My daughter's trainer has suggested we buy a harbridge to help build up her horse's back muscle line by bringing his rear end up underneath him more. I can only find them for sale via the Internet in UK. Does anybody know anyplace in the US that sells them? Or an alternative piece of equipment that can accomplish the same purpose?? Anybody have any input about use of a harbridge. I have read some things that say horses have been known to flip themselves over in one. Kinda scary.
Mulereiner2007-09-21T09:06:25Z
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I'm not a big gadget feen, nor do I think that a horses head constantly hooked to a gadget that doesn't allow some sort of release when the cue is given and a proper response follows.
I'm really disappointed a trainer would want your daughter to short cut also instead of learning the proper techniques with her hands to help her horse carry himself and teaching her at the same time.
To lock a horses head like that through a whole lesson, is going to sour your horse, maybe the trainer will give the horse needed breaks, but he will need them every 10 minutes in the beginning until he builds his muscles up.
I'm sure horses have flipped over with it, I'm big into pressure and release and there really isn't a release for this sort of training aid.
I would REALLY stress having another trainer evaluate this horse to see if theres anyway your daughter can learn to ride her horse with her hands and not aids.
Any device such as a harbridge, chambon and even draw reins has the potential to cause a horse to flip over. That's a known risk of using such training aids that apply downward pressure on the head. They can also cause the horse to become very heavy on the front as they start to lean on them and really only create a false temporary frame. Head carriage occurs when the horse has plenty of impulsion and tempo from it's quarters, rounds it's back and accepts the bit. Your daughter and her trainer should be focusing on impulsion first, then collection, than getting the horse to frame up - this will build up his muscle line correctly and without bulking in the wrong places . If your daughter's trainer is under the impression that an aid such as a harbridge is the best way for the horse to achieve this, I would seriously be looking at hiring another trainer.
The Harbridge: can be used on the lunge, or for loose schooling work or for ridden work. Because of the low point of contact from which the device operates it encourages the horse to adopt a long low profile, encouraging a degree of poll flexion while allowing freedom to bend laterally. As there is nothing for the horse to lean on he is encouraged to carry himself and in doing so build up muscles along the Topline making it natural for the horse to always work in a good shape within the capabilities of his conformation. Probably best used on the lunge for the first sessions to initially build a stronger profile before the added weight of a rider. When used in a teaching situation it enables the instructor to demonstrate the feel they wish the client to achieve, without the less experienced rider having to work too hard and therefore compromising their balance and position. The Harbridge is patented and also a registered trade mark and comes in two sizes Pony/Cob and Cob/Full size.
To Fit: adjustable in two places on the actual reins themselves and also under the chest. Thread the girth loop onto the girth of either your saddle or Roller and girth up as normal, then both reins pass between the front legs and the trigger clip at the end of each rein is clipped to each bit ring. As with most schooling devices it should only be clipped into place when in the school or, as you are about to ride off the horse should never be lead to the school with equipment already attached. Any new piece of schooling equipment should be introduced gradually as muscles unaccustomed to working in certain shapes soon tire and the horse will begin to resist and spoil the effect you are trying to create. Always put devices on generously and then shorten later rather than starting too short.
I'm in the UK. Sorry, I don't know where you can get one in the US...
I would hesitate on this. I really hate to see anyone putting a piece on equipment on a horse that hinders head movement along with a rider that has never used the piece of equipment. I am with Mulereiner. I really hate gadgets of any kind to train with. And I have used them all. After I put them all on Ebay and went back to the old school way of doing things, (time and steady work), my horses have turned out much better. If you need to bring your horses rear end up under him , I would get a video on collection and start there. Not try a device that could get your daughter and her horse hurt.
Mulereiner and Paint Pony have very good points and I agree with them.
It is better for your daughter to learn how to teach her horse where to hold his head. She needs the skill to be able to teach her next horse.
This device, if not used correctly, can be damaging. The horse will come to resent being ridden and will also start to resent your daughter. Also, imagine that you were trying to strengthen a muscle and someone told you that you had to hold it in one position for 30 min to an hour, do you know how much that muscle (and other supporting muscles) would hurt at the end of the time?
In short I would suggest that you find a different trainer that is willing to teach your daughter how to teach her horse. Good luck!