Would a “gadget” help and if so what

[poiuytrewq]

I am walking a horse in hand every day. He is ideally supposed to keeping his head fairly low to help strengthen him up as he’s weak and wonky.
This is going well and he’s improved but does tend to giraffe at things.
So I’d like to encourage long and low without holding him in place.
I could long rein but he really needs someone at his head I feel on the roads and it’s too slippery round the fields just yet.
Any suggestions on something that may just encourage a better way of going whilst we are doing this. He lacks top line and his back imo looks weak.
He won’t be lunged in it, nor will anything be fitted to restrict him, he’s literally walking straight lines in hand.

 

[Equi]

I use a bungie on advise from instructor and physio as my lad always has his head high and really needed to lower it for his rehab. It’s definitely helped and in walk he is 90% of the time lower and engaged. Slowly slowly starting to work a little in trot and I’ve found it helps him balance a lot better so it’s helping his straightness too.

 

[GypsGal1718]

Ok in my opinion I would never use a gadget that ‘encourages’ them down as them trying to get away from it makes improper muscle development a lot of the time, I would long rein and have someone leading to if you can if it is too slippery on his own.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

I clicker trained mine to lower her head on the lunge. You could teach yours to to touch a target (I've used a long wooden cooking spoon before) with his nose and then keep the target down low in front of him when hand walking. Don't forget the rewards.

 

[greenbean10]

I’d use a bungee or german string and an exercise bandage around his bum

 

[Goldenstar]

Yes you could use a bungee walking like a giraffe does more harm than good.
I would put a loop made of a leather boot lace round the girth at first it will break in an emergency.
You could also use low long side reins in that’s where I might start .
I am not a great fan of using poll pressure

 

[Kaylum]

Big thick sheepskin nose band cover. They lower their head to see what's in front of them.

 

[LEC]

I do like a lunging aid - no pressure and nice and elastic so doesn’t pull on mouth but will help in giraffe moments.

Waldhausen Lunging Aid | Old Mill Saddlery

Waldhausen Lunging Aid boasts sturdy workmanship, and comes in a range of sizes. A ring holds the rope between the legs. Pony: 2,70m to 3,20m Cob: 3,20m to 3,90m Full: 3,60m to 4,30m £25.95.Free UK & Ireland Delivery on orders over £100*

www.oldmillsaddlery.com

 

[Patterdale]

Loose bungee or harbridge

 

[Goldenstar]

I do like a lunging aid - no pressure and nice and elastic so doesn’t pull on mouth but will help in giraffe moments.

Waldhausen Lunging Aid | Old Mill Saddlery

Waldhausen Lunging Aid boasts sturdy workmanship, and comes in a range of sizes. A ring holds the rope between the legs. Pony: 2,70m to 3,20m Cob: 3,20m to 3,90m Full: 3,60m to 4,30m £25.95.Free UK & Ireland Delivery on orders over £100*

www.oldmillsaddlery.com

I use have used these for lunging they are not the best imo for walking out they tend to get the horses moving their necks from side to side if they have a big walk and that counterproductive they can also be very scary it the horse explodes and puts the head up it’s hard to get them off.

 

[I'm Dun]

Ok in my opinion I would never use a gadget that ‘encourages’ them down as them trying to get away from it makes improper muscle development a lot of the time, I would long rein and have someone leading to if you can if it is too slippery on his own.

so what would you do in this situation?

 

[I'm Dun]

I'd get one of those bungee things for round his bum and maybe a loose set of side reins if he was actively hollowing and flinging his head around.

 

[DiNozzo]

so what would you do in this situation?

She says... She would long rein with someone at his head.

 

[I'm Dun]

She says... She would long rein with someone at his head.

Which has already been discounted as an option though and wasn't the question.

 

[Tiddlypom]

The Equiami is good for this.

It doesn’t tie the head down, but it encourages the horse to lower the head. It is fine to use in walk as the sliding loop allows ‘give’.

I always use it loosely.

 

[ihatework]

I’d use a gadget in this situation.
What I would use would depend a little on how the horse responded/yielded to the different options. I’d tend to avoid poll pressure though.

I think my first port of call would be an elasticated harbridge. Then I’d probably try the front part of an equi-ami which is an improved version of Vienna reins.

As loose as you can get away with. Any hint of bracing against will need a rethink

 

[Rowreach]

Like most bits of kit, so long as something is used to prevent the unwanted thing rather than force the wanted thing, I’ve no problem with it. I often use a loose bungee for long reining and I clip the ends up to the Ds on the saddle or fairly high in the roller so that if the horse does want to take a contact down it’s more like a rein. I’d never put it to the girth because if it’s loose enough not to pull the head down then it’s dangerous and they might get a leg over it, and if it’s tight enough to be safe then it’s already putting pressure on the poll.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Thanks everyone, will go through all suggestions and have a look.
I think almost all he needs is a little contact but more giving than side reins so he can look up if he wants too, but will then go “ah it’s a car” and lower again.
He’s very obliging, he won’t argue it or brace against it, it’s just that he’s a bit nosey and I think really quite enjoining being out and about and seeing new things. I keep having to pull his head back down into the correct position, I’m not after force I just wondered if it would be helpful.
I quite like the idea of something round his bum to just see if he might start stepping under more.

Can’t long rein with someone at his head as there is only one of me!
I will long rein round the farm in a few weeks I hope but currently slipping and sliding round won’t help.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I do like a lunging aid - no pressure and nice and elastic so doesn’t pull on mouth but will help in giraffe moments.

Waldhausen Lunging Aid | Old Mill Saddlery

Waldhausen Lunging Aid boasts sturdy workmanship, and comes in a range of sizes. A ring holds the rope between the legs. Pony: 2,70m to 3,20m Cob: 3,20m to 3,90m Full: 3,60m to 4,30m £25.95.Free UK & Ireland Delivery on orders over £100*

www.oldmillsaddlery.com

I’d wondered about this. I was recommended one to lunge in for my other horse so bought one but he hated it and flung his front legs around. I just had visions of him getting a leg over and ripping his mouth, this horse is a very different character and as said only walking so I did wonder if it may be good for him.

 

[TheMule]

I use a harbridge for things like this as it doesn’t hold them in place, it just stops the giraffe bits

 

[Needtoretire]

Not any help with the walking question, but my horse improved her thoracic sling strength by using a hayball in her hardstanding area. Physio suggested it and watching the horse use it was interesting. She has to step back and round her back as it rolls back towards her front feet, that movement was making her use her core.

Unfortunately she soon realised she could hold the ball with her front legs like a giant hamster and keep the ball still whilst tearing the hay out but it did help her in the longer term.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I use a harbridge for things like this as it doesn’t hold them in place, it just stops the giraffe bits

Just been looking at this, all the photos only show the head! Does it go from bit through front legs to the girth/roller?

 

[poiuytrewq]

Not any help with the walking question, but my horse improved her thoracic sling strength by using a hayball in her hardstanding area. Physio suggested it and watching the horse use it was interesting. She has to step back and round her back as it rolls back towards her front feet, that movement was making her use her core.

Unfortunately she soon realised she could hold the ball with her front legs like a giant hamster and keep the ball still whilst tearing the hay out but it did help her in the longer term.

Oh now that’s interesting. I have a redundant hay ball and a turnout pen right next to the yard
They are in during the day so he could spend a portion of his day out there with the ball. Thanks for that idea!

I’m not sure he’s as clever as yours to work that out

 

[Needtoretire]

Oh now that’s interesting. I have a redundant hay ball and a turnout pen right next to the yard
They are in during the day so he could spend a portion of his day out there with the ball. Thanks for that idea!

I’m not sure he’s as clever as yours to work that out

I was a bit rotten to her by using a pony hole sized ball which made her work harder (she is huge). Physio also suggested asking her to back up a few times every time I was handling her, again a simple exercise that engages the core as long as the neck is down.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I was a bit rotten to her by using a pony hole sized ball which made her work harder (she is huge). Physio also suggested asking her to back up a few times every time I was handling her, again a simple exercise that engages the core as long as the neck is down.

Yes, I’ve been told the same. We stop on our walks every so often and back up a few strides.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

I’m at exactly the same point in rehab as you are, it seems- walking in straight lines. And I also have a giraffe.

I’ve taught mine to lower her head on command. I use a rope head collar when we are working which I know some people view as a harsh but I can be incredibly light with it because she is very good, and she does tend to drop her nose into it more so than in her bridle.

I taught her the frame I wanted on the yard before walking out. I stood at her head, walked backwards and asked her to drop her nose to and ‘on the bit’ position but not allowing her to drop behind the vertical, and used a schooling whip to tickle just under her belly, towards her flank to drive forward into the contact. I asked her to give me about eight steps and then gave a fuss and let her relax and walk out for eight. Then collect for eight, then stretch etc. I add halt and back up to vary it and keep her core engaged. I make a weird chirpy noise on ‘collect’ and I do tend to give a treat if it’s offered and maintained nicely. We then build up from eight to one long side, and now on walks to one section of the path but I always give a break to stretch and relax properly in between.

Now if I make my weird chirpy noise at her she’ll automatically lower her head and work from behind. She also wants to drop even lower when we relax to stretch so we get less llama overall.

I’m also walking her up hill now, with her head lowered. She tries so hard with that, she’s such a lovely girl, but it really is such hard work. I’m getting some good exercise too.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I’m at exactly the same point in rehab as you are, it seems- walking in straight lines. And I also have a giraffe.

I’ve taught mine to lower her head on command. I use a rope head collar when we are working which I know some people view as a harsh but I can be incredibly light with it because she is very good, and she does tend to drop her nose into it more so than in her bridle.

I taught her the frame I wanted on the yard before walking out. I stood at her head, walked backwards and asked her to drop her nose to and ‘on the bit’ position but not allowing her to drop behind the vertical, and used a schooling whip to tickle just under her belly, towards her flank to drive forward into the contact. I asked her to give me about eight steps and then gave a fuss and let her relax and walk out for eight. Then collect for eight, then stretch etc. I add halt and back up to vary it and keep her core engaged. I make a weird chirpy noise on ‘collect’ and I do tend to give a treat if it’s offered and maintained nicely. We then build up from eight to one long side, and now on walks to one section of the path but I always give a break to stretch and relax properly in between.

Now if I make my weird chirpy noise at her she’ll automatically lower her head and work from behind. She also wants to drop even lower when we relax to stretch so we get less llama overall.

I’m also walking her up hill now, with her head lowered. She tries so hard with that, she’s such a lovely girl, but it really is such hard work. I’m getting some good exercise too.

Good idea! I’d like to add hills, we have a gentle one right by the house but the really good one Is a bit too far at the moment (and may kill me!)
Mines the sweetest lad but really funnily not the brightest (think gets stuck if he go’s through an open gate!)

I’m really enjoying taking him out walking too and almost thinking if he doesn’t make riding I may just carry this on. As you say it’s a benefit for me too! He’s also far easier to walk than the dogs! No interest in other dogs or running critters, never pulls. Everyone should have a TB to walk!

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Good idea! I’d like to add hills, we have a gentle one right by the house but the really good one Is a bit too far at the moment (and may kill me!)
Mines the sweetest lad but really funnily not the brightest (think gets stuck if he go’s through an open gate!)

I’m really enjoying taking him out walking too and almost thinking if he doesn’t make riding I may just carry this on. As you say it’s a benefit for me too! He’s also far easier to walk than the dogs! No interest in other dogs or running critters, never pulls. Everyone should have a TB to walk!

I feel exactly the same about mine. I love walking her, and she really enjoys it too. Horse walking is vastly underrated.

If ours are still unrideable later in the year, we should meet up for a horse walk

 

[poiuytrewq]

I feel exactly the same about mine. I love walking her, and she really enjoys it too. Horse walking is vastly underrated.

If ours are still unrideable later in the year, we should meet up for a horse walk

Yes!! the other nice thing about mine is he travels so well and is calm enough the other end!
Maybe a pub walk! we have lovely countryside to make it easier.

 

[millitiger]

Chambon.