Ok, as a rule I don’t like training aids…I think they’re a quick fix for people who can’t train properly. However, I’m helping train a horse to work on the bit and in an outline but he’s too small for me to ride. Can you recommend any lunging aids?
Thanks, just to mention this horse is not a youngster


I do not like "training aids" either.

I would prefer to use just side reins and make sure that he is going forward and tracking up from behind. He will then naturally drop into an outline. I believe that the face should be no more than vertical to the ground and the horse should be holding the bit, ready to increase speed or come back when asked without resistance. Try correctly placed trotting poles which should help him to track up – ie his hind feet should be stepping almost into the foot prints left by the fore feet.

Whatever you do don’t fall for these draw reins. They need a rider with strong leg and seat aids and force a horse into an ugly, over bent way of going.

Correct schooling under saddle, ie poles, many turns and circles, leg yielding will help some, I know you cannot ride him, but when the owner can that might be something to point out.

And if the horse is older, it is likely that it will take some time, but I still say correct riding is the only way!

I have noticed that some horses simply are not physically built to go in an outline – and who first said that they should go with arched necks? And all these training aids are a waste of money and tantamount to cruelty.

I was wondering how i get my horse Wheaties to frame up while im lunging him and riding him. Is their a special training device to aid in this and hold their neck in place? He is only 4 years old so i want to be able to teach him to fraame up.

Thanks Alot!

Side reins are very helpful when lunging. If you don’t have an experienced friend or trainer to demonstrate their use, then I would suggest you find a training book or video (I like GG Bailey’s Hunter Under saddle video, it shows the use of sidereins in detail) so that you know how high to fasten them at first, how tight to use them at first and what sort of reins to use. Many trainers use regular reins, but I think there is alot of benefit in the elastic reins, the elastic gives so the horse doesn’t get to contained and restricted feeling at first, and is less likely to panic.
If you lunge your horse in sidereins, make sure you don’t start with them too tight, just take him somewhat past his normal frame of movement. And keep the first day or two to just a walk and trot, when they canter most horses tend to raise their head a bit so it can be scarey for them with sidereins at first. I would lunge with sidereins for a week before worrying about framing up your horse while riding.
Once again, i would really recommend a trainers lessons a time or two for framing a horse, it will make your job alot easier. Just remember that you need as much leg as you do hand to frame a horse. I begin with my horse at a halt. I apply pressure with both legs at the same time I gather both reins. I do not release pressure until the horse drops his neck and flexes at the pole. So that means I keep pressure if he backs up, or if he bobs his head, or if he flexes at the pole but doesn’t drop his neck, etc. But it is essential that you release pressure the second he drops his neck and head, even if it isn’t perfect. Give him a few seconds to think about it, then apply leg and hand pressure again. If you are really prompt on giving him relief when he’s in the proper position, and don’t reward the wrong action, your horse can learn the basics in one quick lesson. Then its just the matter of doing the same thing at a walk, trot and canter, and this process can take months or years to get perfect.
Good luck and keep safe! A properly framed horse will not only look better, but move better and is worth the effort.