Bokt.nl

Citaat:

Used by leading trainers in all breeds
Helps a horse learn to drive up under him and develop more flexing
Also helps to engage his hindquarters, and puts him in the proper position to be more supple
Complete with a pair of fleece lined leather hobbles
Comes with 1 pair Mountain Climbing Cord comfortable ropes

Citaat:

The bit is connect to the hobbles in such a way that as long as the horses head is out of the desired position there are tugs on the bit from the movement of the horse's hocks. If the head is placed and held in the desired position the horse will not feel anything in it's mouth.

According to the translation it is being used to collect and gather the horse....

Citaat:

Hock hobbles have been used by trainers trying to achieve the very trendy "trope"(lope/trot). The "trope" is that bizarre haunches in slower than slow gait that was passing as a lope in the AQHA WP classes. The hock hobbles connected from hocks through thr front legs, through the bit rings connecting up on the poll. The theory being that the horse would learn to keep his head low, and his steps small and go very very slow. AQHA has amended it's rules to reflect the cruelity of the inflicted "trope". The new rules call for a more forward lope, and an extended lope to be called for in the show ring. I have never used hock hobbles. I have gotten in for training many horses that have been "trained" in them. Most have extensive hock and ankle damage.

lauraax schreef:

Ja, inderdaad.
Maar als je een goed getraind pleasure paard hebt denk ik dat dit weinig kwaad kan als je hem niet te strak zet in ieder geval..

Citaat:

There is a trainer in my area that literally killed a horse with hock hobbles. Commonly called "running hobbles". Complete oxymoron. The action of running hobbles is supposed to make your horses drive under themselves deeper with their hocks to avoid contact on the bit. I have seen it used alot on your higher energy breeds think: Arabians, dutch harness horses, morgans, etc.....Think arched neck, btv, nose to chest to avoid contact, and sitting down on their haunches to relieve pain on the mouth.

It was a barely touched EXTREMELY HIGH ENERGY BREED, 3 year old. When it felt the pull of the "pulley system" on it's face, instead of stepping under neath itself with it's hocks, it reared, pulley system knocked it on it's tail, slamming it down hard on it's hindquarters, and breaking it's spine. Horse had to be euthed in the indoor.

Please don't ever use these. I was a young girl at the time this happened at the training barn. I was not present, but hearing the story from the people that were there and seeing the tears in their eyes. Heartbreaking.
The trainer traveled on the NRHA circuit some time ago. Actually a nice man. Not known for gentle breaking techniques obviously, but nonetheless not a cruel man. More just a product of his environment, following traditional methods of starting this breed that had been used before he was born. With the owner of the horse, that gosh forbid, she should do any 'preschool' on the horse before sending it to the trainers and expecting miracles in 30 days.

This is why as horse people we need to think outside the box. Just because something is TRADITIONAL, doesn't mean it's right or the only way. If you are a newbie and are taking lessons from somebody who has "BEEN IN THE BUSINESS FOREVER" don't be afraid to question practices, or let them make you feel stupid for doing so. If your gut tells you it's wrong. You're probably right.