There are a fair number of horse riding and training tools and aids at an equestrian’s disposal—tacks that purport to be able to teach this and that. But a fundamental flaw in almost all of the concepts of pony tack training is that tacks employ mostly discomfort, pain, and fear to teach and train horses—and these are not ideal teaching aids. Some tacks are best avoided, some may be used carefully or in correct measure.

Transition Curb Bits

Usually known as Tom Thumbs and designed to transition from snaffle bit to leverage bit, this is not an efficient bit to start neck-reining your pony with. Neck reining is best taught by teaching horses to connect their shoulders and respond to the snaffle. Right and left reins connects to the left and right shoulders respectively to move either. When your equine partner learns to master this, you then shift to the neck rein. Transition curb bits are best avoided altogether, because though they may in effect teach a horse how to neck rein, it might be an improper and stiff manoeuvre, somewhat upsetting to the eyes even in a simple pony riding session.

Martingales

Engineered to hold the head of the pony in a preferential position vertically and laterally, the primary trick behind a martingale is that it makes the bit uncomfortable, even agonizing, when your steed’s head is out of position. The martingale is a perfect example of badly judged equestrian practice. Discomfort and pain aren’t the best teachers of animals as wild and proud as horses. Bits can be helpful when employed with the intention of communication through applying correct levels of pressure where necessary. The most significant difference between communication and using discomfort as a motivating force is that in communication the pony is freed from the pressure and praised when she responds in the right way.

Stopper

A stopper is another prime example of unpleasant pony tack training. A tack that teaches a pony to stop to avoid getting it into her mouth, a stopper uses pain and agony in place of communication and the pressure-release-praise system. It is important for your horses to actively consider what you would like them to do, though not through the motivation of escaping agony.

Snaffle bits

Intended to train horses to respond with a light touch of the reins; the problem is, again, it relies on misguided principles. Consider this: if the pony doesn’t listen to the snaffle cues, what would you do? You’d potentially find a harsher bit. And if she becomes acclimatized to that and starts to not listen again—another tougher bit? This possible cycle of discomfort and tolerance isn’t a healthy teaching method, and would at last prove perilous for the overall well being of your horses.

As you can see, there is a need to apply tact when using your tacks, be it for coaching or horse riding, and particularly for equestrian sport. It’s the job of trainers and riders as equestrians to coach their horses, the tacks and tools shouldn’t do it for them.

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