Bungee rein and herbal sachets

[Trewsers]

So many questions.....:D Right, firstly somebody on my new yard has recommended some Global herb sachets - calmers - have any of you used them and what did they actually achieve? My mare is taking quite a bit of settling and I thought they might help her in the short term. Secondly, I am curious about a bungee rein (think thats what its called) I saw somebody on my old yard using one - are they necessary / do they work? She said she used it to keep her horse in an outline? is this true? Also one other question, if you could recommend one really good book for helping build a relationship with your horse what would it be? ie, one that tells you about their behaviour both on the ground and in the saddle.

[Little Gem]

Hi,

Have used & know of others who have used most of the Global Herbs range. Fantastic Stuff!!:)
The instant stress care sachets work & I know people who use them for themselves too.
We use Mag calm quite a lot just to take the edge of my horse but it doesn't affect his performance.
It is a vet who does Global Herbs products. Helpline available too.

[Trewsers]

Thats encouraging then, I've ordered some up - just got to wait for them to land now:D laid back mare here I come........!!!

[KateWooten]

Drum roll... y'all know what I'm going to recommend ........ Clinton Anderson's 'Downunder Horsemanship - Establising Respect and Control for the English and Western Rider' ... I now own maybe a hundred horse and rider training books, horse understanding books, equine ethology books .... some are more advanced than CA's step-by-step with photos for everything book ... but for clarity, fun exercises to do that really work to start that relationship the right way, I don't think he can be beaten.

[Trewsers]

Thanks for that Katewooten, I'll get a copy ordered up - I like to get books on recomend - there are soooo many out there, and I've wasted money before. :)

[KateWooten]

yay ! I hope you like it as much as I did :) btw when my little mare used to be nervy, high strung and out of control, I had her on 'calm and cool' a pelleted supplement for a few weeks. That calmed her enough so that I could get my act together !! Then working on all the CA exercises (it's just basically that the leader is the one who moves the other's feet so he shows you how to move their feet) well, after a couple of weeks of that, we no longer needed the calming supplements, so just think of them as a temporary thing to get you started and you'll do great.

[andreaB]

would i be right in thinking that the bungee just puts pressure on the poll so encouraging it to drop its head as opposed to working in a true outline because the horse is engaged?

[Trewsers]

That calmed her enough so that I could get my act together !!.


This is exactly what I need!!! She is just soooo nervy at the moment its not true, this morning on our way to the field she jumped violently at a gate which creaked in the breeze....:eek: Poor gal, I feel for her, its all new surroundings, but it doesn't help me when I'm on her back - I'm convinced I have a guardian angel - who keeps me in special glue to seat-pants....:D :p

[Trewsers]

would i be right in thinking that the bungee just puts pressure on the poll so encouraging it to drop its head as opposed to working in a true outline because the horse is engaged?

Thats what I thought. I haven't had any lessons for a while but I was just learning how to get my horse working on her bit - so hopefully when I start having them again, I'll get lots of advice and explanation. A girl on my old yard used a bungee rein, but I was never quite sure why. She seemed to think it stopped her horse throwing its head up.

[teabiscuit]

how do you attach a bungee? what is one?

[Trewsers]

Well, the one I've seen seemed to thread through the bridle underneath and it looked flexible. I'm still unclear about the benefits tho.

[teabiscuit]

does it attach to the girth between the horses legs like draw reins do?

[Trewsers]

does it attach to the girth between the horses legs like draw reins do?

Not sure, hopefully my new instructor will be able to enlighten me! :)

[Laura+Phantom]

A bungee is typically an elastic cord which runs over the horse's poll, down each side of the bridle, through he bit rings and clips on to the D rings of the saddle or the girth. The reaction i've seen from horses wearing them is panic or trying to rear! I think they're better than draw reins, as they have a lot of 'give', but I still wouldn't use one, I think it will only produce a false outline.

[joey_olop]

I use the bungee rein for lunging its very good because its elastic it dosnt force the head down like other training aids, its got a bit of give!

[teabiscuit]

thanks for that everyone. :)