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I'm back. Heather and Julie left. We had a good ride, and since all my horses got rode I'm done for the day. Kinda nice.

Tie downs: I've always been curious why there seems to be some prejudice towards tiedowns among the English set. They serve a pupose for some events more then just holding the head down. They are for exactly what you are saying a horse does with one on. Lean into it. Purpose: So that for things like getting their butts under them for turn a barrel or dragging a cow for a team roper, it gives them something to brace against. For trails and just playing I don't use them unless I am riding a horse the throws it's head up and back. I've had my lip busted and glasses broke by a horse that did that. Not going to happen again:) Granted their are some people who just throw one on and don't teach a horse to stay on the bit, but I use one for the purpose they are designed for. Other times I use a running martingale.

The mare I had was bad to get her head up when excited. She'd never been taught proper head control. So on competitions I carried a tie down strap with me so I could use it if she was being loony. I learned that some of the judges were very prejudice about them and would deduct points for "rubs" on the horses nose, when there really wasn't, just the hair roughed up. So I'd just leave it off if the judges were around.

Same thing happened sometimes about me wearing helmets. I don't wear a helmet, on horses, motorcycles, or bicycles. I am an adult. Even tho the rules of competitive trail riding say helmets are optional,just as tiedowns are, but some judges would comment about me not having a helmet on, and having a tie down on, everytime they saw me. Always made me mad.

Becky

Tie downs: I've always been curious why there seems to be some prejudice towards tiedowns among the English set. They serve a pupose for some events more then just holding the head down. They are for exactly what you are saying a horse does with one on. Lean into it. Purpose: So that for things like getting their butts under them for turn a barrel or dragging a cow for a team roper, it gives them something to brace against.

I think for just that reason.... Most English riding is all about being soft and supple at the mouth, poll and neck, always giving to pressure and seeking a round-necked frame. There is no English situation I can think of (except maybe polo) where you ever want the horse to lean on it, as there is in those western events you named.

In English riding situations with a horse who will throw his head or carry it too high, English disciplines prefer the passive restraint like draw reins or running martingales as a training device, which are only ever in play to correct an out-of-position head, and not in play when the horse is in proper position (running martingale), or as in draw reins, to use leverage to encourage the softening at the mouth and poll. Some jumpers use tie-downs, but I wouldn't use them there, because I want the horse to have full use of his neck if he were to stumble on landing.