people who have no idea what their pieces of tack do. RANT

i tend to avoid the use of anything unneccessary as i dont like cleaning tack but,most gadgets/training aids have a place when used by an educated person who understands the action and effect for a period of time not as a permanent fixture. if the end goal of somebody using such like equipement is to end up with a horse working correctly from behind in self carriage and the horse has no physical pain/problems then thats all well and good.
Unfortunately to many "experienced" seem to use bits/gadgets etc to haul the horses head into place then add a pair of spurs/schooling whip to stop the horses backing off them and then wonder why the horse starts to go heavy on the hand and sour in its work
last night i watched the puissance from the new zealand horse of the year show, a girl on a pony cleared 1.8m against four other riders her leg and seat where a perfect example the pony was i believe in a snaffle and she was bareback !
 
I add a hunting breastplate and martingale when hacking my mare, why??? because if she has one of her moments I want some chance of getting her to listen to me or for me to stay on. I would like to say not had a moment out hacking for many months and people may see me and say why had she got those on, but I know I need them on a few occasions. They cause horse no harm and only come into affect when she has head in air and it out of control. Please dont judge others without questioning why they have something on.
 
DragonSlayer said:
I would suggest you do read ALL of the replies, as some of us DON'T agree with what the OP said, and perhaps could give you a broader vision on 'the problem'.....?
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I don't need to read all of the replies - I was quite aware that some will and some won't agree. That's what discussion is all about. I was responding to the OP - not you.
 
Holly Hocks said:
I don't need to read all of the replies - I was quite aware that some will and some won't agree. That's what discussion is all about. I was responding to the OP - not you.
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..but you are of the opinion that many 'don't need it', correct?

Or are you another who believes they know what is right and wrong for every horse you see? Just because a horse is 'not behaving to type' with regards to what a piece of tack is meant to affect, does not mean it 'does not need it'.....too many people assuming too many things. Yes, I agree that some people will over-bit, but what gets my goat, is the people commenting on it, when it has bugger all to do with them.

..and as for responding to the OP, on a public forum, people will respond to what you post, whether you like it or not.
 
I agree. Also I think it's much worse when people own tack and don't even know how to fit it correctly. I have even see someone so clueless that they were riding with a tom thumb upside down!! :eek: Poor pony! :mad: :(
 
DragonSlayer said:
..but you are of the opinion that many 'don't need it', correct?

Or are you another who believes they know what is right and wrong for every horse you see? Just because a horse is 'not behaving to type' with regards to what a piece of tack is meant to affect, does not mean it 'does not need it'.....too many people assuming too many things. Yes, I agree that some people will over-bit, but what gets my goat, is the people commenting on it, when it has bugger all to do with them.

..and as for responding to the OP, on a public forum, people will respond to what you post, whether you like it or not.
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No Dragonslayer, I'm not saying that some horses don't need different bits/nosebands etc, but honestly, I think I only saw three people last night who weren't in gags and grackles with spurs on...you're not telling me that every one of those horses that had one on needed it - there were a lot of horses there. I saw a couple of really good riders in them - their horses really took the fences on and you could see the reason they needed them, but some of the others....
And no, I don't believe I know what is right or wrong for every horse I see. However I DO know what I saw last night, and I have no wish to see it again. Perhaps you would also agree with the girl on a lovely chestnut who had a pole down, then when in the tunnel from the arena back to the collecting ring lifted her legs off the horse's sides and kicked it -hard in the ribs with rather large spurs on causing a swift exhalation of breath from the horse - is that acceptable as well, just because that rider thought it was right to do so?
 
Holly Hocks said:
No Dragonslayer, I'm not saying that some horses don't need different bits/nosebands etc, but honestly, I think I only saw three people last night who weren't in gags and grackles with spurs on...you're not telling me that every one of those horses that had one on needed it - there were a lot of horses there. I saw a couple of really good riders in them - their horses really took the fences on and you could see the reason they needed them, but some of the others....
And no, I don't believe I know what is right or wrong for every horse I see. However I DO know what I saw last night, and I have no wish to see it again. Perhaps you would also agree with the girl on a lovely chestnut who had a pole down, then when in the tunnel from the arena back to the collecting ring lifted her legs off the horse's sides and kicked it -hard in the ribs with rather large spurs on causing a swift exhalation of breath from the horse - is that acceptable as well, just because that rider thought it was right to do so?
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You know the best thing to do is ignore it? Because it hasn't got anything to do with you? THIS is my point. Why didnt you go comment then, if it bugged you so much?
 
I totally agree with this and it sometimes annoys me too to see horses in severe bits and with gags that are totally not needed, not to mention chains across noses etc.

My boy has a grackle as he crosses his jaws, but he has a snaffle bit. He has a breastplate to keep his saddle in place and he has a martingale attachement as he needs it (look's like a giraffe when he get's excited).(kills 2 birds with one stone as to speak).

Apart from that he has nothing that is not needed.
 
DragonSlayer said:
You know the best thing to do is ignore it? Because it hasn't got anything to do with you? THIS is my point. Why didnt you go comment then, if it bugged you so much?
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Didn't bug me - just sort of confused me....on another note, I think you are my nieces teacher at school.....are you a teacher?
 
I ride with a martingale on. Horse doesn't need it but its there for me to grab when I feel nervous. Much better grabbing the neck strap than at their mouth. So sue me! :D
 
If my horse needs it, he has it or we get it..
I sometimes use my running martingale if we're going somewhere new and exciting - it stops him taking the mick by sticking his ears up my nose and I get something to hold on to if I need it.

I used to jump my horse in a Pelham with roundings and got a few comments about not needing it :rolleyes:
I liked to be able to stop without having to yank horsey's teeth out :cool:
Horse seems to prefer it to a snaffle..

Anyways, each to their own :)
 
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I wish there were more dragonslayers in the horse world, it would make it so much nicer and easier, i would rather spend an hour seeking advice from her than someone who thinks they know best.

Pink is just getting used to an eggbut snaffle and a cavesson bridle, when she goes for breaking we i'll see what they think is best. If I need to buy anything for her to secure both her and my own safety, and those around us then i will, and sod anyone who thinks it isnt needed. i would rather everyone slightly overcompensated (without harming their horse) and were a little safer than keeping to the bare minimum, losing control and causing a dangerous situation.

But really, even the top experts in their field cannot and would not make an assumption like the OPs because they know better than to judge anything an owner does after just one glance.
 
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ThePinkPony said:
I wish there were more dragonslayers in the horse world, it would make it so much nicer and easier, i would rather spend an hour seeking advice from her than someone who thinks they know best.

Pink is just getting used to an eggbut snaffle and a cavesson bridle, when she goes for breaking we i'll see what they think is best. If I need to buy anything for her to secure both her and my own safety, and those around us then i will, and sod anyone who thinks it isnt needed. i would rather everyone slightly overcompensated (without harming their horse) and were a little safer than keeping to the bare minimum, losing control and causing a dangerous situation.

But really, even the top experts in their field cannot and would not make an assumption like the OPs because they know better than to judge anything an owner does after just one glance.
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Doesnt make me popular though i'm afraid.....:(
 
Who cares if it works for them then it shouldnt matter to any one else.

People shouldnt need to justify their tack choices to people on a forum who they dont know and most likley never will. If they have problems then by all means ask for advice and change something and have a go.
 
dafthoss said:
Who cares if it works for them then it shouldnt matter to any one else.

People shouldnt need to justify their tack choices to people on a forum who they dont know and most likley never will. If they have problems then by all means ask for advice and change something and have a go.
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Very true. When I was on livery I got loads of stick off the other liveries and staff for putting my exracer in a pelham! They'd say exracers shouldn't be in anything severe, he needs a snaffle! Well I perservered with the snaffle for a year, I tried various bits, the pelham is what suits him, he's comfortable in it and works well. I'd much rather squeeze my reins than tug on them!! When people say drop your reins, they calm down, yeah most do but mine doesn't! I have a few instructors and all of them have encouraged the pelham, so why do the know it alls (had ploddy horses for probably a couple of years think they know best?)!!

And OMG he's led everywhere in a chiffney too!!! Shoot me!!!
 
I don't really care what tack people use as long as they understand it, have a good reason for using it and can use it properly. I don't care if someone has a 5 point breastplate on, that doesn't harm the horse. But i hate strong nosebands and bits when people don't understand the effect and therefore show no sympathy when using them.

The stronger bits etc i think if people trully understood them, and that nothing is beter than schooling and training, then no one would need to or want to use such harsh equipment.
 
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I agree with the OP in part, with the owner that is buying loads of different things for an unbroken (correct if wrong) youngster because it will "look nice". I think that is a bit silly tbh, surely you'd want to start simple & add if needs be?

However I don't go around thinking why have they got that bit/martingale/noseband on? It does annoy me when you see folks on horses kicking them on whilst holding them back :mad: poor horse just gets confused! Even worse when there's a strong bit on in the mouth & spurs being dug in.

My horse is in a single-jointed snaffle for flatwork/hacking but a cheltenham gag for jumping, if she doesn't look like she needs it then its working! ;)
 
JadeyyBabeyy said:
i hate when you see people riding in too strong bits, or everything they can fit on their horses.
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Sorry but why?

It must be very tiring getting annoyed at other people, perhaps someone looks at your tack and thinks the same of you, would that bother you?

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Quite frankly I fail to see why it's anyone else's business what tack/boots/bit Kali wears if they're not the ones riding him. My trainer and I ride him - ergo we decide what tack he should wear. End of.

P
 
Why are you going around asking people why they use what they use on their horses? That would drive me batty frankly. I don't really care what anyone else is using or spending their money on and I'd really rather they weren't sticking their nose into what I'm using or spending my money on. I don't really feel I have to explain my decisions to anyone.

For what it's worth, my mare goes in a sweet iron snaffle with copper insets, a plain cavesson, tendon boots and bells on the front and brushing boots on the hinds. And she does look lovely in all of it but that's not why I use it.
 
the only ones that make me :rolleyes: are the obvious 'all the gear no idea' folk, you know those who have all the latest and usually expensive clothes and equipment but have been riding for 5 minutes and are now an 'expert' :rolleyes:
But does it make me rant , nooooooo, let them get on with it, as long as they're not harming their horse then it really is up to them;)

oh and in case the op wants to get worked up this morning, i ride my big girl in a market harborough;) like to have that extra bit of control when 17hh turns into 19hh giraffe at the sight of some horse eating monster:)
 
This is a common rant on here but I have to say in real life I have never ever known anyone to use a piece of tack without there being a reason for it.
Those who say my horse came with a martingale but doesn't need one etc , the thing is horses go very differently for different riders. So just because you didn't need it doesn't mean the other rider didn't find it useful.
 
I dont get why people get funny about boots with comments like "oh i only use them for jumping/xc"
I boot my horse with brushing boots front and hind, and overreach boots every ride. And 24/7 when turned out in the field. She is a loony in a field and goes through several pairs a month, i would rather she trashed boots than her legs, and when ridden what harm do boots do? i would rather be over cautious than have to deal with cuts knocks etc.

Sometimes i think people have far too much time on their hands to worry so much about what other people put on their horse.
Mine is ridden in a full cheek snaffle, a crank noseband with flash (she opens her mouth) she is happy in it. A running martingale....she doesnt need it 99% of the time. But if she does its there.
I carry a whip at all times. Out hacking to beat off a dog/goose if it attacks us (happens alot round my way) and when schooling to back up my weak left leg.

It works for us, she is happy, she isnt in pain. I am happy, i am in control.

To be honest somtimes its people who try and get as little kit on their horses that actually do more harm. Someone who rides heavy handed in a bitless bridle can cause significant pain to a horse. They are to be used with care not just to make a statement.
 
I assume that if a horse is going beautifully then whatever it is wearing/using is obviously working. If it looks easy to ride in a gag, then why should it be put into a snaffle? Unless you have ridden the horse, you will have no idea what works and feels good.

And what is the problem with people buying breastplates etc? Not really any different to buying 100s of rugs that you don't need, is it? Doesn't hurt anyone.
 
Auslander said:
No bit is strong when the horse is standing in the stable. I've been through some pretty funky combinations of gear with my horses. End game was always to get a nice feel put of them - I like big warmbloods cranking out loads of power from behind, yet with a barely there feel in the hand. Mine have always gone in snaffles or doubles as a rule, but I have also used Tellington Jones bits and other torturous looking contraptions for fine tuning when I felt like it. I'd prefer to give a tweak on one of those, than a heave on a snaffle.

I like strategically placed leather handles - be they neckstraps/ breastplates/martingales - I find them very helpful for preventing bucked off-age, or for hauling myself back into the saddle when early bucked off-age avoidance tactics have failed.

I'm even going to confess to running rein useage - they have their uses, including the supplementary benefit of being very useful for grabbing from the ground after an unscheduled face-first dismount from a horse who was notorious for dropping his riders and heading for home alone. We were 10 miles from home, and I had no interest in walking - so a bit of low hanging leather was a very welcome sight...
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Sorry, totally OTT, but this made me laugh :D :D Loving the thinking (and the mental images!).
 
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