Training A Horse With Proper Equipment

Nothing about training or riding a horse is natural. We need help teaching our horses our language much like a school teacher needs books, chalkboards, and sometimes rulers to teach their students. I constantly tell people that, yes, some equipment is severe enough to never be used, but in the right hands even the mildest halter can become torture to a horse. On the flip side, properly used equipment can help the horse learn a lesson faster and easier thereby putting less strain on the horse’s body and humor. When looking at training equipment, I look at these aspects to determine if the equipment I use is right for me and the horse. Surface area covered or skin contact made, the surface design of the equipment that touches the skin and the motivation needed for a particular lesson. So, let’s look at what makes bits, spurs, and whips different.