Gadgets or Safety Measures?

 'A horse only needs a snaffle bridle and saddle.' It is a common thing to hear now, that a horse should only need a simple snaffle bit and a saddle, no breastplate, no martingale, no 'gadgets'. Are these items really gadgets? Are people taking this theory too far?

A breastplate is leather straps that are used to stop the saddle from slipping back along the horse when jumping or trekking or even if the saddle just has a tendency to slip back. A martingale can either attach to a breastplate or replace a breastplate and is used to either help keep control when the horse throws his head up or to stop the reins from going over the horse's head. People also claim that any bit except a simple loose ring or eggbutt snaffle is harsh and an unnecessary gadget.

I personally think that accusing these devices as being unnecessary gadgets is harsh and uncalled for because sometimes, having these gadgets can be the difference between a safe horse and a dead rider. If the horse mucks around and puts his rider in danger because he lifts his head and evades the bit or simply ignores it, it can be extremely dangerous and using a martingale so the horse can't lift his head to evade the bit or changing the bit to something a bit stronger just to keep the horse's attention is completely reasonable.

I feel disappointed when I see a top rider using strong and complicated gag bits on their horses because they sometimes use the same style of bit on every horse whether they need it or not and it seems that competing has become more about who has the most bling, instead of who truly rides well. It is highly unlikely for a team of 5-6 horses to all require a strong bit, but I read in a magazine last month that for a certain top showjumper, the style this season seems to be large and flashy gag bits and no nosebands. I find this just appalling because which bit a horse is ridden in should have absolutely nothing to do with looks.

There is a popular theory at the moment that a horse only needs a simple snaffle bridle and saddle and I agree to this theory to an extent. I believe a horse only needs the bare minimum of what it takes to control him, but I do not consider martingales and breastplates etc as gadget, but more as safety measures. I am also extremely disappointed whenever I see  top rider that is supposed to be a role model using a harsh bit just for looks. Sometimes I can't help but wonder what happened?

Until next time
-KaimanawaKim