Training Aids: Guiding the Horse's Work with Precision

Training aids are pieces of equipment designed to support the horse's work, whether on the ground, on the lunge, or ridden, by influencing its posture, balance, and head-neck angle. They never replace the rider's or lunger's work but serve as occasional tools, to be used with understanding and moderation. Each training aid has a specific mode of action: lateral, central, progressive, or self-limiting. The choice depends on the type of work, the horse's level, and the context of use.

The Role of Training Aids

Used correctly, training aids allow for:
• encouraging a more correct posture,
• helping the horse to stretch its back line,
• stabilizing certain phases of work,
• channeling the neck without permanent constraint.

They must always be correctly adjusted, used temporarily, and integrated into thoughtful work.

Pirelli Training Aid

The Pirelli training aid is a lateral training aid, used exclusively for lunge work. It is distinguished by its three complementary elements, offering a progressive, gentle, and adaptable action. It consists of:
• An elastic rubber central segment, ending with two metal rings, which absorbs tension variations, dampens movements, and prevents jerks.
• An adjustable leather strap with a snap hook, attached to the bit or a cavesson.
• A second adjustable leather strap, attached to the surcingle, girth, or under the saddle flaps.

The setup is always lateral: surcingle / saddle / girth → elastic → bit. Never between the front legs. Never with central action.

Nylon Training Aid

Multi-position nylon training aids are lateral, lightweight, and versatile training aids, designed for lunge work. They operate on the same principle as the Pirelli, but without an elastic part. Each strand consists of:
• a nylon strap with multiple adjustment rings,
• a buckle for attachment to a fixed point,
• a snap hook to attach to the bit.

Use: one end to the bit, one end to the surcingle or saddle, with no passage between the front legs and no central action.

Rope Training Aid

Rope training aids are simple and self-contained training aids, widely used for lungeing. They consist of a thick braided rope connected to two adjustable straps with snap hooks attached to the bit rings. Unlike lateral training aids, the rope passes between the front legs, creating a central and symmetrical action. This action encourages the horse to settle into a stable posture, without lateral constraint.

German Reins

German reins are an adjustable training aid used when ridden. They start from the girth, pass through the bit rings, and return to the rider's hands. They only act when the horse excessively opens its head-neck angle, to encourage it to resume a correct posture and promote back tension. They must be used with finesse and discernment, by experienced riders.

Gogue

The gogue is a training aid designed to encourage a relaxed and stretched posture, forward and downward. Its action is progressive: it only intervenes when the horse carries its neck too high or contracted. There are two versions: the fixed gogue and the controlled gogue, usable on the lunge, on the ground, or ridden depending on the model and the rider's level.

Howlett (Thiedeman)

The Howlett training aid, or Thiedeman, is a self-limiting training aid, combining a ring martingale with a principle similar to German reins. It only acts when the horse raises its head excessively, and ceases all action as soon as the posture returns to normal. It is appreciated for daily work, hacking, show jumping, and training young horses.

Breastplates

The breastplate does not act on the horse's posture but on the stability of the saddle. It prevents the saddle from slipping back, especially on round horses, horses without a prominent wither, or on varied terrain. It respects the freedom of the shoulders while keeping the saddle correctly in place.

Hunting Breastcollars

The hunting breastcollar stabilizes the saddle through a multi-point attachment. It is widely used in show jumping, cross-country, and hacking for:
• securing and stabilizing the saddle,
• distributing pressure,
• preventing saddle slippage during sudden movements or jumps.

Martingales

Martingales limit excessive neck raising and stabilize contact. They only act occasionally, when the horse exceeds a certain neck height. They are used for jumping, hacking, or daily work to secure the rider without hindering locomotion.

Thoughtful and Supervised Use

Each training aid serves a specific purpose. Inappropriate or prolonged use can harm the quality of the work. Training aids are support tools, never a miracle solution.