Coloured Australian Pony Stud

I haven't been that complimentary about "natural" horsemanship in my previous entries, but I do believe the approach has, overall, had a very positive impact on the training of horses around the world. And its not that I don't think many of the approaches don't work, far from it, they do work.  My quarrel is not the efficacy, but rather the analysis of why they work.  But's that a subject for another post. 

One of the areas in which NHS has had a good influence is with the issue of gadgets.  Broadly speaking, they don't use them and the don't encourage riders to use them on their horses.  Sure they all use rope halters and the Parelli method makes frequent use of the ubiquitous carrot stick, but other than that you won't see them spruiking the latest contraption which claims to solve every horse behaviour problem in history.

Go to any saddlery store or open any horse magazine and the array of gadgets, mostly its bits that are on offer and growing in number every day is astounding.  In fact it often makes me wonder that any of us have managed to ride our horses successfully up to now. 

The bit sellers are the worst however, in trying to convince you that it is the piece of metal in the horse's mouth that is the key to every problem a horse has, and if you only change the bit, the problem will be solved.  One manufacturer has developed a whole "system" with levels which apparently target different areas of the horse's mouth, depending on their level of training and which if implemented will lead to 'clearer communication" between horse and rider.  Another manufactuer claims that their bit will lead to a "relaxed horse without mouthing issues". I am not entirely sure what a "mouthing issue" is, but if you use that bit you won't have them...

Leaving the bits behind, there are the lunging "aids".  The pessoa system, allows you to tie your horse's head to hits chest via its hind legs, and apparently by forcing it to run in this unnatural position you will correctly develop the muscles needed to do the same once you are on its back.  It i adjustable and the accompanying instructions do advise increasing the level of torture gradually so your horse gets used to it.   Used as directed there is no way for your horse to avoid getting belted in the mouth due to the movement of its hind legs except by hunching up and tucking its nose into its chest.  That's unless its at the advanced stage in which case its head will already be on its chest.  Try running around in a circle with your chin resting on your chest for five minutes and see how that feels.  Bet you start to feel sore all over your back...

There's side reins, drawreins, chambons, market harbouroughs, nose bands etc etc.  All designed to make your horse go "on the bit" with his aching mouth clamped shut so there is no way for him to avoid the agony. 

Watch Stacy Westfall complete her winning reining workout, involving sliding stops, roll backs (turn on the hindquarters), flat gallops, flying changes and the rest, without saddle, bridle or even neck rope and then tell me these gadgets are needed to get a relaxed and obedient horse.  Look at the best event riders, at the highest levels and most of their horses go round four star courses (Olympic level) in snaffle bridles and maybe a noseband and running martingale. 

A wise saying about gadgets, quoted by Andrew McClean in most of his books, is that gadgets should only be used by experienced trainers and experienced trainers don't need to use them.  Gadgets are used either because we are lazy and don't want to take the time to build up our horses slowly, both physically and mentally, or because we want a quick fix to a training or behaviour problem, and just like instant coffee, the gadget is the water and we get an instant repsonse.  Often however, not the one we want or the horse needs. 

So if you are having problems with your horse, its "hard" in the mouth, too forward, "lazy" off the leg, won't jump into water, bucks, rears, won't turn properly, rushes at fences XC or whatever, don't go out and buy a gadget, get a good trainer and find out what YOU are doing wrong.  If you are a mere mortal and not able to train a horse to be ridden without saddle or bridle ( and I count myself in this category) then all you need to break in and train a horse is a saddle that fits, a bridle with a snaffle bit that also fits, a halter and lead and my only gadget, a dressage whip.  Ride with light soft hands, release the contact every time he does what you ask for, never hang, let your horse develop the musculature to bring itself on the bit instead of forcing it and above all, be patient and you will save yourself big bucks by not wasting on money on gadgets that won't come close to fixing the root of the problem- the rider.