thought this was interesting
- Thread starter Jennyharvey
- Start date
mja
Well-Known Member
I agree that horses should be free of harsh tack and gadgets and ridden kindly without pain and only worked/competed if healthy.
I only use bits that are mild and comfortable, I do not use gadgets and think too many want quick fixes to win ribbons rather than put the work in with time and patience without the use of gadgets. I think more people should attend bitting clinics and learn about the horse's muscles and skeleton and mouth etc before whacking in fat bits etc and with correct schooling most horses can overcome issues without harsher bits.
So many told me to use draw reins and other such gadgets to achieve correct contact on the bit in outline and I did not instead taking good advice of a trainer for schooling methods which worked just taking a little longer. Others have said oh bute your mare (arthritic knees) and jump away which I refuse to do and have taken time and she is sound on herbs alone and we will stick to dressage and trec comps.
Some gadgets and tack out there is simply lethal in the wrong hands!!
I only use bits that are mild and comfortable, I do not use gadgets and think too many want quick fixes to win ribbons rather than put the work in with time and patience without the use of gadgets. I think more people should attend bitting clinics and learn about the horse's muscles and skeleton and mouth etc before whacking in fat bits etc and with correct schooling most horses can overcome issues without harsher bits.
So many told me to use draw reins and other such gadgets to achieve correct contact on the bit in outline and I did not instead taking good advice of a trainer for schooling methods which worked just taking a little longer. Others have said oh bute your mare (arthritic knees) and jump away which I refuse to do and have taken time and she is sound on herbs alone and we will stick to dressage and trec comps.
Some gadgets and tack out there is simply lethal in the wrong hands!!
indiat
Well-Known Member
I'm not a gadget fan but I don't compete and I don't feel comfortable commenting on professional riders. However, I do feel there are a lot of 'hobby' riders out there who whack a gadget on as a matter of of course. I do think attending clinics is a good idea and I am going to make the effort to educate myself a lot more. I have just bought a youngster and while I am getting professional help with his training, I haven't a clue about different bits etc. I had a school mistress for years who was very happy in a snaffle. My new lad is going to be a whole different ball game and I want to do things right. I am lucky in that I am on a yard and I have an instructor that always put schooling before tack as a solution to a problem.
ETA - Sorry getting off point, edited to say I think the five principles are great and one that every horse owner should have uppermost in their mind.
ETA - Sorry getting off point, edited to say I think the five principles are great and one that every horse owner should have uppermost in their mind.
TinselRider
Well-Known Member
I'm sure Neprov (or whatever his name is) would love to see those sites.
Yes some bits and gadgets can be harsh in the wrong hands etc but as long as they are being used by knowledgable riders and they aren't being abusive with the usage of the bits and gadgets then I see no problem with them. Unfortunatley due to a LOT of idiotic amatuer riders who have NO knowledge of "harsher" bits and gadgets using them as a SHORTCUT for schooling some horses are ruined and need such items untill someone with more knowledge can school them out of it.
and to quote the above
"Some gadgets and tack out there is simply lethal in the wrong hands!! "
ANY gadget or piece of tack can be lethal in the wrong hands....how many riders do you see sawing a horses mouth in a snaffle to get it "on the bit"
Oh and as for the 5 freedoms 99.9999999% of horses at these comps are treated like royalty, nice beds, highest quality forage, clean water etc
sorry rant over
Yes some bits and gadgets can be harsh in the wrong hands etc but as long as they are being used by knowledgable riders and they aren't being abusive with the usage of the bits and gadgets then I see no problem with them. Unfortunatley due to a LOT of idiotic amatuer riders who have NO knowledge of "harsher" bits and gadgets using them as a SHORTCUT for schooling some horses are ruined and need such items untill someone with more knowledge can school them out of it.
and to quote the above
"Some gadgets and tack out there is simply lethal in the wrong hands!! "
ANY gadget or piece of tack can be lethal in the wrong hands....how many riders do you see sawing a horses mouth in a snaffle to get it "on the bit"
Oh and as for the 5 freedoms 99.9999999% of horses at these comps are treated like royalty, nice beds, highest quality forage, clean water etc
sorry rant over
indiat
Well-Known Member
Yep, just what I was trying to say, only much, much better (can you believe I write for a living?!).