I know they're slated a lot on here, and in general livery-yard circles.
Question is, have those people slating them actually used them - correctly so they can evaluate them for themselves? I hadn't, until my trainer decided the solution to my latest problem was draw reins. She's quite scary so I let her put them on and had a go, with her instruction. I'd always seen them used with the horse's head pulled in so far it was almost in its chest, pulling the horse on the forehand. That is so NOT how she taught me to use them - they enabled me to get some moments of fantastic, engaged trot and canter (she felt amazing, light on her forehand, quarters underneath her, athletic and poised), and both my girl and I now know what we're aiming at.
After using them only a few times she's now 100x better when riding without them. I'll probably only use them if she needs reminding after another couple of uses she's improved so much. She's a mare who has 'I can't' panic moments and will fight and fight forever. Now she knows she CAN, she's keen to have a go and it's done wonders for helping me to help her loosen her quarters and getting her to swing through her back.
As so often said (and rarely listened to in any sphere of life), it's not the equipment, it's the user that makes something good or bad. I liked the instant release possible when she was good, so she really understood what was 'right', and that I could vary the pressure. I also liked that you can let them have a really good stretch with the training aid releasing too, as I like to do that often when learning new things - I know it's hard work for her!
Riding is supposed to be fun. I was starting to dread schooling as it was a constant battle - two days later and she was lovely to school, and to jump, with just a martingale tonight. I asked, she understood and had a go - all I could ever want from her!
Question is, have those people slating them actually used them - correctly so they can evaluate them for themselves? I hadn't, until my trainer decided the solution to my latest problem was draw reins. She's quite scary so I let her put them on and had a go, with her instruction. I'd always seen them used with the horse's head pulled in so far it was almost in its chest, pulling the horse on the forehand. That is so NOT how she taught me to use them - they enabled me to get some moments of fantastic, engaged trot and canter (she felt amazing, light on her forehand, quarters underneath her, athletic and poised), and both my girl and I now know what we're aiming at.
After using them only a few times she's now 100x better when riding without them. I'll probably only use them if she needs reminding after another couple of uses she's improved so much. She's a mare who has 'I can't' panic moments and will fight and fight forever. Now she knows she CAN, she's keen to have a go and it's done wonders for helping me to help her loosen her quarters and getting her to swing through her back.
As so often said (and rarely listened to in any sphere of life), it's not the equipment, it's the user that makes something good or bad. I liked the instant release possible when she was good, so she really understood what was 'right', and that I could vary the pressure. I also liked that you can let them have a really good stretch with the training aid releasing too, as I like to do that often when learning new things - I know it's hard work for her!
Riding is supposed to be fun. I was starting to dread schooling as it was a constant battle - two days later and she was lovely to school, and to jump, with just a martingale tonight. I asked, she understood and had a go - all I could ever want from her!