Rhythm beads......

[Vix3n]

One of my horses is extremely spooky(spooks at something and you can see him searching for the next hedge monster lurking !)
Has anyone used them? And did they have any positive effect?

[julia gulia]

I use them to warn "Hunters" that we are approaching. I really don't think they would help to calm a spooky horse though. I have seen them advertised in this way but really don't think it would help in that situation :)

[Vix3n]

I usually sing at the top of my voice and that has no effect so I guess i'm back to the drawing board........AGAIN:eek:
Theres never a quick fix:confused:

[julia gulia]

nope, I agree...no quick fixes:p Is he more relaxed when he is out in company?

[Vix3n]

He doesn't nap or rear in company(YET!) But he is still really spooky and a few people won't ride out with us anymore, because he unsettles their horses. My Sister has no choice though:p Sure we will get there soon. Must be honest though, it would be nice to have a relaxing hack one day, i've muscles in places i never knew existed and on a positive note, i don't 'hit the deck' much anymore. Lightening fast reflexes:D

[julia gulia]

He doesn't nap or rear in company(YET!) But he is still really spooky and a few people won't ride out with us anymore, because he unsettles their horses. My Sister has no choice though:p Sure we will get there soon. Must be honest though, it would be nice to have a relaxing hack one day, i've muscles in places i never knew existed and on a positive note, i don't 'hit the deck' much anymore. Lightening fast reflexes:D


See? It's always good to look on the bright side:p Yeah, you'll get there..it just takes some time;)

[No_Angel]

my horse used to be really spooky, she also used to jog everywhere. I got her a bitless bridle and rode on a long rein for ages and just kept saying 'walk' and making myself sit deep and be kinda floppy (but still sat up straight) and praising her when she did walk, eventually she got it and calmed down loads, especially in the bitless, and now shes virtually bombproof and will go past anything (tho we still eye up newspapers).
Im Making Ted some rhythm beads tho:p I think they will look great and give me a beat to sing to:D

[Vix3n]

Thanks for your replies. I have been toying with the idea of bitless also.
When i got him he was wearing a dutch gag with running martingale(he must have been totally confused).Especially as they were riding him on the lowest ring with only 1 set of reins. Over the past few months i have got him comfortable and responsive in a sweet iron loose ring snaffle and no martingale.
Hes very responsive to ride but scared of the world and his sister. On the ground hes very bargy and bolshy, but sulks when i use my 'don't mess with me voice'.
Slowly but surely we are getting there I just wish he would make eye contact with me. Its almost like he's scared to let you know that he likes you.
OOOOOO gone a bit off topic here!:o
With reguards to the beads, they look pretty and any help with the singing would be greatfully recieved!!;)

[colettybetty]

regarding the beads, I just ordered some, because I'll be interested if she reacts to the beat - might try it for brightening up the odd schooling session, not so sure about listening to them on a 3 hour hack tho...might be tempted to sling 'em !

[julia gulia]

nah, you won't sling 'em:p they aren't that noisy and they look rather spiffy:D I have a fly mask to match the necklace:p

[Rowena]

Now you've really got me!

Pray do tell... What on earth are rhythm beads???

[colettybetty]

a beaded necklace with bells on for horses !

[keep the faith]

sorry for sounding silly but what are they. i've never heard of them

[Vix3n]

Rhythm Beads are more than merely a fun, colourful necklace for your horse!

A set of Natural Horsemanship Rhythm Beads will quite often have a very calming effect for both horse and rider. The soft and rhythmic jingle of the bell helps to eliminate outside distractions that might normally spook your horse, while at the same time providing a soft rhythm that can help the horse to move into a more even and consistent rhythm. This can be very beneficial to riders that have difficulty keeping their movements coordinated with the horse.
Well thats what the advert said guys:D

[colettybetty]

just found a link on www.ebay.co.uk Search for rhythm beads in equestrian and you'll see them and all the info. thought it sounded like fun !

[keep the faith]

thanks. and sorry for hi-jacking your thread vix3n:D

[smaggi]

I use them to warn "Hunters" that we are approaching. I really don't think they would help to calm a spooky horse though. I have seen them advertised in this way but really don't think it would help in that situation :)

I agree with you. I use them during deer hunting season. It's bow season now, so I've started using them when I trail ride. Cisco is very calm anyway and he doesn't even seem to notice them now. The first time I put them on, I was on the ground and he kept shaking his head to make them jingle for the fun of it. I don't think they would really help calm a spooky horse.

[Imp]

Ohh, I've just ordered some lovely glass beads and bells from Ebay to make Megan some. I didn't like the ones being sold, fuss pot aren't I. There's something rather lovely, newage and hippyish about them too don't you think?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v296/lynda788/SMILIES/large-smiley-050.gif

[teabiscuit]

yes Imp they are deffinately pixie-ish and i want some, please post a piccy of Megan modelling them when you finish yours :)

[tazzle22]

These are ones I made for Taz ......just because I like the look and sound of them ..... no deer hunters shooting in UK I need to warn :eek:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b89/tazzle22/100_1943.jpg

I have made some for horses that are a little spooky and the feedback has been good - one horse went past chickens it had never passed before :D

There is also some thoughts that colours or gemstones included can have a beneficial effect (there are stuies that indicate for example that red in prisons not a good idea as it is a stimulating colour ......whereas blue is calming and often used in hospitals etc !!!)

I use mostly wooden beads for mine although include some better quality pony beads and metal beads too.

links to these as I cant seem to shrink them !

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b89/tazzle22/DSC00275.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b89/tazzle22/DSC00271.jpg

[Imp]

Taz looks great! What a beautiful horse :p I love your other ones too.

I'll post piccies of Megan's when all the bits arrive from Ebay and I've done it. I've saved a couple of silver charms to put on it. One Native American Totem Pole and a very small St Christopher; I'm on the look out for a guardian angel now :p

[julia gulia]

These are ones I made for Taz ......just because I like the look and sound of them ..... no deer hunters shooting in UK I need to warn :eek:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b89/tazzle22/100_1943.jpg

I have made some for horses that are a little spooky and the feedback has been good - one horse went past chickens it had never passed before :D

There is also some thoughts that colours or gemstones included can have a beneficial effect (there are stuies that indicate for example that red in prisons not a good idea as it is a stimulating colour ......whereas blue is calming and often used in hospitals etc !!!)

I use mostly wooden beads for mine although include some better quality pony beads and metal beads too.

links to these as I cant seem to shrink them !

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b89/tazzle22/DSC00275.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b89/tazzle22/DSC00271.jpg

Tazzle? those are gorgeous:) :) :) I would never have the patience:rolleyes:
What type of wire did you use? Just curious...I have read that they need to break if they get caught on a tree branch etc. Some of the ads I have seen advertise them as "strong and not easily broken" but the ones I have are designed to break if they get snagged on something.

[Sooty]

The ones I have are threaded onto a leather thong,so hopefully easily broken if they get caught up in anything (or indeed if I get caught up in them...)

Haven't hacked out in them yet as my mare has been injured. Hopefully will get to try this weekend!:)

I got mine from http://www.equinewhispers.co.uk but I must say I like the idea of choosing beads and making my own ...

[julia gulia]

The ones I have are threaded onto a leather thong,so hopefully easily broken if they get caught up in anything (or indeed if I get caught up in them...)

Haven't hacked out in them yet as my mare has been injured. Hopefully will get to try this weekend!:)

I got mine from http://www.equinewhispers.co.uk but I must say I like the idea of choosing beads and making my own ...

Good point Sooty...I am usually the one who gets strangled on low hanging branches much to my boys delight...:p :p :p

[Sarah-B]

I made some for TC on Friday and posted piccies of him modelling them (here (http://www.newrider.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=93454)).

I too chose nice glass, stone & resin beads as I thought the plastic pony beads some sellers use look a bit tacky.....

[Imp]

Sarah-B's TC looks gaw-jus in beads :p

I'm all inspired to make some to sell in my shops now :D :D :D

[Vix3n]

Well maybe he will still spook but he'll look pretty while he does and maybe people won't be so scared of him(might bring out the softer side to him) or maybe they won't notice his ears flat back as they approach:cool:

[julia gulia]

Well maybe he will still spook but he'll look pretty while he does and maybe people won't be so scared of him(might bring out the softer side to him) or maybe they won't notice his ears flat back as they approach:cool:

Get him a matching fly mask and that way people won't notice his ears so much:D
There will be pictures, right?

[julia gulia]

Here's Barney in his matching set:D

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/barnjewels/mobmain1-1.jpg

[india]

Oh. no.....I knew I shouldn't have opened this thread. They sound good, I want some now for my boy!!!!!!:D

Bye the way julia gulia and tazzle22 your horses are stunners. ;)

[Vix3n]

Definately be pictures, my sister and I are off to the craft shop tomorrow to choose lots of pretty beads and bells. Mine will obviously be better than hers!!!:p

[julia gulia]

Oh. no.....I knew I shouldn't have opened this thread. They sound good, I want some now for my boy!!!!!!:D

Bye the way julia gulia and tazzle22 your horses are stunners. ;)

Oh....what a very sweet thing to say. Thank you for that:)

[lor]

Funny that this thread has come up. My young exmoor mare seems to be noise sensitive, so, working at a vets, i took home a couple of cat collars with bells on and looped them through her saddle and martingale, in the hope that the constant noise will de-sensitize and make other scary noises less obvious. I love the way she jingles now! She did seem better on the road the other day:)

[Rowena]

Tazzel and Julia,
Your horses look beautiful! :D :D :D

I want some too.
Tazzel made hers, but where did you get your set from Julia? I was wondering how you prevent the 'necklace from dropping onto the horses ears if he puts his head down for instance?

I think I am also going to visit the bead shop and try and make the 'necklace' part.

Lovely, lovely idea...:D :D :D

[julia gulia]

Tazzel and Julia,
Your horses look beautiful! :D :D :D

I want some too.
Tazzel made hers, but where did you get your set from Julia? I was wondering how you prevent the 'necklace from dropping onto the horses ears if he puts his head down for instance?

I think I am also going to visit the bead shop and try and make the 'necklace' part.

Lovely, lovely idea...:D :D :D

They come with a little hair clip which attaches to the mane;)

Here's where I got mine:) http://stores.ebay.com/Andys-Horsey-Accessories

[Jane.A]

www.equinewhispers.co.uk sell them. Was on their website today and wondered what they were. I found Naf Magic supplememt has really helped my spooky mare.

[Greentchr]

What a fun idea! I think I will get a set of beads and bells for my daughter to make a couple for us.

Since we hack out all the time, and share the ride with wild beasties that seem to snicker as they bound away after jumping out under our noses, perhaps the bells will get them moving away from us sooner. Wouldn't hurt to keep the hunters away, also (bow season is over here, and full-blown shoot-up-anything-that-moves season is is on).

You guys are so creative!

[tazzle22]

thanks everyone for your lovely comments ( Taz will get far too vain if I tell her :rolleyes: ).

Julia , I love the matching set, Taz only has a necklace but I made myself a matching one and have a tag with safety contact info on it so that if I fall off and am knocked out someone knows who I am :)


I make them with thonging and tie in a bow so will come apart if really necessary ... although far more likely to get pulled off over then head I would think ? Mine too are attached to the mane via a hair clip to stop them slipping down when Taz decides I'm not paying attention and grabs a snack from the verge :eek: :eek: :eek:

If I REALLY had the time I would love to make a native american indian breastplate set ..... now they really are gorgeous.


I have two more to make at the mo, one for a friend and one order, both in wooden autumnal colours ( my general purpose favourites ;) )


BTW I also have bells on when shes driving too - some attached to the vehicle and some I can put on her harness ...... trot more when driving and of course that makes the most tinkling :D

[oldbushy]

Those beads on Tazz look sensational. Thanks for posting that lovely photo.
Righteo all you non believers. I have this horse that shies BIG TIME no warning just bang you are on the other side of the road at the speed of light . How I havn't come off yet is amazing. Anyway one sunnt day I took him out paralised with fear of waiting for the first big shy and I had this song on my mind (Kelly Clarkson) and I started singing well he did not shyat all.
He walked calmly with his head level sort of drooped whereas usually his head is up he's on his toes and breathing fast. Now a lady at work was telling me that my singing would have blocked out the noise of the wind etc which would have kept him a bit calmer as there was no scary noise to fear
Apparently they have those little ear covers on showjumpers to block out noise and the cross winds so when I read about the beads I thought to myself ahhh same principle. Now I often sing nursery rhymes to my babies but not at the top of my voice as that would seem unrelaxed and something to get alarmed about. I'm gonna make a set. It's either that principle Julia Gulia or I'm just a great singer ( eh hum) Sorry such a long post. Oh and the other thing I do is when he's going to make a fuss about something I turn his head away and tell him Oh don't be silly it's nothing. Sorry such a long post

[tazzle22]

thank you oldbushy ......... singing is indeed VERY good for "distraction" ..... well it keeps me a little calmer if I think things might be about to get "interesting" .... makes one BREATHE :D ;) :D