Stallion chains

[Waikato Valuta]

In tellington Touch are you realy ment to use a stallion chain and if so WHY???

I dont see any reson you would need one but to cause pain!

[Peace]

I noticed that, too - I have one of her books, and she says to thread a stud chain under the noseband of the halter. I don't think she means for people to use it cruelly, though. As I remember, it's meant to allow the handler to get better results with less pulling.

I've only ever used one with one particular horse. We have a large gelding at my barn who will tow me like a water-skiier without a chain. With one, though, the teensiest, tiniest tug brings him right to heel, and I only have to do it once to get his attention. So in his case, I think it's kinder to use it than to have to be nagging at him all the time.

Like you, though, I don't think I agree with starting out with a chain on all horses as a matter of course. Quanah (knock wood) has never needed one - well, maybe once, when he pitched a little bit of a fit :o , but since there wasn't a chain handy, we worked it out without one!:)

[Wally]

I'd never take a stallion to a show without a stallion chain!:D :D what else are they going to play with during the hours and hours of standing about waiting for the judge to make thier mind up!:D :D I hadn't realised it was supposed to be a control thing!:D

[Rakeli]

Lol Wally :D

Linda T-J makes it very clear that the chain is not used to hurt the horse. It's to give the horse clearer signals, and it means that the handler can be much more gentle. She uses a special soft rope on young horses and others who need it.

I would say that using a stallion chain the way she says is much more preferable to using a pressure halter (god I hate them!).

R

[Dizzy]

With the TTeam chain its fed through the nearside noseband ring of the head collar, over the top of the noseband, then under, and fed through the off side noseband ring, then it is taken up to the offside cheek ring, threaded through that, then turned back to run a little way back down the cheek then clipped onto itself. Does that make sense :D .

Sounds fussy, but simplified - its through, over, under, through, up, through, down and clip. To lead from the offside, you do just the same, but thread through the offside noseband ring.

The weight of the chain should always be in the handlers hand, not dangling so it'll tighten. It should be used with a 'wand' (schooling whip) which is held in the outside hand, in conjunction with your voice commands, your position, and body/wand language.

Before schooling using the chain, the horse should feel happy and be relaxed about with being stroked all over with the 'wand'.

In the past I have been taught and used TTeam, using the chain. I must admit, that I don't use the chain anymore. I have no problem schooling in hand using all the other aids and methods TTeam taught me.

One thing I will say, is that I was lucky enough to be taught under the supervision of a TTeam practioner, using the chain is not easy, to me its not something to be taught by reading a book - chains used incorrectly are very severe, they tighten very quickly and you have to physically loosen them, they don't often do it on thier own when the pressure is released.

But putting the chain issue to one side, TTeam is a fantastic way to train, relax and get know horses. Its nothing to do with control in a forceful way, its teaches you to assess, desensitise, explain, show and teach your horse, combined with the touches and exercises it also develelops a bond and trust, helps to pin point physical sore bits and increases suppleness.

[floppy]

We use chains too...i mean leading a ''lovely'' stallion down a semi steep slope back to his stables..or back upto the field is hard work and without a chain you might aswell run along side him to keep up...but with the chain he walks quietly beside you.

One Question though - is there any sense using a chain if instead of putting it over the nose band you put it under the chin?

[Waikato Valuta]

why would you use a stallion chain on a quiet horse with an inexperienced owner?

[floppy]

I was only asking about it hanging under the chin because a lady goes riding and takes her husbands horse with her as a hand horse and she uses the chain under the chin and i was wondering if you use the chain under the chin if it has any effects or if using a lead rope would do the same thing.

[Janette]

I was shown how to use one on Star - a very stroppy mare, who knew how to use her size and weight to get her own way. It was attached in the way descibed above, and used as a lead rope, for general moving around, to get her used to it. Then, when she dug her toes in and said no, the only person putting ANY pressure on was Star - I just stood and held - no pulling. She could release the pressure any time she wanted just by going forwards. This method worked with loading her, because she was a s*d to load, and my dad refused to take us anywhere last year because of this. Now, no problem, no stopping, no sulking, no slouching:D
She walks up the ramp of the trailer as though there never was a problem. Best thing ever invented.

[Tootsie4U]

we call them stud chains over here and to be honest its the only way we lead some horses. Its an added safety measure with the stallions as it gives an extra bit of control and helps to reinforce commands. Never is it meant to purposely cause pain, but if you have a half ton animal rushing to get after a mare as your leading him, you need all the help you can get.

[Mehitabel]

One Question though - is there any sense using a chain if instead of putting it over the nose band you put it under the chin?

a girl i know at the yard (and don't get on with) used to do this - she used to sometimes ride buster, my ex-looney warmblood (still looney, not mine any more) and whenever she brought him in or put him out, she would put the rope under his chin like a curb chain... and every time, he would come trotting merrily into the yard with her desperately running behind him. i had more sense (and learned from my experiences), and put it over his nose or used a bridle.
so, i 've seen it done, but never seen it work!

[Greymar Geneva]

You can also achieve the same effects with boshy horses doing the same thing with the lead rope threaded over the nose and then through the clip ring of the headcollar - make sense? You need a long lead rope though. Its softer then a chain and instantly available!!