What are your most hated pieces of equipment?

Pelham roundings!
Refuse to make them or sell them.
Hate flash lower straps fitted the wrong way round so the end of the strap is facing forwards when it should be facing backwards and even worse when the rider tucks it into the flash loop on the noseband to "tidy it up"!
It stretches the flash loop and helps break it.
Incorrectly fitted prince of wales spurs, cheek pieces on bridles too long so the buckle is right on the top hole (should be level with the eye), nosebands too low, too high, too tight!
Numnahs and saddlecloths pressing on withers, poly pads and any very thick numnah or cloth to help make a ill fitting saddle fit.
 
I'm starting to agree with measfen about saddlecloths, but that's because I can't find one that doesn't slip... Regardless of how much I pull them up into the gullet and secure them with straps. Argh!
Kx
 
Bratty riders and their mothers.

Bling, hate it with a passion.

Same goes for saddlecloths, horrid things.

Seconded,

Did anyone look in the trade stand at Hartpury at the winter champs in the main arena, first stand. Had I wanted to - I didn't I hasten to add - I could have tacked my horse up in a diamonte sparkly bridle with a sparkle covered saddle square. He could have over reach boots with sparkles and a headcollar. For me, well maybe not actually, because they didn't go above a size 0, I could have gloves that dazzle, boots that blind, stirrup leathers that glimmer, a stock pin that could be used in a murder, a schooling whip with diamonds.............there is more but I am bored now.

The only thing that should be on a horses back under his saddle is real sheepskin, discreetly cut to the shape of the saddle.
 
HATE to see poor horses with their nosebands so tight the flesh (and there's not much of it on a horse's face) BULGES on either side of the noseband. I've seen/felt horses' noses which have permanent grooves from an over-tight noseband. Don't like running martingales either.
 
I must confess to having bought her a bling v shaped brow band to show off her unusual chestnut star, though:oAnd to liking brightly coloured saddlecloths...
 
Anyone attempting to use anything like that on my Hippo will get to see what it feels like in their mouth:mad:

Apologies to all who have horses called Rhino and Hippo ! no body has told me what the bits are yet or what they are used or in my view, abused on.
 
For some reason, I have recently noticed an influx of various chain mouth curb bits for sale. These bits are very harsh and apply pressure everywhere; bars, lips, and tongue, not to mention that the chain is fairly coarse and has the possibility of really tearing a horse’s mouth up. I would not advise the use of these bits for anyone. They are offered in either full chain, or ported chain. Either way, they also have the same collapse issue as the single and double jointed bits.


Twisted bits: In my opinion, twisted bits (of the snaffle variety) should be reserved for only the best of horsemen to use for only a very limited amount of time on a horse that is, quite literally, an outlaw. However, twisted bits and shanks should never be combined. These bits are incredibly harsh on the mouth and I cannot think of one legitimate reason for anyone to ever use one of these.
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Think it was one of these two types...sorry pictures won't paste! Excellent article on bits, by Smrobs.
 
I could be wrong but I'm sure years ago I remember seeing the second one or something similar & being told it was some kind of anti-rearing or anti-bolting bit or both, can't remember which & wasn't on a horse, just something I saw & asked about. First one I'd guess western but haven't really got a clue.
 
HATE to see poor horses with their nosebands so tight the flesh (and there's not much of it on a horse's face) BULGES on either side of the noseband. I've seen/felt horses' noses which have permanent grooves from an over-tight noseband. Don't like running martingales either.

That's why Ned looks like this...
Note: I didn't put that drop on him and he no longer has it.

Nose.jpg
 
Poor Ned! Hate badly fitting tack - Hippo's old bridle hadn't been checked for size in five years...way too tight round her ears! Hence her shiny new one with the bling...
 
I could be wrong but I'm sure years ago I remember seeing the second one or something similar & being told it was some kind of anti-rearing or anti-bolting bit or both, can't remember which & wasn't on a horse, just something I saw & asked about. First one I'd guess western but haven't really got a clue.

I would imagine the bit would cause a rearing bolting session, instruments of torture.
 
I sometimes post that chainsaw bit in response to the 'its not the bit its the hands on the reins' comments. Thats not something Id want in a horses mouth, with anybody's hands on the reins.
 
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