Equipment versus EDUCATION

Riders seem to think that a certain bit, bridle, halter, cavesson, bitless bridle, noseband, flash, training device, hackamore etc, etc, will be the answer to whatever the problem might be. The answer is not in the equipment, but in EDUCATION. More than anything in the equestrian world it is the MISUSE of equipment that cause the majority of problems and suffering of our equine friends. Let me repeat that: Not the equipment - THE MISUSE of the equipment!

Every horse is an individual and every rider is an individual. Then you combine the two and you have a unique partnership. Some equipment will be better for the individual horse and some equipment easier to use for the particular rider. What works for one combination will not necessarily work for another or for all.

It would be wonderful if riders would realise this and leave room for everyone to use what works for them in their partnership with their horse, without criticism or judgement. We are all riders and we all want to do what is best for our horses with the knowledge that we have in this moment in time. Three years from now you might not choose to use the equipment you are currently using, because you might have learnt more and grown in the meantime. You might have practiced a new skill and find that it works better for you, and then you move on.

We are not all in the same place on our equestrian journey. Lets realise this and and only look down on another if it is in the process of helping them up, through education, not criticism.

We would do well to study and learn about each piece of equipment, the way it functions, where it creates pressure, how that would affect the horse, if it is in line with our end goal or short term goal, etc. Even if you don't intend to use a particular piece of equipment, it is valuable knowledge to have, as it might benefit someone else that you could educate.

Each piece of equipment was designed and created for a reason - find out what that is. They all have benefits, limitations and dangers. Find out what they are before using it on your horse. It is irrelevant what worked for your friends horse, an acquaintance or a dressage superstar, as your horse is an individual and there is no super equipment that works like magic.