I have a question about the proper way to put a stud chain on a horse.?

Question

I have to use a stud chain on a big Norwegian Fjord gelding at a therapeutic ridding program I work at.I had one on him this morning, but I just wasnt comfortable with the way I had it on him, and I want to have it on correctly so I dont hurt him.Its been about ten years since the last time I used one, and It seems to have escaped my brain the proper way to put it on.

Answer 1

we just taught our campers that today at my therapeutic riding place!!

but, theres a few ways to do it.

one is to bring the clip through the halter on the horses right, over its nose, and clip it to the parallel ring on the left.

(   http://web.cetlink.net/~farrier/GangWay....     )

the other, is to do the same as above only wrap it around the nose band (its easier, the chain wont slide down his nose)

(   http://www.canterusa.org/newengland/imag...     )

both of the above will usually leave you with alot of extra chain which can be dangerous, especially if your holding it when a horse decides to pull back.

the third- is to do what you did in the first one, only instead of clipping it on the left ring, you loop it through the left ring and then attach it to the upper ring on the left (where the brow band comes from) this provides the most control, and you ge control of his entire head as opposed to just his nose.  this is commonly used in halter classes, but they go under the chin.  this is dangerous, you always want to go over the nose

( http://www.imaginationfarm.com/CruiserJe...   ) like this but OVER the nose.

fourth (and REALLY uncommon except on the tracks..) is to do the first one, and then instead of clipping it to the loop on the left, bring it under the chin and attach it to the brow band loop on the right... but this is un common for working (not racing) horses.

(  http://www.canterusa.org/newengland/imag...  )

EDIT: i'm telling you DO NOT run the chain under a horses nose.  it will make them rear if you pull in on it! it makes them feel restricted is *ISN'T SAFE* it also doesn't loosen when you release.  its like a dog chain, you need to put it on right so that it releases when you let go.

EDIT: sorry, my links dont work and i cant figure out why, the first 2 might work now though

Answer 2

Even with the stallions I have worked with, I have never once needed a stud chain.

discussions:

http://www.raraequus.com/articles/horse_...

http://www.charleswilhelm.com/html/Ridin...

excerpt from :http://www.newjerseyhorse.com/article/Ly...

*same thing as what Kari said and I agree also with how she said to attach*

"thread the stud chain end through the side ring of the halter on the side you will be working from, over the nose and snap it either on the opposite side ring or to the opposite upper halter ring. At least one hand’s length of chain, about five inches, should extend down from the side ring. Too much chain hanging down will swing and interfere with the horse. Too little chain will be too tight and cause you to lose sensitivity through the longe line, and the horse will become dull.

Answer 3

Take the end with the clip on it.  Run it through the ring on the left side of the halter, then run it over the horses nose and through the ring on the right side.  Then, attach the clip to the TOP ring on the right side (by the strap that runs under the throatlatch).

So, the chain runs across the horses nose and up the right side of the horses face (that way he doesn't have a big clip running across his nose!) and it also shortens up the chain so that you're not hanging onto it (that can really hurt if you're hanging onto the chain part and it gets pulled on!).

They can be great for extra control - they really aren't mean - it's all in how you use them!

Answer 4

Kari is right, if you run the chain through the ring on the left then clip on the lower ring on the right, it will pull the halter over the right eye.  Clip it to the top ring on the right.  I thought Norwegian Fjords are quiet, I've never worked with them though.  I also thought riding school horses were quiet, I am surprised you need a chain.

Answer 5

If you have to use a stud chain, and I agree with the first answer you received, but if you are going to do it anyway, don't put it over the nose.  Run it under the chin, with one wrap around the chin strap of the halter.  You feed the chain through the halter ring on the left side, wrap it around the chin strap, and clip it to bottom of the ring on the right side.

EDIT to TB eventer: Only an experienced handler should use a stud chain over the nose, or around the entire muzzle.  By spiraling the chain around the halter chin strap it will have minimum effect, and assist in stopping the horse.  It will not tighten and be unable to release because it is wrapped around the halter chin strap.  A stud chain used in this fashion will not cause a horse to rear....a horse that typically rears will have more freedom to rear than with a nose chain, but then, no inexperienced handler should ever under any circumstances be handling such a horse or using a stud chain in an attempt to control it.

I would hope the horse, at a therapeutic riding camp and being handled by people other than seasoned professionals, would not be given to rearing. And I can't imagine why campers at your therapeutic riding facility are being taught to use stud chains?  Buy some nylon rope halters, put your horses in training with a natural horsemanship trainer and provide safe animals for your handlers and your guests.

Answer 6

The proper way to use a stud chain is to put it in the garbage can.  If you can't lead a horse without one, the horse is unsafe for you to handle and the horse needs some basic ground work and training.   I cannot imagine a stud chain on a "therapeutic" riding horse!!!