Tack question for drivers/high stepping horse owners

[stangs]

Picture was of a Hackney pony.

Is it common practice/legal to use chains (presumably to create a bigger trot) in the UK? They look to me like slightly more horse-friendly versions of what the Tennessee Walkers get, but never seen a UK-based horse with them on before.

 

[Merry neddy man]

YUK owner should be shot

 

[SilverLinings]

I've never seen them, but only have non-professional experience in private driving classes and driving trials. I have not seen them used in hackney classes, or on hackneys being trained (although I have limited experience with hackneys). Do you know where the photograph came from? I wouldn't be overly surprised if they were used by the particular fraternity that thinks it acceptable to race 2yr olds into the ground on public roads

 

[The Xmas Furry]

A very few use 'rattlers' to allegedly make them get a rhythm when training.
However, never seen at shows, needs reporting to society if you have more info on who pony or owner is!

 

[JBM]

I hate people

 

[ester]

I don't think it's common but Im not entirely surprised, along with the quality shoeing job. .

 

[Nari]

Taking better care of it's feet would probably do more to improve it's action, they're a disgrace.

 

[ester]

They're left long on purpose to generate more knee action.

 

[stangs]

However, never seen at shows, needs reporting to society if you have more info on who pony or owner is!

Happens to be one of the well-known Hackney pony breeders... Don't think they're still dealing in Hackney ponies though, and the picture's a few months old.

Will email society when I get some time tomorrow, as I've seen some photos of other horses of theirs being trained in them. Curious to see where the society stands on the matter.

ETA: Found videos of another well-known stud training in them, so I'm presuming they might be standard practice?

 

[stangs]

Another photo - can't tell if the poster is from the same stud, but they've had horses of that prefix.


Presumably for a horse who's got fine foreleg action but needs more behind? Can't tell from the photo what exactly is being used on its hinds. On video, looks like the band stays secured but the rings fly up and down.

ETA: This is the second well-known stud. Looks like bells on the hinds?

 

[Orangehorse]

I was advised by my physio to fasten a curb chain round my horse's hind fetlocks to increased his awareness of his movement - can't remember the correct word.

Which I guess is the same reason for the chains, so they get into a rhythm, sort of a rhythm beads type thing, to get a nice even pace.

 

[stangs]

I was advised by my physio to fasten a curb chain round my horse's hind fetlocks to increased his awareness of his movement - can't remember the correct word.

Which I guess is the same reason for the chains, so they get into a rhythm, sort of a rhythm beads type thing, to get a nice even pace.

For proprioception? Curious. Was there anything wrong with your horse or was it supposed to be just general improvement?

 

[Tiddlypom]

I was advised by my physio to fasten a curb chain round my horse's hind fetlocks to increased his awareness of his movement - can't remember the correct word.

Same here, except this was my chiro vet who recommended it, and she recommended putting over reach boots for short periods on both hinds as part of a rehab process.

The horse accepted the boots fine, and the improvement in the jump in her canter when wearing them was astonishing. It improved her proprioception (knowing where her legs were). It's definitely a case of 'a little is more', though. I was only to put them on for a short time, a few minutes.

 

[rabatsa]

Among a box of tack in the old farm stables where I kept my ponies as a child were some weighted over reach boots. Talking to the owner (an old chap in his 90's) they were for the hackneys which they were famous for breeding. The horses lived in the boots and they were removed just before being shown.

This chap was full of hackney stories. When breaking them in to drive they were put to and set off along the road and driven a circuit round through the town and back past the farm, about 5 miles. If they still had no brakes or steering they would carry on and do the circuit again. Not a chance of doing anything like that nowadays.

 

[ycbm]

I put chains on a horse with wobblers to improve proprioception, under physio and vet instruction.
.

 

[Smogul]

Same here, except this was my chiro vet who recommended it, and she recommended putting over reach boots for short periods on both hinds as part of a rehab process.

The horse accepted the boots fine, and the improvement in the jump in her canter when wearing them was astonishing. It improved her proprioception (knowing where her legs were). It's definitely a case of 'a little is more', though. I was only to put them on for a short time, a few minutes.

I was also advised by physio to use chain or over-reach boot for same reason, either when working horse or grazing in hand. Recommended to do it a couple of times a week, for about 10 minutes each time. Still tend to do it once a week. Pony had no issue whatsoever with the chain.

 

[Smogul]

I hate people

Why? Could be perfectly good reason for it.

 

[JBM]

Why? Could be perfectly good reason for it.

because I think there are so many better options than throwing metal on their feet to make them think by causing pain

 

[blitznbobs]

because I think there are so many better options than throwing metal on their feet to make them think by causing pain

They dont necessarily cause pain though - i think certainly in the physio case its more like wearing a slightly heavy bracelet - which i have definitely done and it definitely didnt hurt.

 

[JBM]

They dont necessarily cause pain though - i think certainly in the physio case its more like wearing a slightly heavy bracelet - which i have definitely done and it definitely didnt hurt.

I mean it’s completely fine to agree to disagree but personally I feel there are much better ways to add weight to make horses aware of their legs than loose metal chains that smack against their joints while they work

 

[scruffyponies]

I believe that strings of lignum vitae beads were used as weights or 'rattlers' in the past to encourage leg action. Have seen a few go through the Reading auction from time to time.
I can well imagine that chains or weights could hurt if left on, tight, heavy etc, but if used carefully I don't think there's any reason for the pearl clutching.
I don't think the comparison with soring is fair. Hackneys are bearing weight on all four legs evenly, showing off a natural (for them) gait not shifting weight away from any pain or discomfort when they lift their legs.

Some horses are encouraged to 'flash' by something that rattles as they go along, just as mine like the 'clop' as you trot them on a wet road.

 

[stangs]

An old & bold study - worth taking it with a big pinch of salt as they've not taken any behavioural data - but still interesting:

The use of 2, 4 and 6 ounce chains in Tennessee Walking Horses, without using any other chemical or mechanical technique to induce inflammation. Use of 2, 4 and 6 oz. chains did not cause any detectable pain, tissue damage. Thermographic and pressure evaluation did not change significantly. Thus, it was concluded that the use of 2, 4 and 6 oz. chains for a duration of 2to 3 weeks did not produce any harmful effects to the horses’ legs, with exception to some loss of hair from 6 oz. chains in the pastern areas.