Well the question put on the comment section re the lunging method;
“ Peter, do you never thought of having a Wells Cavesson? So simple, as used at the Spanish Riding school? “
“ Peter, do you never thought of having a Wells Cavesson? So simple, as used at the Spanish Riding school? “
I have dug up a photo of the Wells Cavesson so it is clear why I do not use them, nor do I recommend them. In this picture the horse looks happy, content, heck almost smiling. It is clean cut and certainly looks easy to fit and use. The leather work is beautiful, clean, soft, and traditional. Ah you can’t beat traditional eh?
Now look at the photo again and look directly at the point behind the horses left ear. Very clearly a direct pressure point. Naturally there will be one on the other side behind the right ear. Between both ears is the delicate area of the poll at the top of the vertebral column. Look at the top strap below the throat latch area and imagine tightening the buckle so the cavesson doesn’t move from side to side. Where is the pressure going?
Look at the middle strap. Now we get a double whammy with this one. Not only does this one increase poll pressure it also compresses the flesh of the cheeks inwards so that should the lower strap actually allow the horse to chew or swallow there is a good chance he will damage the inside of his cheeks by the edges of the rear molars. How pleasant.
Lower strap we really hit bingo. Tighten the strap sufficiently to hold the cavesson in place and instantly direct pressure on the unprotected nasal bone. Of course it adds again to poll pressure as they all do, but this one gets to kick in a third gem. It restricts the horse from having freedom of the lower jaw to relax, chew, and swallow when he wishes. (Just like any tight noseband). When this is happens the limited movement of the rear part of the tongue which is attached to the masseter muscle totally affects relaxation of the jaw and looseness of the neck. Here is a technical quote;
‘The action of the muscle during bilateral contraction of the entire muscle is to elevate the mandible, raising the lower jaw. Elevation of the mandible occurs during the closing of the jaws. The masseter parallels the medial pterygoid muscle, but it is stronger.’
When I ride or when I lunge I want my horse to have freedom of the lower jaw, free from pressure all around his face and I sure as hell want to be completely free from poll pressure. I want my horse to be confident to breathe, swallow, move his tongue, and relax while he is working. I don't want him distracted by any type of headache.
And one more thing. Don’t forget that honking great metal and leather buckle that bounces up and down in front of the face. Who hasn’t seen a horse get bopped on the nose by this at least once?
‘So, simple to use, used by the Spanish Riding school’….I’m not disagreeing. But maybe the Spanish Riding School have different priorities? I don’t know I’ve never been there. Is one way right and one way wrong? Who knows? I don’t. I do know they are DIFFERENT ways and I sometimes choose not to be a sheep and follow the herd because that is how the herd have always done things. I feel I owe it to my horses to question ANYTHING that could improve their comfort, well being and willingness to work. And I’m not at all saying everyone should do what I do. You’re all grown ups and have the smarts to make your own choices and make them wisely. Oh no, wait, those plaid/ chequered jodhs! Not good choices… Just saying like
P.S. For those of you have not seen the cheap bits of tat and string etc. that I use for my own lunging you can see it here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juA-0B8kSlM
Now look at the photo again and look directly at the point behind the horses left ear. Very clearly a direct pressure point. Naturally there will be one on the other side behind the right ear. Between both ears is the delicate area of the poll at the top of the vertebral column. Look at the top strap below the throat latch area and imagine tightening the buckle so the cavesson doesn’t move from side to side. Where is the pressure going?
Look at the middle strap. Now we get a double whammy with this one. Not only does this one increase poll pressure it also compresses the flesh of the cheeks inwards so that should the lower strap actually allow the horse to chew or swallow there is a good chance he will damage the inside of his cheeks by the edges of the rear molars. How pleasant.
Lower strap we really hit bingo. Tighten the strap sufficiently to hold the cavesson in place and instantly direct pressure on the unprotected nasal bone. Of course it adds again to poll pressure as they all do, but this one gets to kick in a third gem. It restricts the horse from having freedom of the lower jaw to relax, chew, and swallow when he wishes. (Just like any tight noseband). When this is happens the limited movement of the rear part of the tongue which is attached to the masseter muscle totally affects relaxation of the jaw and looseness of the neck. Here is a technical quote;
‘The action of the muscle during bilateral contraction of the entire muscle is to elevate the mandible, raising the lower jaw. Elevation of the mandible occurs during the closing of the jaws. The masseter parallels the medial pterygoid muscle, but it is stronger.’
When I ride or when I lunge I want my horse to have freedom of the lower jaw, free from pressure all around his face and I sure as hell want to be completely free from poll pressure. I want my horse to be confident to breathe, swallow, move his tongue, and relax while he is working. I don't want him distracted by any type of headache.
And one more thing. Don’t forget that honking great metal and leather buckle that bounces up and down in front of the face. Who hasn’t seen a horse get bopped on the nose by this at least once?
‘So, simple to use, used by the Spanish Riding school’….I’m not disagreeing. But maybe the Spanish Riding School have different priorities? I don’t know I’ve never been there. Is one way right and one way wrong? Who knows? I don’t. I do know they are DIFFERENT ways and I sometimes choose not to be a sheep and follow the herd because that is how the herd have always done things. I feel I owe it to my horses to question ANYTHING that could improve their comfort, well being and willingness to work. And I’m not at all saying everyone should do what I do. You’re all grown ups and have the smarts to make your own choices and make them wisely. Oh no, wait, those plaid/ chequered jodhs! Not good choices… Just saying like
P.S. For those of you have not seen the cheap bits of tat and string etc. that I use for my own lunging you can see it here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juA-0B8kSlM
