Bitting Rig for strengthening back?

[ptownevt]

My BO has recently started lunging horses in a bitting rig to strengthen their backs. She swears by it. Something about it just doesn't sit right with me. Anyone have any experience with this? What do you all think?

[EqTrainer]

Just no.

[texang73]

Well, it depends... If used correctly they can be helpful. My guy was horribly upside down giraffe-on-crack when I got him... and by lunging him in this: www.equiami.com 2x a week for 15 min at a time, he has strengthened and built up his back.

If used improperly any training aid can be detrimental.

[xEchox]

Iffy on it, why not just do it with proper work instead of gadgets?

[vbunny]

I am not sure why this is considered so very different than side reins, or deGoges or any other lunging aid that has been around for years. I have never used a bitting-rig but I am not sure I see the evilness of it either. As long as it's fitted to where it encourages the horse rather than forces it I think it seems ok. Maybe your trainer is fitting it incorrectly and that is what is making you uneasy. Do the horses seems trapped or cramped into it?

[Woodland]

When use appropriately it can be very helpful in developing a soft balanced horse.

When I was introduced to Dressage from a German master in the 1970's the horses were ALWAYS lunged in surcingle and side reins ALWAYS! Coming from a saddlebred background and just before a H/J background I was surprised that this was a common thread in all three devotions.

Technology has advanced and there are excellent "bitting rigs" available now that allow you to customize the fit and engagement appropriate to each individual horse.

Bitting a horse up is a tried and true method of training. It creates stable consistent cues without rider error. When applied correctly it can have great benefit.

From a trainers stand point when you have 8 - 12 horses to ride in a day it helps develop understanding and cues and contact consistently so your in the saddle time is more efficient and effective. And therefore your body will last longer! At my age I am grateful to have learned about this training technique at a tender age.

[fourmares]

Used incorrectly it can make a horse sore backed and behind the bit.

[Ambrey]

What do you mean by a "bitting rig?" I looked it up on google and found a few different types.

[spaghetti legs]

like a pessoa i guess.

[EqTrainer]

When I think of a bitting rig, I think of a device attached to a surcingle that comes up above the horse. The only time I have seen them used the horses were jacked up in them and longed.

Hence my answer, just no.

[War Admiral]

A simple bitting rig is really nothing but sidereins, a surcingle and a crupper.

I was always taught to use it on young, unbacked horses IN THE STALL ONLY, for 10 mins. MAX. No more than that. Just to teach them to carry the bit and get the basic principle of flexion across.

I'm still not sure whether I'm going to use one or not, with New Kid. He's very up-necked, so it kinda depends on whether he shows any signs of trying to get above it or not. He might wear it for all of 3 *seconds*! :lol:

[jn4jenny]

Iffy on it, why not just do it with proper work instead of gadgets?

Because the rider is unable to execute proper work. Because the rider can execute proper work but cannot do so consistently. Because some green horse's initial reaction to proper work is to buck, snort, bitch, moan, and otherwise work out their business--and unless you are one hell of a rider or you bounce well, sometimes it's better for the horse to work it out themselves.

Yes, in a perfect world, we'd all be able to execute proper work at all three gaits at all times. Out here in the Real World, that's unfortunately not so.

OTOH, I think the Pessoa is counterproductive for reasons that were well stated here:
http://www.sustainabledressage.net/tack/gadgets.php#pessoa

I further agree with Sustainable Dressage that the Chambon is the best of the "gadgetry", and when I do occasionally need such a gadget, I use a neck stretcher (which is just an elastic version of a chambon).

[Trevelyan96]

I'm ok with proper use of side reins for very short periods, it does help a young horse learn to balance, and is very old school, but as in all 'tools' the potential for abuse is always out there. If the horse looks trapped or uncomfortable, then its most likely either not being used correctly, or being over used.

[Flipper]

My trainer has had me using a pessoa rig with my big draft-cross, who has a long, weak back. I was never able to use just side reins with him for lunging, as he is difficult to get moving forward into the bit and would usually resist the side-rein bit pressure, and that would only make him tight. I found that using the pessoa has been a wonderful solution for him, as the part of the 'rig' that goes behind him encourages him to step forward into the bit with his hind end, and allows him to use his back correctly. It took a few sessions before he really felt comfortable with it, but now that he's figured it out, he relaxes his topline & it's really helping to strengthen him. Just like anything, adjusting it so it fits correctly is extremely important, and you should definately have someone who knows how to adjust it properly help you out.

[BuddyRoo]

I think using a surcingle and side reins can be a great way to pull the rider out of the equation and get a horse working correctly...driving forward, getting up under themselves, and strengthening the topline.

But as will all tools, improper use can create more problems than it solves...

[00Jumper]

I think bitting rigs are like sweets: used sparingly, they're wonderful. Use them too much and you run the risk of creating a monster. I have a horse that was not a big flexion fan when we bought her. I worked her in a bitting rig for, oh, 15 minutes once or twice a week and it got her to the point where she would accept requests for flexion while being ridden. Now, with proper/consistent work and training, she can be ridden flexed very easily and is all kinds of wonderful to ride. :D The bitting rig was a great springboard, but without the riding it never would have achieved the whole desired affect.

That said, occasionally if I am very pressed for time I will put a horse in a bitting rig for a 15-minute workout. It's an easy work for me, and a good one for the horse. But again, this is only when I am pressed for time or not feeling up to riding for whatever reason (illness, etc).

[dmj]

used sparingly, the Pessoa rig is great. It doesn't replace correct riding - as mentioned above, it takes the rider out of the equation once in a while - which is a good thing for horses with sensitive backs.

[Flipper]

Jn4Jenny - Thanks for the sustainable dressage link - very informative & eye-opening! I do use the Pessoa very sparingly - once a week if that, but what the link says makes lots of sense, & I think I'll be trying the alternatives.

[ptownevt]

It is actually like the Pessoa. Her horses seem quite comfortable. Nothing forced or tight at all. My daughter's mare is a 18 year old TB that hasn't been in work for several years. She's very sweet and tries everything asked of her, but she has a long weak back with NO topline whatsoever. She was starving when I bought her 2 years ago. She's recovered but hasn't put much muscle back on. Given that my daughter is a 12 year old advanced beginner, maybe the "training aid" (that's what I saw it called when I searched last night) would be easier on the mare a couple of times a week for 10 or 15 minutes. I guess we'll try it, but I will be very careful with her.

Thanks for all your input. I appreciate it.

Pam

[SmartAlex]

When I think of a bitting rig, I think of a device attached to a surcingle that comes up above the horse. The only time I have seen them used the horses were jacked up in them and longed.

Hence my answer, just no.

You're thinking of a dumb jockey.

[jrchloe]

Could one just use the part (or something similiar) that just goes behind the backlegs thats just attached to the surcingle and not to the mouth?

[Renn/aissance]

I'm with everyone who said that they are useful used properly and sparingly, and potentially bad if used improperly.

[Mosey_2003]

Does anyone know where you could get just the part that goes around the haunches? I'd like to give that a try with a chambon...

[jrchloe]

The sustainable dressage website says you can use a rubber neck stretcher around the haunches attached to the surcingle.
http://www.sustainabledressage.com/tack/gadgets.php#2part_chambon