Training aids

Let me just preface this with one statement. When used in the correct, educated, KIND hands, training aids can be super beneficial. But let us be honest, how often is it that someone who is that correct, that educated and that kind, ever in need of training aids? Training aids are a shortcut to an end result. I've always been in the frame of mind that if you don't have the time to get the result you are looking for, you shouldn't ask it of the horse at all.

Here's my biggest pet peeve:

DRAW REINS

I remember a long time ago seeing a photo of some chic on a big, beautiful black and white stallion. This is what her tack included:
double reins attached to some god awful bit
draw reins
and some sort of martingale

I, to this day, do not understand what in the HELL she was doing with all of that on there. Or how she even got on without getting tangled in all of that mess. She also had front and back boots, bell boots, and a fly bonnet on. I kind of get the feeling she just liked having stuff.

My second biggest pet peeve:

Draw reins in untrained, rough, dumb hands. My particular favorite, the ones who JUMP in draw reins.

....ok seriously people? Are you looking for an easy way to break your horses leg?
From one of my favorite blogs :) Enjoy. Jumping with draw reins

So what end result are we looking for with draw reins? Is this a result we can't get by using a basic snaffle bit and good riding?

I am currently teaching my horse to carry himself, use his body correctly and have soft contact but to stay round. I'm using nothing but a saddle and a snaffle bit.

Is it taking time? Yes.

But knowing my horse (which I think is key and muy importante), I see the progress with each ride. I can see the difference in his neck line. I can feel and see the difference in how he carries himself. My point is, i'm getting the same results. I have no deadline. I just want him to be in the best shape he can possibly be. We do hunter/jumper so I need him to be able to carry himself correctly.

They are a hutch. If people would just take the time and quit cutting corners, we would stop seeing bug-eyed, miserable looking horses with their chins yanked down to their chests, pleading for someone to save them.

Don't even get me started on rollkur.....