What Do Wednesday: Gadgets & Other Shit

Another lovely week, another lovely episode of me asking my readers, What Do?

This week, I wanted to address an issue that swirls around the equestrian world constantly.

And having just written about feeling very judged, this post may seem very judgey. But whatever.

Much like blanketing, turnout, shoeing, etc...everyone has an opinion about everything all the time. If there's one thing you can count on internet trolls for, its creating drama on every site known to man on any issues or subject. So why not add to it here, I'm not afraid of a little fire.

What sparked my interest in this topic was a FB acquaintance who posted a photo of herself jumping herself in draw reins.

DRAW REINS.

JUMPING.

HER HORSE. IN. DRAW. REINS.

Y THO (not her photo)

I am sorry, but I was completely baffled by this, as "I have always been told" that this is NO NO NO. Just no.

Even if I had never been told by trusted trainers and other horse people that this practice was frowned upon, generally, I STILL would double take if I saw a person jump a horse in draw reins.

Just looks downright dangerous and restrictive.

not natural

I held my tongue on her photo, as she generally rides western and I hear draw reins are a thing over there, but still. Jumping in draw reins….

This lead me to some pondering about “training aids” in general.

“In general” at first I thought I was a complete snob about them, instantly judging anyone who uses them to get their horse to do what they want. That was then, this is now.

 I have considered training aids to be anything that forcibly requires a horse to carry himself in a certain manner; aka, draw reins, german martingales, tie downs, neck stretcher etc. To me, training should take place over time with encouragement and support rather than force and demand. But that’s just me.

Then I thought a little bit more.

What exactly is considered a training aid? Do I use them?

Is it martingales? Is it neck stretchers? Is it draw reins, sidereins, chambons, bits, spurs, whips, bridles, saddles??

If a naturalist were to answer this, they would probably say anything but a rider on a horses' bare back is considered a training aid, and I could see their point. Bridles and saddles aren't natural and they do “aid” us in riding a horse.

However, it still takes WORK to get a horse trained well. Hard work. Not shortcuts, and most "aids" are shortcuts.

THIS article is pretty great regarding draw-reins and highlights everything I could ever say about them.

Do not like them, for any purpose & will never use them. Will DEF judge you if you use them.

That does not mean though that I am opposed to martingales though.

But, aren’t martingales a “training aid”, you say?

Technically, I suppose yes. But they are an aid a horse can reasonably escape from and are difficult to misuse, unlike draw reins.

Usually....

For example

 I’ve seen them misused ^, but it is much more difficult to do so and usually done by over-tightening. 

THIS article does a nice job explaining things about martingales.

I personally do not like standing martingales. They’re kinder to the horse in the sense the attachment doesn’t have a direct line to the bit, but, in the event that a horse would trip and fall, I think its incredibly dangerous. My trainer suggested I ride in one for a ride or two so B learns that flipping one’s head is unacceptable, but I still haven’t done it. I prefer to try and find other ways around it, vs tying the head down.

However, I ALWAYS ride outside with a running martingale, or jump with one. Properly adjusted, the martingale is self correcting and is effective. It also can add a bit of leverage to whatever bit you are using. (Yes yes I realize this is an "aid") Also, can prevent a horse from whacking you in the face though. 

Horse about to flip head in my lap and bolt, you can see running martingale about to be activated

Properly adjusted, B can still move, gallop, jump, etc but if he were to fling his face, the martingale would activate

This HAS happened to me, thanks B! Therefore, I have one on at all times during these situations, just as a “just in case” since my horse had (crosses fingers this is a thing of the past) a tendency to fling head, root, then bolt, but in no way does a running martingale hold his head in place or overbend him.

Additionally & recently, I've gotten rid of my sidereins completely. I just felt that even though I had them adjusted loose enough that he could stretch down, it still looked restrictive. 

loose, but I still do not like

With a horse that is anxious already, restrictive tools do no good. Incredibly, he responds well to only the lunge line and will lunge beautifully without sidereins. On occasion I borrow a pair if he’s truly being awful, lunge for 5 min in them, and take them off, just as a reminder. Generally though, I’m done with them.

lunging only with lunge line

I ESPECIALLY dislike the pessoa system or whatever its called where the reins run behind the hindquarters to the other side of the bit. In every video I’ve watched this leads the horse to being jammed in the mouth every stride, and going about horribly behind the verticle. Um, no thanks. Very incorrect and invasive.

Don't even get me started on bits & how people choose to use them. I can't.

Now, I don’t want anyone to get in a complete uproar. Yes, my horse sometimes goes behind the verticle. Yes I use a running martingale sometimes. Yes, he’s green AF. But YES I am training him and trying to do it patiently and correctly. That does not mean that I am judging others for THEIR choices (unless its drawreins), I just prefer not to do it (training aids) that way and don’t think its correct. That my opinion.

So what I want to know (without judgment) is what my dear readers do? Do you use training aids? Why or why not? Feed me your secrets, I must know!