Training aids are essential tools for horse owners and trainers, aiding in everything from improving a horse’s stride and balance to building muscle and enhancing focus. However, the use of any training aid carries a responsibility to ensure the horse’s comfort and safety. Ill-fitting or improperly used equipment can cause discomfort, injury, and ultimately hinder the training process. This guide delves into common training aids, their purposes, and crucial considerations for their safe and effective application, emphasizing the importance of a positive and trusting relationship between horse and handler. Equine training aids play a vital role in refining a horse’s performance.
Understanding the Purpose of Training Aids
Training aids are designed to provide feedback to the horse, encouraging specific movements or responses. They should never be used to force a horse or cause harm. Instead, they act as communication tools, helping the horse understand what is being asked of them. It’s crucial to remember that these aids are supplementary; they cannot replace consistent training, proper handling, and a strong bond built on trust.
Common Training Aids and Their Applications
Action Chains
Action chains are small weights, typically ranging from 2 to 10 ounces, that can be applied to a horse’s legs. Their primary purpose is to enhance proprioception, which is the horse’s awareness of its body’s position and movement. By making the horse more conscious of its leg movements, chains can help improve stride evenness and encourage a more upward action. For instance, if a horse overreaches with its hind legs, a light chain can help it lift its feet higher, thus preventing interference. Chains can also mimic the weight of shoes on barefoot horses or act similarly to human ankle weights, aiding in conditioning and range of motion. When used correctly, they are no more harmful than a decorative bangle on a human. However, improper use can lead to discomfort or injury.
Key considerations for using action chains:
- Ensure chains are placed above the coronary band and can move freely without getting stuck.
- Chains should not be so tight as to cause rubbing or discomfort. Using rubber bell boots alongside chains is recommended.
- Use only one set of chains at a time, either on the front or hind legs, depending on the training objective.
- Never apply any chemical substances to chains or the horse’s legs.
“Stretchies” (Training Shackles)
“Stretchies” consist of fleece-covered cuffs connected by surgical tubing. They are designed to aid in stride, coordination, balance, and muscle toning. Similar to resistance bands used in human exercise, they help build muscle, open up the shoulders and chest, and encourage a more consistent cadence. By restricting the stride length, they prompt the horse to lift its knees higher, engaging muscles that might otherwise be underutilized. These should be used for short durations during specific gaits like the walk and trot.
Important precautions for using “stretchies”:
- Never use stretchies on the hind legs, as this can cause severe injury.
- Only use them during “even beat” gaits (walk, trot, slow gait, rack), not during the canter.
- Ensure the cuffs fit properly, allowing free movement without rubbing or causing discomfort.
- The length of the surgical tubing should be appropriate for the horse’s size and stride.
- Be vigilant for broken tubing and remove it immediately to prevent injury.
- Always use fleece-covered cuffs to protect the horse’s legs.
- Limit usage to short periods to avoid overexertion.
Blinders
Blinders, also known as blinkers, are used to keep a horse’s focus directed forward. Horses have a wide field of vision, making them susceptible to distractions. Blinders help them concentrate on the handler’s cues and the task at hand. They can also encourage the horse to use its ears more effectively to pick up sounds. In driving, blinders prevent the horse from being startled by the cart behind them.
What to check when using blinders:
- Position the middle of the blinders around the middle of the horse’s eye.
- Ensure they are far enough from the eye to prevent rubbing.
- If using a blinker hood, verify it fits correctly and the closures are not too tight.
Bell Boots
Bell boots are protective coverings for a horse’s feet, primarily used to prevent overreaching with the hind feet, which can cause the horse to strike its front legs or pull off front shoes. They are particularly useful for horses with a tendency to forge. It is crucial to select the correct size bell boots that fit snugly around the hoof without being too tight on the ankle.
The Golden Rule: Horse Welfare Above All
Regardless of the training discipline or the aids used, the paramount rule is ensuring proper fit and condition of all equipment. Anything that causes rubbing, chafing, tightness, looseness, or is otherwise ill-fitting can lead to discomfort and harm. A happy and comfortable horse is more willing to learn and perform. Building a bond based on trust, where the horse feels safe and not endangered, leads to a much more successful and enjoyable partnership than one based on forced submission. The happier the horse, the better the performance. This principle is fundamental to mustang horse training and all forms of equine education.
Conclusion
Training aids can be invaluable tools when used responsibly and with a deep understanding of the horse’s welfare. By prioritizing comfort, safety, and a strong, trusting relationship, trainers can effectively guide their horses toward their full potential. Always consult with experienced professionals and prioritize the horse’s well-being in every training decision. For those interested in refining specific skills, understanding how to train a mustang horse or exploring techniques like brooks gaited horse training can offer further insights into specialized training methodologies.
