
CHOOSING the right training aid and putting ourselves in horses' shoes to benefit their welfare were key points at a leading conference.
Russell MacKechnie-Guire gave an overview of lungeing training aids and polework, at the Horses Inside Out Conference (17-18 February).
Also on day one, Nicolas de Brauwere, head of welfare and behaviour at Redwings Horse Sanctuary, called on equestrians to take time to understand the limitations of the human perspective when making decisions on welfare.
The conference theme was growth and development, focusing on physical and mental progress of horses.
Dr MacKechnie-Guire stressed the importance of thinking of each horse as an individual, and what the aim is to achieve, before considering which training aid to use. He also cited the need to understand exactly how training aids work, urged practitioners to check that clients are proficient in lungeing and in fitting any aids.
"The other thing we have to remember with training aids, is does the horse have the capacity for it?" he said.
"We have to look at the individual horse - that's the theme in all this. So when you're considering using a training aid, be mindful of the horse's posture.
"Remember, not only are you altering the mechanics of the horse, we put them on a circle, and add a handler who may not have the skill to lunge efficiently, which alters it further."
This story is from the February 29, 2024 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 29, 2024 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In

Super Sonic steps up
Oakley Nash lands a 128cm double with \"wild\" project pony and a determined 138cm rider is in flying form

Townend takes two
A familiar face and a potential future star triumph for Oliver Townend, as the eventing season gets under way

Last-minute dash ends in triumph
A change of plan leads to victory and a home-bred star proves that talent runs in the family

William's the Lad
It's back-to-back victories in the hunt race he sponsors for a delighted – and generous – William Fox Grant

Saving Britain's in-hand show tradition
Kim Wilson investigates how Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain is tackling the decline of in-hand classes and working to secure the future of youngstock

'This unspoilt hunting heaven
A visit by the RS Surtees Society to Northumberland provides a showcase for the Percy hounds and their hunting country

Local hero is all heart
A Borders team lifts Scotland's richest hurdle for the second year with a gutsy six-year-old and a £1,000 purchase richly rewards a patient owner

Access all areas Gavin Cromwell
The former farrier is sending his strongest team of Cheltenham Festival runners yet. Jennifer Donald meets the team behind a remarkable success story

Saffron Cresswell
The young event rider, who suffered a serious spinal injury in a fall last year, talks to Pippa Roome about her journey so far and what the future holds

Daphne
This contrary mare may spin like a top and be uncatchable in the summer, but she's \"terrifyingly brave\" and absolutely brilliant in the hunting field