The equestrian world is filled with tools and gadgets, each promising a shortcut to a beautifully trained horse. Among the most talked-about is the Bungee Horse Training Aid. You’ve likely seen it in action: an elasticated system of ropes and pulleys designed to encourage a lower, rounder frame. But what exactly does it do, and is it a valuable tool or a risky shortcut? As a professional trainer, I believe in understanding our equipment inside and out, separating effective aids from potentially harmful gadgets.
This guide will offer an in-depth, honest look at the bungee horse training aid. We’ll explore how it works, weigh the pros and cons, and discuss how to use it safely and ethically, ensuring the horse’s welfare remains our top priority. Let’s move beyond the marketing and get to the heart of what this popular training system can—and cannot—do for you and your equine partner.
What Exactly is a Bungee Horse Training Aid?
At its core, a bungee horse training aid is a system of elastic cords designed to influence the horse’s posture, primarily during lungeing. While designs vary slightly between brands, they typically consist of a few key components:
- A Saddle Pad or Roller Attachment: This is the anchor point of the system, sitting over the horse’s withers and back.
- A Poll Piece: A soft, often padded strap that goes over the top of the horse’s head, just behind the ears.
- Elastic Cords: These cords run from the poll piece, down the horse’s neck, between their front legs, and attach to the girth or roller on either side.
The entire system is interconnected, creating a gentle, elastic tension that comes into play when the horse lifts or extends its head and neck. The idea is to create a soft “suggestion” rather than a fixed, rigid hold.
The Core Principles: How Does It Influence the Horse?
The primary goal of a bungee horse training aid is to encourage the horse to work in a longer, lower, and rounder frame. It operates on a principle of gentle pressure and release. When the horse raises its head beyond a certain point, the elastic cords create mild tension on the poll. To release this tension, the horse learns to lower its head, stretch its neck forward and down, and lift its back.
This action is intended to help the horse:
- Engage the Abdominal Muscles: Lowering the head and lifting the back naturally engages the horse’s core.
- Activate the Hindquarters: A lifted back allows the hind legs to step further underneath the body, improving engagement and impulsion.
- Develop the Topline: By encouraging the use of the correct chain of muscles (abdominals, back, and neck), the aid can assist in building a strong, supple topline over time.
The ultimate goal isn’t just to get the horse’s head down; it’s to promote a state of self-carriage, where the horse learns to carry itself in a balanced, efficient, and athletic way without relying on the aid.
Unpacking the Benefits of a Bungee Training Aid
When used correctly and sparingly by a knowledgeable handler, a bungee aid can offer several benefits. It can be a useful tool for specific horses at particular stages of their training.
Building Topline Strength
For a horse that is weak over its back or tends to move in a hollow frame, the bungee can be an effective way to show them how to stretch down and lift their back. This posture encourages the development of the longissimus dorsi and other crucial muscles that make up the topline, which is essential for carrying a rider comfortably.
Improving Balance and Rhythm
By encouraging a lower head carriage, the bungee can help a horse find its balance, especially in trot and canter on the lunge. This can lead to a more consistent rhythm and a more relaxed way of going, as the horse is not fighting against its own stiffness or lack of balance.
Encouraging Relaxation and Stretching
The gentle, elastic nature of the bungee encourages the horse to stretch forward and down into the contact. This can be particularly beneficial as a warm-up or cool-down exercise, helping to loosen tight back muscles and promote suppleness through the whole body.
“A training aid should be just that—an aid. It’s a tool to help the horse understand a concept, not a device to force them into a position,” notes Dr. Sarah Miller, a leading expert in equine biomechanics. “The bungee’s value lies in its elasticity, which can guide the horse toward self-carriage rather than fixing them in an artificial frame.”
The Other Side of the Coin: Risks and Considerations
No training gadget is without its potential downsides, and the bungee horse training aid is no exception. Misuse can not only negate the benefits but can also be detrimental to the horse’s physical and mental well-being.
Creating a “False Outline”
The biggest risk is creating a horse that is over-flexed at the poll and “behind the vertical.” This means the horse’s nose is pulled in towards its chest, breaking the clean, vertical line from its forehead to its nose. This posture shuts down the flow of energy from the hindquarters, puts immense strain on the poll and neck vertebrae, and prevents true engagement. The horse looks round, but it’s a “false roundness” that lacks power and proper muscle function.
Risk of Muscle Strain
If the bungee is fitted too tightly or used for prolonged periods, it can cause the horse to overuse certain muscles while underusing others. This can lead to muscle fatigue, soreness, and even long-term postural problems. The horse is not learning to carry itself; it’s learning to lean on the gadget for support.
Becoming a Crutch
There is a significant danger of both horse and handler becoming dependent on the aid. If the horse only works correctly when the bungee is on, it hasn’t truly learned the lesson of self-carriage. The goal should always be to transition away from the aid as the horse develops the necessary strength and understanding.
How to Use a Bungee Horse Training Aid Safely and Effectively
If you and your trainer decide a bungee aid is appropriate for your horse, correct fitting and use are non-negotiable.
- Start with a Proper Fit: The aid should be adjusted loosely at first. A good starting point is to ensure that when the horse is standing with its head in a normal, relaxed position, there is no tension on the elastic cords. The pressure should only apply when the horse lifts its head too high.
- Introduce It Gradually: The first session should be short, perhaps only 5-10 minutes at the walk and trot. Let the horse figure out how to release the pressure themselves. Never force the issue.
- Focus on Forward Movement: The bungee is useless—and potentially harmful—if the horse is not moving forward actively from behind. Impulsion is key. The energy must come from the hind legs, travel over a lifted back, and result in a soft, stretching contact.
- Keep Sessions Short: It’s physically demanding for a horse to work in a new frame. Keep lunge sessions with the bungee to a maximum of 20 minutes. Quality over quantity is the mantra.
- Use It as a Part of a Varied Program: The bungee should not be used every single day. Incorporate it into a well-rounded training plan that includes hacking, pole work, hill work, and regular flatwork or jumping.
Is a Bungee Training Aid Right for Your Horse?
This tool is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It might be beneficial for a stiff, older horse that needs encouragement to stretch, or a horse that is struggling to develop its topline through conventional work.
However, it should be avoided for very young horses who are still developing their own balance. It is also not a substitute for correct training and a skilled rider. If a horse is hollow because of rider imbalance or incorrect aids, strapping it into a gadget on the lunge will not solve the root problem. Always consult with a qualified, trusted trainer or physiotherapist before introducing any new training aid.
Alternatives to Achieve Similar Results
Remember, a bungee is just one tool among many. You can achieve the same goals of topline development and self-carriage through other proven methods:
- Correct Lungeing with Side Reins: When fitted correctly, side reins can provide a more consistent contact than a bungee, teaching the horse to accept the bit and work into an outline.
- Pole Work (Cavaletti): Raising and spacing poles correctly encourages the horse to lower its head, lift its back, and engage its hindquarters to navigate the exercise.
- Hill Work: Riding up and down hills is a fantastic and natural way to build strength in the back and hind end.
- Transitions: Riding frequent, correct transitions between and within gaits is one of the best exercises for improving balance, engagement, and responsiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long should a horse wear a bungee training aid?
Sessions should be kept short, ideally no longer than 20 minutes. It is a physically demanding exercise, and overuse can lead to muscle fatigue and soreness. It should only be used 2-3 times per week as part of a varied exercise program.
Can you ride a horse in a bungee?
While some systems are designed for riding, it is generally not recommended, especially for novice riders or green horses. A rider should learn to achieve a correct frame through their seat, leg, and hand aids, not by relying on a gadget that can create a false outline and block the horse’s movement.
Does a bungee training aid build muscle?
Yes, when used correctly, it can help build the correct muscles that form the horse’s topline. By encouraging the horse to stretch down and lift its back, it activates the abdominal and back muscles, leading to improved strength and tone over time.
What’s the difference between a bungee and side reins?
The main difference is the type of contact. A bungee provides an elastic, yielding contact that encourages stretching, while side reins provide a more fixed, constant contact. Side reins are often used to teach a horse to accept the bit, while a bungee is more focused on developing postural muscles.
Can I make a DIY bungee horse training aid?
It is strongly discouraged. Commercially produced aids are designed and tested for safety. Using incorrect materials or construction could result in the equipment breaking, frightening the horse, or applying pressure in the wrong places, potentially causing injury.
Conclusion
The bungee horse training aid is a tool with a specific purpose. It is neither a magical solution nor an instrument of torture. Its effectiveness and ethicality depend entirely on the person using it. When applied with knowledge, empathy, and a clear goal, it can help some horses understand the concept of working over their back. However, it can never replace the foundations of good horsemanship: patience, consistency, and a deep understanding of equine biomechanics. Always prioritize your horse’s well-being, listen to what they are telling you, and remember that there are no shortcuts to building a strong, happy, and willing equine athlete. The journey to developing a strong topline and true self-carriage is a marathon, not a sprint.
