Riding/training aids (but not draw reins) - any good?

Bernster

Bernster

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Things like the equiami (for riding not lunging), chambon or elastic rein - to use when you are riding.

I've never used anything like this but wondered what people's experiences are and if they help a horse to train/work correctly. And are these different to a bungee rein?

http://www.equiami.com/index.php/riding-aid

http://www.ingatestonesaddlery.co.uk/Horse/Saddlery/Training-Aids/Jhl-Chambon-105190.Aspx

http://www.ingatestonesaddlery.co.u...hn-Whitaker-Elastic-Training-Rein-100099.Aspx

Don't like the idea of draw reins as seem to allow a horse to forge along on the forehand but with their heads tucked in.
 
Just my personal feeling but if a rider is good enough to use gadgets like those effectively then they probably dont need them under most circumstances. Can occasionally be useful to help solve a specific problem but not for general schooling
 
Really I do use various things for lunging as I not a great side rein fan ( not pessoas as I don't like them )and choose want I use depending on the horse and what I am trying to achieve .
I do occasionally use draw reins ( can't remember when I last did ) but if I felt it was apporiate I would feel very relaxed about it .
If they put the horse on the forehand you are using them badly and should stop.
Have occasionally used bungee riens in the past .
I quite like the equi ami ( much better than a Pessoa ) I think it's a useful tool in some circumstances for lunging I have never used the riding one the bungee is quite useful if you want some mild poll pressure but I am not a great fan of using poll pressure so although I have a Chambon it just gathers dust.
 
My personal experience of them is that in 99.9% they distract from the real work that needs to be done and dull both horse and rider.

It depends what issue you are hoping to correct with those gadgets. Unless it's a long term issue that have been tried to be resolved with good trainer by progressive schooling without success then from my experience none of these "aids" are of help in training a healthy horse.

There is quite a bit of anecdotal evidence that the use of gadgets can cause various soundness issues and I do hope there is a research done on this at some point, sooner the better.

Whenever I feel like I would like to use a gadget to sort something out or have a rider who wishes to do so I like to have a good look at an issue that I would like gone and ask myself, how can I achieve certain outcome via bio-mechanically correct process. And take it from there.
 
A harbridge is useful. Correctly fitted it wont affect lateral movement or put a horse on the forehand, just prevents hollowing thereby allowing the correct muscles to develop.
 
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