There is a saying that gadgets and training aids are fine in the hands of experts, but that -experts have no need for them. In fact, most purists are dead set against the use of any artificial aids and claim that it is unnatural.

This may apply in an ideal world, but -every horseman, however expert, will at some stage encounter problems when schooling a horse and may occasionally need additional help in the form of an aid or a gadget. The secret is to know exactly which specific aid is required in what situation as well as the correct fitting and use of such a piece of equipment.

A training aid is a piece of equipment used to develop a well-schooled horse to improve his performance (building muscle, improving balance, etc.), whereas a gadget is a piece of equipment which prevents or restrains an -aspect of a horse's behaviour, making him -difficult or even dangerous to ride.

A degree of skill is needed when using aids or gadgets, as when used incorrectly, they can be more harmful than beneficial. It is important that they are fitted correctly and that one is aware of their exact action, strength and -severity. Only use it when specifically required and never as a matter of course. Training aids and gadgets in the wrong hands can damage a horse physically and psychologically.

There are many types and variations of training aids and gadgets and it would be impossible to mention, let alone discuss all of them. Therefore, we will look only at the most common and widely used aids and gadgets available.

Training aids and gadgets can be placed into three categories, namely martingales, training reins and lungeing aids. Some training reins can be used for lungeing as well as ridden work.

Martingales
These aids are designed to assist the bridle in controlling the horse, preventing the horse from raising his head beyond the point where the rider can control him. When fitted -correctly, they allow the horse enough freedom and are not severe.

• The running martingale consists of a neck strap and a second strap which is attached through the girth. It passes through the horse's front legs and is attached to the neck strap, from where it is divided into two straps with a small metal ring at each end through which the reins pass. Rein stops (rubber or leather) must be attached to the reins to prevent the martingale rings getting caught on the bit.

The martingale should be fitted so that, when the horse carries his head in the normal position, no pressure is felt. However, when he raises his head above a certain point, the martingale restricts the movement by putting downward pressure on the reins, which in turn causes the bit to bear down on the bars of the horse's mouth.

The rule of thumb is that it should be fitted so that the rings when pulled up, are in line with the withers. Nevertheless, this depends largely on the individual horse and the way his neck is attached to his body. A low set neck will require these straps to be slightly shorter and vice versa. If the rings sit too high, the martingale will be totally ineffective; too short and will apply undue pressure.

• Variations on the running martingale are the hunting martingale, where the neck strap is attached to the saddle to serve as a breastplate-martingale in one, preventing the saddle from slipping back, and the bib -martingale, where the two split straps are joined by a triangle of leather to prevent excitable horses from getting caught up in the straps. These types of martingales are permitted in the show jumping arena. These kinds of martingales are permitted in showjumping and cross country competitions.

• The standing martingale consists of a neck strap and a single strap which is attached to the girth and runs through the horse's front legs. It is attached under the horse's jaw to a cavesson noseband, or to the cavesson part of a flash noseband and applies pressure to the top of the horse's nose when he lifts his head beyond a certain point.
This is the most severe of the martingales and care should be taken that it is fitted -correctly. When correctly fitted, it should be possible to push it up into the horse's gullet. This kind of martingale is usually disallowed in the competitive arena.

• The Market Harborough martingale -consists of a neck strap and a single strap which is -attached to the girth and passes through the horse's front legs. Like the running martingale, it is split into two straps, but with a clip at each end. These straps pass through the rings of the bit and are clipped onto one of a series of rings on the reins.
Like the running martingale, the Market Harborough will only put pressure on the horse's mouth if he lifts his head beyond a certain point. The Market Harborough should only be used with snaffle-type bits and is not allowed in competition.

Note: With all of the above martingales, a rubber stopper should be attached crosswise to prevent it from slipping through the neck strap.

• The Irish martingale, unlike the other -martingales, has no direct action on the horse's head carriage, but merely serves to prevent the reins from being thrown over the horse's head in the event of a fall, or in the case of severe head-tossers. It consists of two small metal rings through which the reins pass. They are attached to each other by a short leather strap (about eight inches long). It is often used on racehorses.

Training reins
Training reins are used when schooling a horse to help him develop the correct muscles for ridden work, or as a corrective aid to encourage the horse to carry himself well.

• Running reins / draw reins are long -pieces of leather or webbing, with a loop at each end. They pass from the outside to the inside through the bit rings and are attached to the girth, either between the horse's front legs (the most severe option) or along the sides -below the saddle. Running reins encourage the horse to lower his head, bringing it towards the vertical to promote development of the neck and back muscles.

Running reins should only be used with snaffle-type bits to which an independent set of reins are also attached. The rider should be quick to release the pressure on the running reins the moment the horse lowers his head. It is important that the horse be ridden forward or there is a danger that he may become over-bent (or cheesecurl).

Another danger of continuously relying on running reins (without enough forward riding), is that it may teach the horse to lean or hang in the rider's hands, or to fall onto his forehand.

• The De Gogue can be used for both -ridden work and lungeing. A strap from the girth -passes between the horse's front legs and -divides into two cord straps. A poll pad with pulleys (or rings) on either side is attached to the headpiece of the bridle. The cord straps go over the pulleys (or through the rings) and down to the bit.

For ridden work, short reins can be -attached to the cord straps, together with an independent set of reins. For lungeing, the cords pass through the bit rings and clip onto the chest strap. The De Gogue is used to keep the horse's head and neck in the correct position and develop the neck and back muscles. Again it is important that with both lungeing and riding, the horse be -encouraged to move forward.

• The Abbot Davies balancing rein helps to develop the muscles in the back and hind-quarter by encouraging the horse to raise his neck at its base. A combined -system of -pulleys and straps will prevent the horse from leaning. It consists of a wide strap which is attached to the girth between the horse's front legs. -Attached to this are two cord straps with a pulley with a clip on each and another clip at each end.

The most common way of fitting it, is to -attach the clips on the pulleys onto the rings of the bit and the clips at the end to rings on the reins. It can also be fitted from tail to mouth or from mouth to ears.

• The Harbridge aims to encourage a horse to work correctly by discouraging leaning, -enhancing self-carriage and generally -stimulating softness in the horse's back.

A strap attached to the girth passes through the front legs and divides into two pieces of elastic which are clipped onto the bit rings. It should be used for work on the flat only.

A similar effect is sometimes attained when side reins are attached through the front legs to the girth. Ensure that it is not made too tight, pulling the horse down as this puts much -pressure on the horse's back.

The elastic training rein (also known as a German rein, German elastic or bungee rein) is made entirely of durable elastic cord to allow give, making it less severe. It fits over the horse's poll, through the rings of the bit and can be attached to the girth either between the front legs or along the sides.

This aid is designed to promote self-carriage without putting pressure on the horse's mouth. It can be used for both ridden and lunge work. Make sure that it is not too short, pulling the horse's bit up, or too long, causing the horse to step through it when he drops his head.

Although some of the types of martingale are allowed in certain competitive sports, none of the training aids are allowed to be used -during any competition.

Please remember that all gadgets and training aids have to be fitted and applied correctly and it is imperative that the advice of an -expert be sought. It is also important that a horse be encouraged to work forwards, using his hindquarter, as otherwise few of these training aids or gadgets will have any beneficial effect whatsoever.

In the next edition of SA Horseman we will look at the lungeing aids and at whips and spurs as training aids.