Using a Chafney Bit?

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katymay

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chatting to a lady in the village the other day who used to do in hand showing, I mentioned that I was hoping to take Harry to a few shows and do some in hand showing as he is very inexperienced. The last show I took him to he threw a major wobbly, bucking and rearing (bronco style) and I only just manged to hold onto him, this was just before a lead rein class, luckily child was not on board at that moment and I pulled out of the class, she mentioned that she used a Chafney on hers in the In-hand to gain more control of her young horses, she has given me hers to use, I am concerned about this becuase
A - I have never used one and it looks quite lethal in the wrong hands
B - should I just continue to take him to shows and not enter him until he becomes accustomed to it and settles?

he will be travelling with his new companion a little shetland that I am hoping to enter lead rein classes with (child on board) so the helper could just hold him in his Dually for a bit more controll.
I have to say he is excellent to lead at home apart from the odd stick his feet in stubborness but pull and relese works, and I just use a normal headcoller on him at home, he listens to voice commands etc, but at shows he is prone to excited or fearful outbursts of which a normal headcoller doesnt offer much protection.
would appreciate tips from anyone who has used them successfully or ideas for other things if you are Anti them,
thanks
kate
 
I wouldn't use a Chiffney except in very very extreme circumstances, they're a pretty horrendous piece of kit. Can you take him to some very small shows maybe to build up, and also perhaps take him to friend's yards and things too to get him used to seeing other horses? As he sounds like he's not generally naughty he's obviously just overwhelmed, so, while he needs to learn to behave, i would think that putting something painful like a chiffney on will just stress him out further. You could also perhaps try a calmer???

Agree not to enter him in a class unless he is settled. You can always play it by ear on the day!
 
You are correct, a Chifney is lethal in the wrong hands. I'm amazed that a judge would allow one in a showing class.

Invest in a Richard Maxwell halter. Teach Harry to respect you and listen to you.

If you take his companion with you to shows, he is likely to be even more naughty.
 
Morgan123 said:
I wouldn't use a Chiffney except in very very extreme circumstances, they're a pretty horrendous piece of kit. Can you take him to some very small shows maybe to build up, and also perhaps take him to friend's yards and things too to get him used to seeing other horses? As he sounds like he's not generally naughty he's obviously just overwhelmed, so, while he needs to learn to behave, i would think that putting something painful like a chiffney on will just stress him out further. You could also perhaps try a calmer???

Agree not to enter him in a class unless he is settled. You can always play it by ear on the day!
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I think you are right, we are going to a small show hopefully at the end of July so will take him without the pressure of competing him (im sure my nerves dont help him) then I can use the lunge line and move out of the way of any outbursts :), I have brough Naff instant calmers in readyness!, he has been hunted in his previous home and was well behaved so didnt expect him to react like this at a show, but I guess lots of brightly coloured jumps and loud speakers were a bit too much for him,
thanks
kate
 
elderlycoupleindevon said:
You are correct, a Chifney is lethal in the wrong hands. I'm amazed that a judge would allow one in a showing class.

Invest in a Richard Maxwell halter. Teach Harry to respect you and listen to you.

If you take his companion with you to shows, he is likely to be even more naughty.
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That was my thoughts, I couldnt imagine for one minute a judge would place us with a lethal bit in as showing is about control as much as turnout surely?

Harry does respect me and I have done an awful lot of groundwork with him, he has changed from not letting me pick his feet up and kicking them out of my hand to picking up on command, but like any child, well behaved and respectful or not, they are still prone to outbursts!
kate
 
I'm not anti them but I wouldn't use one in your case. Firstly because to me they are either a safety gadget, which isn't necessary for a small pony, however naughty. Or to stop extreme bad manners quickly, yours just sounds over excited or stressed not just ignorant. And secondly, chifneys should only be used when you have been taught how to, incorrectly used they are lethal. I would take him with the companion but keep him on the outskirts so he can see it all but can't cause any damage & less likely to get upset/excited by it all. And I would try & get him out & about more too, pony club, hiring the arena at a busy yard etc too.
When he is settled enough for a class I would stick with in hand at first.
But from what I remember from your other posts I would set yourself time limits with this pony. What you don't want is a pony that is outgrown before its suitable, do you realistically see it being a first pony type any time soon? That doesn't mean writing him off, he sounds like fun for an experienced older child. But not like a first pony.
 
littlelegs said:
I'm not anti them but I wouldn't use one in your case. Firstly because to me they are either a safety gadget, which isn't necessary for a small pony, however naughty. Or to stop extreme bad manners quickly, yours just sounds over excited or stressed not just ignorant. And secondly, chifneys should only be used when you have been taught how to, incorrectly used they are lethal. I would take him with the companion but keep him on the outskirts so he can see it all but can't cause any damage & less likely to get upset/excited by it all. And I would try & get him out & about more too, pony club, hiring the arena at a busy yard etc too.
When he is settled enough for a class I would stick with in hand at first.
But from what I remember from your other posts I would set yourself time limits with this pony. What you don't want is a pony that is outgrown before its suitable, do you realistically see it being a first pony type any time soon? That doesn't mean writing him off, he sounds like fun for an experienced older child. But not like a first pony.
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really appreciate reply, we are joining the Pony club just to get him out and about, but my youngest who is four will be riding the shetland, and Harry will be gaining experience, I dont think he would ever be a suitable first pony type unless Noah becomes super confident anytime soon but we have a few years to work on him, im happy to do in hand as it gives me something to do so if him and Noah fail to click I can sell him on with more experience, and who knows, someone at pony club may take him under their wing until Noah is ready, BUT, im sensible, if its just not going to work he will be sold on as I dont want him wasted, its gutting because I see so much potential and would love to see what he can do with a confident rider :(
kate
 
I've always used Chiffneys on Stallions and naughty leaders.

I don't think they're too lethal to use, as long as you don't go ahead and start hauling at their mouths. A loose but 'ready' contact on the rope / chain, and normally after the first time they try and get away from you and they realise it's not the pleasantest thing, they don't do it again and behave.

Never had a horse turn sore or 'mouthy' after using one and I've used them from well before my teenage years.


edit - where are you Kate?
 
Jenni_ said:
I've always used Chiffneys on Stallions and naughty leaders.

I don't think they're too lethal to use, as long as you don't go ahead and start hauling at their mouths. A loose but 'ready' contact on the rope / chain, and normally after the first time they try and get away from you and they realise it's not the pleasantest thing, they don't do it again and behave.

Never had a horse turn sore or 'mouthy' after using one and I've used them from well before my teenage years.


edit - where are you Kate?
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Im in Somerset Jenni
 
Malaga in his Mad Malaga days used to behave like that and throw lovely tantrums.....just a rope halter used correctly and plenty of outings with people who don't throw hysterics if an equine goes nuts ;) helped us both :D
 
Sounds like you are on the right track wth the Dually and he will listen and cooperate at home where there are no major distractions.

Your next task is to get him to the same level of listening & cooperation at a show where there are lots of distractions! You've got a good foundation - just get to plenty of shows & keep using the same principles, you'll get there.
 
eatmoremincepies said:
Sounds like you are on the right track wth the Dually and he will listen and cooperate at home where there are no major distractions.

Your next task is to get him to the same level of listening & cooperation at a show where there are lots of distractions! You've got a good foundation - just get to plenty of shows & keep using the same principles, you'll get there.
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Thank you, you are so right, I know we can overcome this and I know he is going to make a wonderful pony, if not for the boys but for me to show in hand, I have overcome so many major hurdles with him so far and have fast learnt that some issues are not necessarily his but lack of experience on my part and im quite proud of what we have achieved so far. I am hoping that my next post will be a positive one proudly displaying the rosette we have won (I can live in hope!) :)
 
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