The use of gadgets - send us your views

[HORSE Mag]

What do you think about the use of gadgets and training aids such as draw reins, Market Harborough etc? Vote in our poll, and send your comments to lisa_reich@ipcmedia.com.

If we use your comments in the next issue of Horse, you'll win a bag of feed treats.

The poll can be found on our homepage:

www.horsemagazine.co.uk

(If the poll isn't about gadgets, press vote now and the new poll will appear)

Thanks

 

[eoe]

Gadgets are okay if they are used correctly.

Drawreins are okay if they are ridden in with enough leg and the horses chin is not on its chest and are used with a snaffle and nothing else!

DeGouge and Abbot Davies are good for teaching horses not to lean on your hands.

I find the Pessoa an invaluable lunging aid especially for horses who tend to find it easier to work on the forehand whilst being lunged, but this should never be used for more than 15 -20 minutes in any one session and certainly not too tightly or too often.

The thing with gadgets is that people think they are just going to put the problem right, they are there to help solve the problem but you must ride correctly with enough leg to teach your horse how to go correctly not rely on the relevant ridden gadget.

You see too many people these days putting draw reins and such gadgets on too tight and with unsuitable bits such as gags and pelhams.

 

[hussar]

I think the poll is too black-and-white. Some - possibly most - gadgets are fine when used correctly and not as a substitute for the proper aids. And how could a ban possibly be policed when many people will already have the gadgets in their tackrooms and would probably be prepared to lend them to friends etc?

 

[Onyxia]

Sure we used to call them training aids

Agree with above,used properly(which means as an aid to training and not a quick fix to a problem) they all have their place.