Rant! - why do people over tack their horses!!!

BTW my original post was meant as a criticism to those who use complicated tack without knowing what they are doing or use it to cover up other problems - i.e. bad riding, lack of schooling, etc. For example using draw reins to 'force' a horses head down rather than as a complimentary schooling aid.

I have nothing against people using gadgets correctly and as an aid. Didn't mean to offend anyone!!
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totally agree! wz at comp other month and there wz a small clueless child on a poor liittle thing with spurs & an upside down dutch gag!!! wz horrif!
 
I hate seeing horses wearing too much tack! I like to use as little as possible tack, and my pony wears a simple snaffle bridle with a cavesson noseband.

However, I believe that all tack is only as good as the rider of the horse. In other words, extra tack etc can be beneficial if it is used correctly.
 
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why do you not have a rein on top ring as well, to give a more subtle aid first or when he's not legging it?

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If you look at a three ring gag being used with the rein on the big ring it doesn't actually work properly you'd be better off in a normal snaffle. I don't like seeing the bottom ring being used with one rein but alot of horses go quite happily on the second ring alone. For me if the horse is pulling me then the bit's not enough. I jump my grade A in a pelham and rarely have to touch his mouth, he knows i've got control and that's enough. if you're jumping down a related distance and your horse takes hold you need to be able to say wait straight away not ask them nicely first.
 
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Couldn't agree more. When used properly a double bridle and strong bit is fine but I saw a horse not a million miles away from me ridden in one of those double rein bits with many rings down the side (the name escapes me) with ONE set of reins attached only to the bottom ring!! The poor horse could barely lift his head up.



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That surprises me since you are describing a dutch gag which has a head raising action not a head lowering one....
 
I had a lesson with a new instructor yesterday.

First thing she said ( looking at my horse with snaffle and plain hunter noseband ) "I like all horses to wear a flash"

My reply " really" and carried on riding.

First and last lesson I feel!
 
I can't believe that, good for you sticking to what you believe in, did she bother to explain why she 'likes all horses in a flash'? stupid cow, my horse never wears a flash, why bother to clamp the mouth shut?
 
Hmmmm, over tightened my girth too, said girths should be tight - I pointed out that my girth had been plenty tight enough and I really didn't want his pecs squashed and that I would like him to be able to breathe!!!!!!!!!!!

Said whilst letting girth back down again.......
 
Because they can.
Because they follow 'fashion'
Because they don't know any better.
Because their parents don't know any better.
Because they don't care.
Take your pick.

Or, because, heaven help us, the horse needs it for his job, I mean just look at this poor horse!
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and the job he does:
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You will notice that those reins are slack and the mouth is shut.
 
Three instances;

First a pony we purchased for our son. A small hairball of a thing which came complete with a flash bridle and a fulmer snaffle.

It didnt need it. When we got it we were barely able to get it to walk fowards let alone stop or turn it... after change of management and manners instilled it was perfectly safe in a simple snaffle.


Second pony (who we currently own) came in an eggbutt snaffle. Changed to a straightbar rubber flexi snaffle. Now he's in a wilkie. Why? Because although I trust him, he has my daughter's life in his hands when she decides to ake him off round the field on her own, and being 4 years old I'd rather like her to have some brakes. I deliberated for months over the bit change and its been the best thing we ever did. She never has to haul, she's slowly learning to use soft hands, and I'd much rather that.

Third instance, a friend, a fellow HHO-er, who owns a large TB. Said large TB was a little of a nut job at times, and she became too wary of hacking, jumping... sad to see when you could see the horse had potential and the rider determination. I recall standing by her trailer at a show and her saying "I've tried every calmer on the market... it just makes him worse'
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After pelhams waterfords etc horse was moved yards and changed back to a simple snaffle. Said horse is now a different horse. It hacks out alone and in company, it SJ's, it shows (and doesnt try and tank) and rider is much much happier.


It isnt just down to schooling, it can be down to all sorts of things, and often groundwork comes before schooling work, and routine and happiness in their enviroment comes before ground work. When you;re happy that all that is sorted then by all means introduce a stronger bit / different noseband.


I have to say i can't be bothered with boots either, I'm a 'bandages or nothing' girl. I can;t fathom why anyone would hinder the movement of the graceful creature that is the horse by sticking flappy boots on it or tying its head down (Unless its necessary for horse or rider safety).
 
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whats with the 4 over-reach boots thing anyway? it must be rare that a horse would need so much surely? even have them on for turnout here...i try to buy animals that can walk in a straight line without injuring themselves
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Four overreach boots are useful if the clenches are up if they're due for the farrier and are accident prone plebs!

Mine pulls his front shoes off practically every day if he doesn't wear overreach boots on the front, and he's such a dope that if his clenches are up, i'd rather stick on a pair of boots than him damage himself!


I have to admit though, on my fat boy, I was sighted on Sunday in a loose ring french link snaffle, cavesson noseband, spurs and stick and neddio still not moving anywhere...

I am the one who walks around the 2'3 pony club kicking and barely getting into a trot
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Horse was taking the p*ss mind - had warmed up fine!
 
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Because they can.
Because they follow 'fashion'
Because they don't know any better.
Because their parents don't know any better.
Because they don't care.
Take your pick.

Or, because, heaven help us, the horse needs it for his job, I mean just look at this poor horse!
DSCF6330.jpg

and the job he does:
DSCF6380.jpg


You will notice that those reins are slack and the mouth is shut.

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But how many english riders can ride like that, and how many english style horses are trained so well to weight aids? I'm not into western, but i have to admit i am in awe of the horses responsiveness.

I would be completely happy if all horses with harsh bits and lots of gadgets were all ridden that well, but they're not. And we're mostly talking about those numpties who don't know one bit from another and just stick in something that looks impressive. Of course there are examples of harsh bits and gadgets being used fantastically... but i have found them to be few and far between..
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I'm in the snaffle, cavesson and GP saddle brigade. I've been riding since I was 7 (23 now), and know how my own tack works. Bits are so varied and complex these days that I don't really have any idea how they work - I certainly wouldn't ride in any tack I didn't understand. Even though my mare can be a bit strong and forward going, I can calm her down and don't need a strong bit to slow her up - mind you, we've been together for 7 years so I know all her tricks
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The only 'extra' are her chunky tendon boots - only use these when jumping as she's a Welsh Cob and has hefty hoofs and I worry that she'll clobber her legs with them! I wonder whether it's a sign on the times - people wanting everything now - look at the current trend of TV programmes such as X Factor. People want all the glory and not to put the work in, sadly the horses and ponies have to put up with it all.
 
Hmmm sometimes it just seems to end up that way - but it does work both ways.
I've had one "bondage victim" (my name for him) and one almost naked and many in between.
The bondage victim had: oversized browband as he couldn't have anything tight around his ears having been tethered as a youngster, fulmer snaffle, flash, standing/running combined with breastplate - he was a nappy beggar when he wanted to be and a studguard - he snapped up so quick in front that he beat seven bales out of it. I'd much rather he went in a plain simple bridle but it just didn't work on him.
The "naked" one had: double jointed snaffle (tried single joint as she always hangs one side out of her mouth - she sulked like mad) and that was it - no martingale, flash or anything, just occasional draw reins for flat work.
 
I totally agree, my current ponio has defo been hauled around at some point as she has quite a hard mouth, although she is in a pelham with double reins now and only used when flexion needed rather than a 3 ring gag. But I use brushing boots, fetlock boots and overreachs for showjumping and when the ground is v hard for my guys. Also a running matingale for SJ. Although my other 2 are in simple cavesson bridels one with loose ring snaffle and other with a pelham and roundings as she is a little strong. BUt i hate seeing horses who are overbitted and tacked!
 
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