Anybody ever use those Rhythm Beads?

If you are riding anyplace that has predators like wolves, bears, or any of the big cats I like having them on because it gives them a heads up something is coming so they can get out of your way. That actually is how I started using rhythm beads. I was in the State Park near Sanford, MI and came around a bend in the trail and was face to face with a bear. It was just a small black bear so not too big a deal but we go the hell out of there. When I talked with the BO they said they were seeing bear from time to time so they were putting bells or rhythm beads on the horses to cut down on the run-ins.

The other bonus is that they can be really helpful when doing endurance riding or any sort of riding that requires an even pace. It is very easy to tell if your horse is keeping a smooth pace or if he's speeding up or slowing down. When I was training endurance I used them all the time to help me pace my self and my horse since I had a set from riding in the parks.

Right now I'm not riding long enough or in wild enough areas so I haven't been putting them on, but since they've now found 2 bear in the areas that I ride this past fall I might pull them out of storage when I start hitting the trails again this spring.

I've never personally used them, but I've seen people at my barn use them. I guess they're supposed to help desensitize your horse, and give them a rhythm, so they don't stumble? I think they're a waste of money, and they don't really do anything, except make an obnoxious noise.

The horses I've seen them on, they don't help at all. Of course, I wasn't riding them, but they still spooked at every bird they saw.

They can be an auditory aid to help you maintain consistency in your horse's gaits. They seem to be more popular among gaited horse riders, but could serve this purpose on any horse.

I haven't used them personally. My horse has excellent rhythm naturally, but I could definitely see them as useful for someone who may struggle with feeling consistency in their horse.

They might also be useful on a trail to alert other people as well as wildlife to your presence to avoid any surprises.