What is the one gadget you couldnt live without?

only_me

only_me

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I know, i know, you shouldnt need a gadget if you train your horse perfectly
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but since none of us are 100% perfect I am guessing there is one "wonder" gadget that we all use
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So which gadget is your most used one, and/or couldnt live without?

btw, I count a martingale as a gadget as it has an affect on a horse which is not produced by the rider
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I'm gonna get slated for this but here goes.........

mine is a combo........ a d-ring snaffle, a grackle and a pair of drawreins....... I find it works wonders.

All of mine are worked in this at home and then changed to their respective bits of kit for the ring........

And it means only one bridle a day to clean
 
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like long lineing?
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yes sometimes.

i work them out in the fields, on circles, straight lines etc.

some are positioned long and low, some higher and more advanced; i just find there are so many variables and you can work through 99% of issues just with the lines.
 
Spurs? Other than that we don't use anything- no martingales and cavesson nosebands all round. The strongest bit we use nowadays is a waterford snaffle (only on one horse, for XC and hacking).

We used to use other stuff, although not routinely, but we've reshaped our ideas a lot in the past year or so about training and have happily tossed the lot!
 
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but since none of us are 100% perfect

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Oi! Speak for yourself
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I find the term 'gadget' a bit vague. I mean... is a flash a gadget? HOWEVER, for the purpose of your post, I personally really really like my de gogue. Sadly some tw*t at the yard cut the clips off (I'm pretty sure I know who it was
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) rendering it useless
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Not sure if it counts as I dont ride in it but the main thing I use every single day is a chifney. It makes leading Bruno in from the field a stress free easy job which it certainly is not with only a head collar on.
 
can't say I use gadgets really....pessoa is nice to lunge with, but have to make sure Z doesn't do his trick of "I'm working but oh my I am just an inch behind the verticle teehee aren't I naughty"
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Can't stand martingales personally as I don't get any feeling in them and heard a horrible horror story from someone I used to work for and it stuck in my head

Have used draw reins on a horse that needed them as it had a bit *cough* of an attitude problem,however only used when needed and never ever ever too tight, god I hate that.

grakles - love
drops - love

erm what is being defined as a "gadget" on this thread?
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weight boots ooo yes used them on a nag who was a bit blase about the ol coloured poles and my did it make a difference, and I worked for someone who used them in the warm up for SJ and then took them off, bloody lazy horse and he turned out have some fabulous results (this was a horse who needed two sticks and big spurs in the school....!)

however I regularly school minus any noseband as what's the point?
 
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I know, i know, you shouldnt need a gadget if you train your horse perfectly
tongue.gif
but since none of us are 100% perfect I am guessing there is one "wonder" gadget that we all use
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

I have to disagree with this a bit I'm afraid.
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I find there is a great snobbery? is that the right word? or maybe strength of emotion is a better phrase to use? anyhoo people seem to react very strongly to the use of gadgets to train horses this is quite an odd stance to take I think. In effect a bridle and saddle are gadgets, a different type of bit/martingale/noseband etc to me is also a type of gadget just the same as a chambon, pessoa, abbot davis. I think if people put aside the emotional reaction to 'gadgets' usually fueled by the anger/upset felt when they are used wrongly then you can see 'gadgets' as the useful aids they can be. Used appropriately in moderation and not relied on or abused they can work absolute wonders. I think we should be open to new training methods and evaluate each training method to see if it will help or hinder our progress. I have changed my mindset alot in the past few years about how to produce an event horse I used to be very purist and avoid any new fandangled contraptions but I realised I was just closing down my options.

Gadgets should be explained, people taught how to use them correctly by professionals with lessons/roadshows in the correct use of various training aids then they would not be so regularly misused and people would be able to make an informed decision on what will/will not help rather than be won over by clever advertising, and left to DIY use.

Sorry bit of a ramble but I think it's a valid point, sorry to hijack post!
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tbh, i could probably LIVE without all my 'gadgets' (i interpret gadgets as martingales, flashes aswell as draw reins and pessoas)

BUT, i would LIKE to always have my martingales really
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xxx
 
Mine would have to be a martingale... but a fab gadget seems to be the (new?) weighted fetlock boots. Ive seen a horse jump, then put them on the horse and see how it compares!
 
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