Arizahn
Well-Known Member
Faracat, I'm going to have nightmares...
What are your most hated pieces of equipment?
- Thread starter Charlie Bucket
- Start date
spotty_pony
...
Draw reins (although I agree that they can be useful if used correctly) but I have seen far to many horses who are now mentally stressed when ridden/very overbent as a result of being tied down with draw reins.
I also hate people who use any type of equipment which is used ' just because it looks nice' and not for any particular reason or people who misuse equipment. Anything can be potentially dangerous and lethal in the wrong hands!!
I also hate people who use any type of equipment which is used ' just because it looks nice' and not for any particular reason or people who misuse equipment. Anything can be potentially dangerous and lethal in the wrong hands!!
NativePonyLover
Well-Known Member
I have no problem with people kitting themselves or their horses out in bling or matchy matchy or with sheepskin or whatever else if it is just fashion and personal taste and has no impact on the horse. I have a bling diamante schooling whip I actually use as for inhand work - far nicer looking and cheaper than a carrot stick! If I didn't have a native pony, I fear he would be in far more bling! I am also on the lookout for a lime green saddlecloth as I think it will look rather fetching on my bay and match his halter - I am sure that will disgust some people ;D
I reserve my dislike of equipment for things that impact the horse.
I reserve my dislike of equipment for things that impact the horse.
Batgirl
Well-Known Member
Can I ask why the buckle should be level with the eye? I wouldn't have thought it would make much difference? (Genuinely interested)
Erzie
Well-Known Member
I hated my stirrup once...
... when it broke!
To be serious, I've been developping an aversion for that sort of nose band (don't know the english word... in France we call them "croisée" or "mexicaine")
I dislike them because they have a stong action and an awfull lot of people uses them only because they think they look nice... It would'nt bother me if they were an innocent piece of tack but I don't think they are.
(correct me if my english is incorrect please)
... when it broke!
To be serious, I've been developping an aversion for that sort of nose band (don't know the english word... in France we call them "croisée" or "mexicaine")
I dislike them because they have a stong action and an awfull lot of people uses them only because they think they look nice... It would'nt bother me if they were an innocent piece of tack but I don't think they are.
(correct me if my english is incorrect please)
ClassicG&T
Well-Known Member
I hated my stirrup once...
... when it broke!
To be serious, I've been developping an aversion for that sort of nose band (don't know the english word... in France we call them "croisée" or "mexicaine")
I dislike them because they have a stong action and an awfull lot of people uses them only because they think they look nice... It would'nt bother me if they were an innocent piece of tack but I don't think they are.
(correct me if my english is incorrect please)
I think that kind of nose band is a Grackle? Could be wrong though, i just use nose band and flash
rhino
Well-Known Member
We call them mexican grackles so not much difference. I must admit I actually quite like them, and although the vast majority I ride are nosebandless or in a loose cavesson, I have no hesitation to put a grackle on if I think it is needed. It's probably the closest thing to a 'gadget' that I own
Erzie
Well-Known Member
In France it's very popular... 
Archie73
Well-Known Member
The node and is called a grackle. Thier is also a version called a high ring Mexican grackle but the one in the picture looks sort of fitted to be between the two types to me.
Your English is better then my French 😄
Your English is better then my French 😄
Erzie
Well-Known Member
There's a huge difference between using something because you know how it works and you think you need it, and using the same thing regardless its action only because you think it looks nice.
welshstar
Well-Known Member
I must be the worlds worst owner!
I ride in spurs and my horse wears a grackle and martingale. We use saddlecloths and sparkly browbands. I like to buy him stuff that looks nice. I use a pelham in the showring because it looks the part.
On my other horses, I've used a stronger bit and spurs, roundings and lovely sparkly, colourful browbands and saddlecloths!
Oh and I have/use my monty roberts style halter.
Has anybody ever said anything? no. Has any of my instructors or instructors on clinics said anything? no. are my horses happy? yes, I think so. I think it just shows that people have their reasoning for what they use on their horse and to be honest, there is worse cruelty in the world than a bit of bling and spurs etc!
I ride in spurs and my horse wears a grackle and martingale. We use saddlecloths and sparkly browbands. I like to buy him stuff that looks nice. I use a pelham in the showring because it looks the part.
On my other horses, I've used a stronger bit and spurs, roundings and lovely sparkly, colourful browbands and saddlecloths!
Oh and I have/use my monty roberts style halter.
Has anybody ever said anything? no. Has any of my instructors or instructors on clinics said anything? no. are my horses happy? yes, I think so. I think it just shows that people have their reasoning for what they use on their horse and to be honest, there is worse cruelty in the world than a bit of bling and spurs etc!
_Rach_
Well-Known Member
I use a grackle. The day she crossed her jaw and bogged off with me was the day she started wearing a grackle!!
Erzie
Well-Known Member
Don't get me wrong, what I dislike is people that uses it without any knowledge of it's action, only because they think it looks nice.
As long as people knows why they use things, I think it's fine because, as said
and I agree with that.
The trouble is that grackles are very fashionnable in France and I've seen a lot of horses and ponies that does'nt need it wearing them for no reason. That's why I dislike them.
But of course it's more a problem of person than a problem of tack. But that could be apply to all the other pieces of tack of the topic.
On the other hand, I, too, like to put nice tack and my horse because I think it looks great. So I'm shallow too.
As long as people knows why they use things, I think it's fine because, as said
and I agree with that.
The trouble is that grackles are very fashionnable in France and I've seen a lot of horses and ponies that does'nt need it wearing them for no reason. That's why I dislike them.
But of course it's more a problem of person than a problem of tack. But that could be apply to all the other pieces of tack of the topic.
On the other hand, I, too, like to put nice tack and my horse because I think it looks great. So I'm shallow too.
Elf On A Shelf
...
I use draw reins upon occassion, not often though and usually only when one of my beasts goes through a pig stubborn stage when they are half fit.
The one thing I absolutely, totally and utterly hate and would LOVE to see destroyed is the Wilkie "Snaffle". It's not a snaffle, it's a gag except the inventor cleverly named it so. It is a vastly abused bit. You see many little kids lead rein and first ridden ponies going round the show ring in them with the reins knotted at a certain length and the kids hands fixed onto the pommel thus the poor pony has no choice but to be forced into an outline. I HATE them! When I found out that my fell pony was being ridden in one by his loaner I went nuts! He is beautifully schooled - they were just following fashion. I would quite happily melt them all down and turn them into teapots! At least they are useful!
The one thing I absolutely, totally and utterly hate and would LOVE to see destroyed is the Wilkie "Snaffle". It's not a snaffle, it's a gag except the inventor cleverly named it so. It is a vastly abused bit. You see many little kids lead rein and first ridden ponies going round the show ring in them with the reins knotted at a certain length and the kids hands fixed onto the pommel thus the poor pony has no choice but to be forced into an outline. I HATE them! When I found out that my fell pony was being ridden in one by his loaner I went nuts! He is beautifully schooled - they were just following fashion. I would quite happily melt them all down and turn them into teapots! At least they are useful!
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
Reading this reminds me of a horse I tried up in Cheshire some years ago.
Advertised as an all rounder and fitting my requirements of riding club, unaff dressage and hunting. He was 8 or 9 yr old ISH type.
He was led out to me wearing a jointed pelham, grackle, running martingale with both reins through the rings, fitted so tightly the reins formed a 'V' shape, plus a very tight standing martingale.
The dealers rider hurtled the horse around the arena on the wrong leg whilst the dealer gushed on about how well schooled it was.
It was a smart looker, so I decided to have a sit on it but asked for all the tack to come off and a snaffle go on. It ploughed a furrow with it's nose for a while but soon lightened up and went quite nicely. Such a shame and I hope it found a nice home.
Advertised as an all rounder and fitting my requirements of riding club, unaff dressage and hunting. He was 8 or 9 yr old ISH type.
He was led out to me wearing a jointed pelham, grackle, running martingale with both reins through the rings, fitted so tightly the reins formed a 'V' shape, plus a very tight standing martingale.
The dealers rider hurtled the horse around the arena on the wrong leg whilst the dealer gushed on about how well schooled it was.
It was a smart looker, so I decided to have a sit on it but asked for all the tack to come off and a snaffle go on. It ploughed a furrow with it's nose for a while but soon lightened up and went quite nicely. Such a shame and I hope it found a nice home.
CalamityJaneMule
Member
Definitely draw reins! They are rarely used for the right reason. To be honest it's often not the equipment it's the person using it :-(
Littlelegs
Well-Known Member
I went to see a £300 pony as a project once, apparently difficult, needing schooling & a stargazer who's ears were always in your face. Absolutely tacked up to the hilt & yanked round by a bad & nervous rider. Rode it on the buckle & subsequently bought it. Visibly relaxed in a French link snaffle, & I discovered what had obviously been a very well schooled pony in the past. Girl who I'd been helping to find a second pony for fell in love & bought it. Didn't need reschooling, just needed its head & mouth leaving alone for long enough to realise it was a permanent change.
indie999
Well-Known Member
Gag and all the strange bits when I went viewing horses my friend had to keep explaining them all to me. Old boy came with flash which was taken off. IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS it was D ring snaffle mostly. Gags were like cruel. However I do remember horses having saddle sores which fortunately I have not come across in years so that is an improvement.
I have the most bizarre plastic mane comb(which looks so fragile). I dont like the hoof picks with the silly brush and sharpish pick. Like good old fashioned ones, with rounded solid edge on them.
I must b getting old! Stick me in the nursing home...as has been!
I have the most bizarre plastic mane comb(which looks so fragile). I dont like the hoof picks with the silly brush and sharpish pick. Like good old fashioned ones, with rounded solid edge on them.
I must b getting old! Stick me in the nursing home...as has been!
debsg
Well-Known Member
Chainsaw bit.
OMFG!!! Agree with Arizahn, will have nightmares over that bit!!
I'm not a lover of bling, or excessive pink (just my personal preference - I'm not particularly 'girly'
) It annoys me that many bridles come with a flash as standard, I'm not a fan of flashes - I think a grackle or a drop are far more effective. Draw reins used badly or used without a pair of ordinary reins are another bugbear.Riding clothing wise (a bit off topic, but related
) I HATE those horrible new 'jacket' things that showjumpers are often seen to be sporting, the stretchy, nylony, vile modern equivalent of a traditional show jacket. Yuck!!Maybe I'm just getting old
Pearlsasinger
Up in the clouds
The carrot stick!
And any kind of ill-fitting tack. Why do people insist on squashing horses into too short brow-bands? And surely if your horse's bit is rubbing its mouth, you can tell that you need a different one, whatever your bl**dy dentist says. I'd change my dentist. (Sorry - private rant!)
And any kind of ill-fitting tack. Why do people insist on squashing horses into too short brow-bands? And surely if your horse's bit is rubbing its mouth, you can tell that you need a different one, whatever your bl**dy dentist says. I'd change my dentist. (Sorry - private rant!)
rhino
Well-Known Member
Riding clothing wise (a bit off topic, but related
Maybe I'm just getting old
How dare they wear something comfortable?!
Seriously, I like the traditional look of some of the riding clothes, but if we want people to understand that it is a sport then I think the technical garments are actually a good idea 
xxMozlarxx
Well-Known Member
Mrs B
Well-Known Member
My most hated bit of equipment is a bolshy haynet when I'm in a hurry.
minkymoo
Well-Known Member
Flashes and too tight nosebands. Simply no need and horrendously cruel IMO. Why do you need to restrict your horses breathing? Check out www.eurodressage.com
minkymoo
Well-Known Member
Actually proper link is
http://www.eurodressage.com/equestr...power-fei-stewards-control-tightness-noseband
http://www.eurodressage.com/equestr...power-fei-stewards-control-tightness-noseband
Batgirl
Well-Known Member
Can anyone tell me why cheek piece buckles should be at eye level as another poster said? I won't be able to sleep without knowing!!
rhino
Well-Known Member
Tradition! Also because if there was an accident and the headstall snapped where it buckled to the cheekpiece you would still have a further hole to do it up on I suppose
Batgirl
Well-Known Member
Thanks Rhino. As long as it is not something for safety etc
Littlelegs
Well-Known Member
Mozlar-lol, that one wasn't actually a proper stargazer by any means. Just a nice forward pony that the rider was scared of & had moved up a piece of a tack at a time till up was the only place its head could go. Girl still has it now.
xxMozlarxx
Well-Known Member
Just made me think of my new (ish) youngster who was being ridden in a tight tight flash with draw reins for jumping
it's taken quite some time for him to believe he's not going to be ridden like that any more, lots of careful persistent schooling and he's now lovely and long and low.. It took time