WHY is everyone's answer always to use a Tie Down? Don't they know about other riding techniques??

Question

I come on here to try to help people train their horse in a safe manner.
There are legitimate horse training questions, questions that are great opportunities for the riders to learn more.

Yet the answers are almost always the same -
"Get a Tie Down."
"Get a Martingale."

What the heck, guys?? There IS such a thing as learning to train your horse WITHOUT the use of harmful "gadgets"!! Good, classical, patient training and riding will do the best for your horse, not gadgets!!!

Is anyone else scared of these novice horse-people being given such incorrect answers?

Does anyone else think that a "tiedown" is harmful and dangerous to both horse and rider??

More importantly, in the few events that a tiedown SHOULD be used, does anyone else think it should be reserved for qualified trainers??

Bloodhound-
The fact that you find it acceptable to use the same training aid on almost all of your horses is remarkable. Training is the adeptation of appropriate tools/techniques to individual horses with unique situaitons and personalities.

The same tools CANNOT be used on every horse successfully- each horse is different as is every rider.

If you think that a tie down is the answer for every horse, you cannot call yourself a trainer. A trainer is one who listens to the horse's needs and adapts their training to each horse.

Answer 1

Yup I agree with you also.

There is tons of junk advice given by people that have no clue how to properly ride a horse, let alone train them. For some reason they flock to Y/A horse section and become 'trainers'.

I went to a ranch rodeo last weekend and watched some of the horses in warm up. I realize they are 'roping horses' and need a tie down when doing their job, however, these horses had no basic training on suppleness and bending at the pole etc. Their heads were so high up and only held back by the tie down. That was just in warm up. There is no reason why a roping horse can't have the proper training and I have seen some dang good ones that were.

What drives me bonkers (doesn't take much anymore on here lol) is seeing the tie downs used and not run through the breast collar. So when the horse does briefly lower its head, the strap dangles and they can get their leg hung up. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that wreck coming a mile away.

I have ppl that board 2 paddocks down from me. I have never seen them bit their horses with the bit facing the correct way. No kidding. You tell them, but they still do it. I have seen another boarder saddle a horse, run the rear cinch around the flank and have a rodeo (free for me).

I can write a book on how not to train your horse by what I see out at my boarding area.

All I can say is the horses that wind up in the hands of those that want to learn and take lessons and those that are skilled after taking lessons and never stop learning, are the most blessed animals on earth. I pity all the other ones.

Answer 2

I totally agree with you but you also have to consider the source of the recommendations to use tie downs on here. Artificial aids have their place as do various bits including citations but the impetus should be on the knowledge and the experience of the person using them and the reasons behind their choice.
We used standing martingales and running reins on all our polo ponies but that is because Argentine polo players require a higher degree of control. This is 40 goal polo, not someone attempting to put the finish on their own horse with little skill or understanding. I also have friends that worked for show jumpers and dressage riders on the British team and they used Market Harbrough's and German (training forks) martingales frequently. There are people that do possess the talent, skill and foresight to know when to use them and how to use them well but unfortunately they are in the minority. In the hands of the inexperienced, running reins and harbroughs can be lethal in their effect on a horse and that's what I don't think people realize and far too many people don't ride with a light contact. They haul and kick and tug. I completely understand where you are coming from and I agree that using a martingale or any other artificial aid is no substitute for schooling and not a cure all. They were never meant to be, they are there as an "aid". I do think they can be useful tools though when used as they were intended by the right people. Too many people come on these boards looking for a quick fix because they don't have the knowledge to realize what is causing the problem or how to fix it. They are then given answers by people that also have no idea how to work and school a horse and this leads to a dangerous situation for all.

Answer 3

You know the old saying -ten horsepeople-ten different opinions... but, tiedowns, well, they do seem to pop up in too many situations on here...
My one in so many opinions LOL....
Tie downs are just a crutch...a last ditch effort to keep your horses' head down. It also limits it's ability to naturally maneuver. There are a few horses that do well with a tie down because they brace against it, but I avoid them.
Martingales...there is more than one kind of them. German, running, standing.
Never used a German-can't comment.
Running martingales are great training tools because they allow the horse to behave and keep his head in the right frame and there is no pressure. They still allow for free movement.
Standing martingales are more or less the English version of a tie down, except instead of attaching to a noseband, the attach directly to the bit...I don't like that idea, and don't use them either. Seem a lot like a crutch also.

I don't think a properly used tiedown is dangerous, but yes, not knowing the level of rider the advice is given to, is a bit dangerous. some other gadgets are though. Draw reins, standing martingales, certain bits that I have seen advised to people, not knowing their level of riding...what's the solution though?....
I guess that's why my answers seem so long and probably why I get thumbs downs all the time...I don't give a hoot though. If I can help one person, it makes my day.

Answer 4

Thank you. That annoys the heck outta me too.

A tie-down is a quick fix, nothing more. Horses who are trained using martingales are likely to go back to their higher headset as soon as the martingale is gone. It's good as a backup aid, not a training tool.

Tie-downs/standing martingales are my biggest peeve. I hate them. I don't mind running martingales, I do own one actually, they don't interfere except when needed to. The only time the running martingale does anything is when the horse raises his head too high, and even then it puts pressure on the bit instead of the nose so to the horse it's not that much different than the rider pulling on the reins.

To me the only good use for a martingale is as a "just in case" precaution for horses who have a tendency to raise their heads too much. It makes sense to me that show jumpers use running martingales. I don't think a standing martingale is appropriate for jumping however, as if it's adjusted too tight it can interfere with the horse's form. A running martingale won't.

Gadgets are only useful when used in the right hands, and even then most are just excuses to find an easy way out of a training situation. I avoid gadgets as much as possible; if you can't ride a horse in nothing more than a saddle and normal bridle, you need to stop and think about your training techniques a bit more.

Answer 5

There are some cases where they need to be used, but no that should not be the answer to all problems. You need to learn to ride, really /ride/, before you turn to things like that. As a novice, or even someone relatively experienced, you can't always make the call on whether or not your horse really needs that and should try anything and everything before you do use either of those.

With an experienced trainer I have helped tighten martingales up to a foot, and more after a day of riding like that, but those were special circumstances and I would definitely not suggest doing that on a regular basis to just any horse who's acting up.

From what I know tie-downs and standing martingales are very similar, but what we call a 'standing martingale' where I ride doesn't attach to the bit, it attaches to the noseband, I've only ever seen one attached to a bit.

Answer 6

I totally agree with you. I am not sure what Q's/A's you are directly referring too but a tie down should never be used as a "training aid". Putting a tie down on a horse, say a head tosser, is only hiding the problem and is dangerous in many situations as a horse that goes to throw its head and reaches the end of the tie strap could panic, potentially that horse could flip over on the rider. Problems such as this is a result in poor training, these horses need to "fixed" instead of masking the original problem.

Answer 7

Ties downs are the natural horsemanship quick fix of the 70's. Back then any problem could be solved with one. Like natural horsemanship can today. In my opinion, everything has a place and a time to be used. And in the right hands, tie downs and martigales are great training aids. In the hands of the uneducated, anything can be lethal. I see so much advice on here that makes me cringe it is unreal. Example: Breaking an egg on a horses head to cure rearing. Sounds like something a chicken farmer thought up to sell more eggs. And will get you killed. Put a tie down on a rearing horse. Guess what, they can still rear up. And flip over. And get you killed. Anf then you get the "natural horsemanship" cult followers who scream about never needing a tie down. Pure BS. Roping horses and barrell horses use them to brace against, not hold the head down. My horse has points in western pleasure and team roping. Won in the same day. So he does "need" a tie down, but when he has it on, he knows what job he is doing. And for you natural horsemaship gurus, go to Jakes Barnes, Allen Bach, Roy Cooper, Martha Josey or Charmange James and spout your no tie down nonsense to them. You will get laughed out of the arena. What a lot of people here what is a "microwave" horse. Finished in 30 seconds. Most do not want to invest the time and money into training. But still want the polished performance horses that they see winning or everyone complimenting on the trail for their calm ways and great manners.

Answer 8

I must agree 200%! There are natural ways to do things with out having to go get the newest gadget. The more gadgets you buy the less it will work for your horse! What is sad is that people who are supposebly "horse trainer, professionals" can't even somewhat control thier horse without huge bits, and every "control" gadget out thier. The problem is that they have given themselves a false sense of security and a false sense of control and they are passing these "facts" on to other people who take it as the only way. I have to hand it to the industry though...they know how to make money! Just put it out there that the newest thing that can make your horse sane and safe. Problem is...it doesn't work!!! All the gadgets do is try to restrain a horse that internally or externally is expressing how they are feeling!
I think it's time us humans try to listen to how the horse is feeling and start dealing with the issues, not try to hold them back and just deal with the behaviors resulting from issues.

Answer 9

there are A LOT of very un experienced people on here along with a lot of kids. heck seems like mostly kids. if people come on here for advise they should and better be smart enough to pick through the bad and the better answers. i get a kick of ready through peoples answers and yes is is crazy the amount of unexperienced advise that goes through here. i dont disagree with tie downs, if used in a correct manner. but an unexperienced person needs to talk to a trainer IN PERSON and figure what tools and other options they should try and or learn. any advise on here should never be taken over hands on profesional advise. it is dangorous. expesually when there are young kids taking this advise. every horse and rider combo is different and can take different measures of handling thier specific issues. plus there is no way to tell if someone is really xperienced or not on here. and it is very difficult to explain your problem online.

Answer 10

I agree, martingales or tiedowns are not the answer to every horse problem. And yes, if it has to be used, it should be down by a person who has many years of experience. But anyways, even the beginners on here are just trying to help even if their knowledge is limited and usually not helpful.