Who uses training aids at home to back up/help with schooling, if so what do you use?

[lisa_lou]

Just wondering if gadgets are used alot or if it all comes from persistance. Dont seem to be getting anywhere with my mare. Have a lesson once a month cos thats all i can afford but not seeing any improvement on topline build up.

 

[diggerbez]

i use draw reins sometimes - but for control purposes rather than outline purposes. other than that just side reins or a bungee for lungeing

 

[Mildred]

I use a Pessoa. I understand from reading various posts on here that this is not a popular gadget and by using it I am subjecting my horse to a mild form of torture.

That said, it has really improved her topline and subsequent way of going.

 

[ngrace]

If your looking for topline and 'correct' outline an equi ami twice a week can be good, but hacking in a good working outline aswell as a few schooling sessions a week will probably do the same, as long as they are working correctly in the first place so that they use and build the right muscles (which obviously gets easier when they actually have those muscles developed)

Of course if you want to go classical, then aids are a big no~!

 

[Janette]

I used a Harbridge with great sucess. I know it was sucessful because I don't need it now.

If I lunge, I use balancing side reins instead of normal side reins. They are long lengths of elastic which go 'girthstrap - bit ring - girth'. to form a triangle.
Side reins have no effect on Star, whereas with the BSR, she can travel up and down them, no restrictions, but is 'guided' into working over her back and using her back end.

 

[Toffee44]

I use draw reins but they are clipped onto the bit and up through her legs.


I use them 5-10 minutes max per a rein when lunging.


There is a thread in CR about it.

 

[NicoleS_007]

I lunged my ex racer in draw reins, I found it worked really well for building topline accompanied with proper schooling

 

[Holly Hocks]

I don't use training aids as I prefer the slow, steady approach and had some classical lessons for a while, so tend to stick to that approach. I did try a harbridge on my mare once - it was awful, and not something I want to try again.
However saying that, I don't think they're a no-no for everyone. I think it's a case of finding which one works for your individual horse. But there is a lot to be said for time and patience!

 

[Megibo]

A few years ago I borrowed an Abbot Davies to school my mare a couple times a week. I schooled her without it too and there was a noted difference in her way of going. Her canter became much more balanced. However I only used it attached to the girth when ridden not the tail as that seemed strange...

Once my mare's fit i'd love to buy one for myself and use it again a couple times a week.
Only thing with that was that you need a lot of leg to push them into it but other than that I really liked it.

 

[martlin]

I lunge in a chambon, sometimes in de gogue or in a ''body wrap''. For ridden rarely anything, but if I need to, I use draw reins

 

[Billykid]

I lunge in loose side reins, so not to restrict him (he can still happily stick his head up in the air!) but riding i use nothing

 

[Fuzznugget]

Don't really use anything while riding, but do use the Kavalkade HO for lunging.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I'm a Draw Rein girl. Correctly used they are fab. You can pick them up and drop them as you see fit in a schooling session - they might be there but they don't have to be used sort of thing.

 

[Enfys]

Bungee