used on a horse in pain - does that make it right to compete on it? By Law's logic, yes....

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It is completly legal to jump BSJA on Bute
 
Why don't you all just attach magnets to your heads for an hour and see what happens to you- clear up the debate once and for all?
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If it really does have a calming effect I might treat myself to one, perhaps we could fashion some kind of hat?
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[ QUOTE ]
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For example - bute may make a horse happier and more relaxed in its work if used on a horse in pain - does that make it right to compete on it? By Law's logic, yes....

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It is completly legal to jump BSJA on Bute

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I know, I just knew Law didn't mean that and was being pedantic....there are lots of words in the English language so we should at least attempt to say what we really mean....
 
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If it really does have a calming effect I might treat myself to one, perhaps we could fashion some kind of hat?
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Oi, that's my future career plan. I have a whole range of magnetic products I'm planning
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Interesting point CC (I think) made about working to get the same effect in a 'legal' bit. I think the problem is that people are using things like this to treat the 'symptoms' but doing nothing to work through the underlying cause. Though of course that takes a lot longer...
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