Training Aids

Normally I'm a little anti-training aids, but I think I need a little help! I think conventional training methods are not working as well as hoped, and I want to give him an idea of what I'm after. Can anyone offer any opinions, good or bad, on the different types of training aid available nowadays? I was thinking of perhaps a harbridge or a market harborough.
 
Ridden. I want something that will allow me to work him in a longer, lower outline, as at the moment hes just tense and fighting (back, teeth, saddle = fine), so I need something that will allow him to build up the correct muscles so its easier to ask him without the aid.
 
Well i wouldnt go for a market harborough they tend not to be so giving.

Dependant if you rather mouth or poll pressure theharbridge or bungee might be your best bet. These are more gentle reminders than fixed aids.

Do you do much lunge work?
 
I have used a bungee and then my instructor gave me a homemade training aid that was made using a bungee and some clips attaching onto some market harborough reins (v similar to a harbridge).

I like training aids like the bungee that have a give in them so the horse can't lean and rush around on the forehand. Hehe and to further the last post bungees are cheap too!
 
Might sound daft but have you tried him/her in a standard running martingale?

We were starting to despaire with his higness Mr Flip top head and market harborough and draw reins were mentioned, then duh! What about a running martingale and we are away.

Just a thought.

Sometimes you do have to resort to something and I think as long as you are very consious of it and try to only use it for perhaps a handful of sessions in total , you can't do too much damage.

That said knowing how good a rider you are.

Good luck.
 
Abbot Davis excellent results, works when you take a contact, endorsed by malcom pyhrah (sp)........... who i hear you ask lol
 
Harbridge's are really good - can be used both lungeing and ridden. Star used to toss her head through transitions and go around with it in the air. It stopped her taking the easy way out and insisted that she use herself correctly. I only ever needed it 2-3 times. Mine has elastic inserts so it isn't that nasty, and it's a self rewarding thing.

De Gogues and Chambon's didn't work for us at all as she just fought against them - no elastic. She likes elastic
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Ditto the Abbot Davies balancing reins. I've found the system works very well on my mare. Much less harsh than a market harborough or draw reins but still needs fairly 'quiet' hands. The only thing is I've borrowed mine and I don't know if it's still possible to get them (If anyone does know where to get some please let me know) There is a shop on ebay selling a copy (Ann Rees is the firm I think?) which appear to be the same.
 
Lunge in a Pessoa 2-3 times a week and ride in a De Gogue, this is the ridden version of a Chambon which teaches them to be forward in a long low outline but not on the forehand, however, training aids are only as good or bad as the rider so you have to recognise when the horse is softening and giving to you so that you reward him immediately. It is also important that you keep your horse moving forward at a good pace because if you allow him to travel slowly he will be totally on the forehand and not working over his topline from his back end so he will just build up the shoulder and under neck muscle even more then he will be very heavy in your hand to ride. Hope this helps.
 
i would try micheal whitikars lungy bungy you can ride long rein and lunge them in it it can be used has side reins or even be attached through the front legs to the girth and it is only 12 pounds
 
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