Horse trends like using a device you really do not need but every1 else uses so you do too?

Question

When I started getting into contesting/barrel racing 3 years ago I was told & thought I needed a tie down just because I was contesting. So I bought one & tried it on my horse & it didn't help, it made him worse actually. The tie down pissed him off so he started trying to throw his head which he would never do before. I realize a few people need them, like i need one for my new horse, but I'm positive not all of the horses need them (i have seen some ride w/o them & are perfectly fine). I was wondering if there are any other horse trends people follow just because every1 else is doin it or if any1 else has noticed that people just use tie downs because?

Answer 1

If it ain't broke don't fix it.  I don't buy stuff or put stuff on my horse just because it is in fashion or because others are doing it.  I always ask myself...will this benefit me or my horse?  How?  Does the potential benefit justify the cost/risks?  

I do use a tie down on one of my horses, I put it on him when he nearly broke my nose by throwing his head up.  I have two other horses that don't need it though.

Answer 2

Oh there are TONS of those little "trends" floating around my area. Hmm, lets see-  A few people I know were spurs every time they get on a horse. They never use them, nor do they need them. They are sort of a fashion statement or something for them... Everyone and their mother uses a breast collar and the majority on horses that don't need them doing disciplines that don't require them. The whole tie-down thing of course. Every western rider at the barn I used to board at used them, even the little girls who just walked around once a week on their ponies, just because everyone else did it.

Answer 3

I ride without a tiedown! Truthfully, I view the tie down as a crutch. I think people use it as a shortcut to training rather than putting a good foundation on their horse! A well trained horse doesn't need a tie down! The whole balance "explanation" is false...if it were balance, how would horses without tie downs EVER get around barrels? I say it's a crutch and you don't need them!

Answer 4

How about wearing spurs?  Not all horses need a spur, but I think people think it makes them look cool or makes them look more the part.

How about breast straps?  They seem to have become more of a fashion statement than a necessity.  Now, when we trail ride, we use them because the terrain we ride on is hilly to mountainous and they keep our saddles from sliding back too far, but most people just think they look good.

How about crops?  Most well trained horses do not need to have a crop used on them, but so many people carry them.  I think it's silly.

How about bell boots?  I have seen more horses out on the trail with bell boots.....they serve no purpose whatsoever on the trails I've been riding on.

Answer 5

I've had horses that you HAD to use a tie down or standing martingale on it was far easier to have one on that particular horse than to have their head in your face (Ever been smacked in the face by a horse's head?  Trust me, it's NOT fun!).

I ALWAYS have a breast collar on my saddle, because you don't know where you're going to end upon a trail or if you may end up ponying one of the horses of your friends if something went wrong.  I don't think I can remember NOT using a breast collar since the 1960's.  Most of my horses were running QH or TB type and having a breast collar on them was a definate need to keep the saddle from sliding back.

As for bell boots, I've had horses that have gotten spooked on the trail by something and have managed to really nail the bulb of your heel, which takes a few weeks to heal up!  Same with splint boots, the ONE time in the over 20 years I didn't have splint boots on my old QH gelding, I popped a splint.  

Each person is an individual and the reasons they use the extra gear really does have a purpose.