We elect not to ride horses in training aids as we believe in letting a horse develop his balance under the weight of a rider naturally without any outside influence, Also we wish to be able to detect the most subtle of changes in a horse's way of going (positive or negative) as such changes tell us much, enabling us to adjust the working programme accordingly, call in a chiropractor, etc. if necessary and so on.  Training aids work to influence a horse's way of going but if a horse is compensating in some way, something that is often difficult to detect at the best of times, then this can be masked when using a training aid.

However we appreciate and understand that in certain situations, with certain horses, the use of a training aid for ridden work can be of great assistance particularly for the less experienced rider training a novice horse or one that needs correcting. 

There is the chicken-and-egg situation where riding position is not helped by a horse that for example is throwing its head about but yet is may be poor rider position (as well as riding) which is contributing (if not wholly the cause) to the head tossing (etc).  In these instances the use of a training aid which allows the rider to think more about their position can be invaluable.  Whilst a training aid should not be used to mask or correct any evasion - as the cause of the evasion should be established and eliminated - another situation where its use can be of benefit is for horses which have got into the habit of (e.g) hollowing perhaps from a previously ill-fitting saddle, poor riding in the past, discomfort from another cause and so on,by helping them realise that they can indeed lower their heads so that muscles begin to be used more correctly. A lot of riders, whist riding well, do not have the necessary experience or expertise to ride a horse into better outline.  So rather than have weeks and indeed months of frustration and a worsening scenario, what simpler than to use a training aid in the short term.

One of two training aids we recommend to clients is the EquiAmi.  We like the concept of how the Lunging Aid works - and indeed have endorsed it - and the riding aid works in a very similar way, that of encouraging the horse to work in a lowered, round and soft outline which leads him to become more accepting of the hand and then work into the contact properly.  It is important however, as with any lunging aids, that the horse is moving forwards so as to promote engagement of the hindquarters.

Riders often don't know what they should be feeling or how to achieve that feeling but by using the EquiAmi Riding Aid, they can learn what they should be feeling - and importantly, how to achieve it for themselves and ultimately dispense with the aid altogether.

The EquiAmi Riding Aid is very easy to fit and can be used for polework but not jumping.  It comes complete with an instructional DVD.

So how does the EquiAmi Riding Aid work?

The EquiAmi does not work by creating any pull whatsoever on the horse's mouth as it is not fixed to the bit. It's unique design places the horse inside a self-centering loop which runs over the head/neck which is connected to a chest strap which fits on the girth.  As the horse adopts a more rounded outline, it is immediately rewarded by the training aid becoming looser. When the training aid is working at its best it is applying absolutely no pressure and the horse is working in a relaxed manner. The loop is self-centering and is not fixed so the horse is unable to lean on the aid so has to learn to balance and carry itself.

With this Aid, designer Hilary Bentley, has found produced a very unique, but incredibly simple piece of equipment which helps to promote the correct way of going without force.

We are happy to recommend the EquiAmi Riding Aid because it does not force a horse into an outline, yet he cannot lean so he has to learn to carry himself thereby developing his balance and his abiity to take weight behind. Nor does not create any kind on unnatural pull on the mouth. It is an aid which works in harmony with the horse rather than by using pressure to promote submission.