Training aids...do you or don't you?

[DragonSlayer]

I have long been an advocate of 'Free-schooling'...that is, as well as not using a lunge-line, my horses don't have their heads restricted in anyway....when ridden, they are asked THEN to work in outines blah blah blah....but when free-schooling, I like to think they are able to fully-flex all their muscles in the way nature intended...

Obviously, some of my peers think I don't know what the heck I'm talking about, but let me say this...

I've NEVER had a back issue with any horse. In fact, I've never had ANY sort of muscular/skeletal issue with any horse....

Is there something in the way I work my horses then?

Are we sometimes looking too much for 'perfection'.....?

A friend today bought a Pessoa-thingy. Recently she has had the backman several times, saddler....blah blah blah....and is now deciding to use yet ANOTHER aid, as she thinks this might help....

Now, I'm not disputing anything, if it works, it works, but I've seen too often horses with 'issues' that have every gadget under the sun hanging up in the tack room....

No, I don't do 'Natural' with no bits, barefoot etc etc etc....but is it just a coincidence, or IS there something in it....?

 

[wellsat]

My thinking is that for the 23 hours a day when they are running around in the field they are using their muscles as nature intended. If I'm lunging then I'm doing it to help them build up the muscles that they need to carry me under saddle so i want them to use thmselves in a particular way.

 

[3DE]

I say the proof of the pudding is in the eating - if I am deciding to follow someone's advice I'll look at pics of their horses to see how they are moving and decide from there

 

[ThePony]

I say the proof of the pudding is in the eating - if I am deciding to follow someone's advice I'll look at pics of their horses to see how they are moving and decide from there

A v good point. Everyone on my yard will advocate their feeding and work - a look at their horse is enough to let you know whether that is something you fancy following or now!

Many on my yard have every gadget under the sun, a very oddly muscled horse, complete with a range of 'issues'!

My mare is in a french link and caversson, when I 'lunge' it is with nothing on, she is also barefoot and lives out when it isn't frozen. In my opinion she is super healthy, level headed and happy. She works beautifully when given enough time to warm up and slowly start working correctly and comes into a lovely natural outline. Hacks brilliantly, does a lovely dressage test and shows a smashing pop. No back/leg/head etc issues! However, many on the yard are given to thinking that this is because she is of rather common breeding (a grand ISH!) and simply not as snazzy as their comp types who spend much of their time off their heads!

At the end of the day I read and research alot to try and do the absolute best by my mare. I obviously feel I am, but them so does everyone else I imagine!