Side Check or over check??

[HGFarm]

What a great idea on the elastic!!! Will have to try that out! I also would love to see pics if anyone has that setup on their harness.

Side, side, side.... MOST horses I have seen wearing over checks have a tendancy to shove their noses out in front of them and lose their nice headset, like it pulls their heads up and out... Mine will drive with or without a check and I dont use martingales either- dont need them.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

How about, instead of finding ways round the rule, that a lot seem not to want, we try to get it changed to "voluntary" rather than "mandatory"

Cos' I thought American was all about freedom of choice????

 

[susanne]

I do wish that, instead of another class with trussed up horses, they would add a class that rewarded good, natural movement and head and neck sets that came from training and conditioning, not check reins.

But then, I'm too blind to drive in a dark, crowded show ring, so who am I to whine?

 

[MiLo Minis]

I have tried to get a rule change and it went no where. I was told that it is a safety issue in that an unchecked horse could buck and cause an accident

I was told many had tried and that it would never go anywhere.

 

[JMS Miniatures]

I have tried to get a rule change and it went no where. I was told that it is a safety issue in that an unchecked horse could buck and cause an accident

I was told many had tried and that it would never go anywhere.

IMO whoever said it was a "safety issue" and it could "cause an accident" with no check IMO that was a lazy answer

I only see checks and martingales as training aids and should not be used in the ring. When I first start training one I will not use a check unless they are going after grass, but then its on the last hole. I would not use the check until they are in the cart but again its on the last hole, and I don't worry about their head set til later in their training. I myself have had 1 accident in the cart, but everything was ok horse just reared up, but the check got caught in the shafts because it was too loose. If there was no check it could have been avoided. I have had a horse buck in the ring with the check on so don't see the check being used as a saftey issue with that, he was just feeling good, he was such a bady boy

I think AMHR/AMHA should make it atleast voluntairy, if you want the check fine, if you don't fine, no one will be penalized. If you horse has that perfect headset without aids then you get brownie points. I also don't see how the checks can prevent accidents, in my eyes if thats the case you didn't do your homework. If you can't trust your horse that much then it shouldn't be in the ring. I have seen plenty of accidents and those horses have checks on. Don't get it.

As far as the difference are with checks are concerned, side tucks their nose more in, over brings their head up but with their nose up in the air.

 

[Southern_Heart]

I will have to try out the elastic. What a great idea

Thanks

Joyce

 

[Sue_C.]

I too use a piece of black elastic as an atatchment piece on my sidechecks. I have always disliked overchecks, and have talked many out of using them, and am happy to have done so. Weird how the mini associations see checks as "safety" devices, yet one is clucked at with disapproval at any driving related shows wich have full-sized horse classes.

What is this...our minis are more dangerous to drive OH!

...or is it the inate lack of training that I so often see...where checks and martingales are "needed" to artificially collect and train the horses, rather than spend the time to do it right.

I am sorry, "macy--red carpet"...but that picture you show, does more to turn me AGAINST an overcheck, than to rush out and use one. The look in the lashless eye of that poor horse just hits me like a punch in the gut.

Flamesuit...ON.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Sue they will have to char me to a crisp to get to you!!!

Check reins are NO way a "safety issue" if that were so they would be used world wide...as it is they are used in America, the rest of the world, including Hungarian four and six in handers also sans blinders, manage perfectly well without the flipping torturous things.

I have trained many horses to drive and I have never used, nor will I EVER use, a check rein, my horses do not try to graze merely because they are taught not to, it is not acceptable behaviour for a driven animal, that is the end of it.

Not saying I do not get the occasional one who does not get the message to start with, but a swift slap to the backside (this is one of the reasons why you carry a whip BTW) and a sharp "NO"and they soon learn.

Anything else is just laziness and cheating.

Oh and I have long since abandoned my flame proof suit in favour of a very thick skin.......

 

[macy--red carpet minis]

I am sorry, "macy--red carpet"...but that picture you show, does more to turn me AGAINST an overcheck, than to rush out and use one. The look in the lashless eye of that poor horse just hits me like a punch in the gut.

Flamesuit...ON.

Sue, the "look" in my horses eye that you see is not because of his overcheck.. in fact in that picture the check is not even hooked and no one is in the cart. That is in an aisle way at Nationals before my class and we wanted to get some "cleaned up" shots of him before the Youth class. So, I am going to assume that the "look" is coming from whatever is happening in the background of the photographer in order to make him put his ears up. On another note, he is in fact not lashless. He was indeed facialed by a professional at Nationals but kept all of his eyelashes. If you look at his left eye in the picture you will spot some lashes. And I am REALLY trying to be respectful because you are my elder but I must beg of you that you do not put any pity on my "POOR" horse because if you see the bond that I share with him and how much LOVE and attention he is given I am sure that your opinion would quickly change. He is spoiled as can be and is absolutely cherished. Please do not pass judgement on how much my horse is loved or cared for on the fact that they got the standard clip job as most of the other horses at the National level.

Macy

 

[Kim]

I think your horse is beautiful, Macy!

 

[Sue_C.]

So, I am going to assume that the "look" is coming from whatever is happening in the background of the photographer in order to make him put his ears up. On another note, he is in fact not lashless. He was indeed facialed by a professional at Nationals but kept all of his eyelashes. If you look at his left eye in the picture you will spot some lashes.

Okay...I will say that knowing that he is scared of something, and that is why he is "pop-eyed", explains it better than giving the impression he always looks that way.

That is why I generally don't judge from a picture, but when that shot came into veiw...that honestly WAS the feeling it gave me. I still don't see much lash there, but as it is your personal choice to bald, I will respectfully withdraw my statement. It is something witch I choose not to do, and dislike a lot...but it is done...and allowed...and liked, by many, so I conceed your point. I do not want this to turn into a bald-don't bald post...that has been done to death in the past. Sorry 'bout that.

I too, KNOW what it is to love these guys, that is for sure...I cannot IMAGINE my life without them, anymore than I could live without breathing.

And I am REALLY trying to be respectful because you are my elder

Yes, please be kind to the old fart.

Off topic...but a buddy of mine just got her new Camptown harness in todcay...and I just finished fitting it to her mare. What a difference it is going to make for them. I LOVE the breastplate!! (freedom collar)

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Freedom collars RULE!!!

As soon as I have the money there will be one on it's way over her

For what it's worth, I too thought the horse had no lashes, and looked startled to say the least!!

And I still don't like over checks...

But then I don't like check reins, end of story!!!

 

[Sue_C.]

Hey Fizz...I can see a bunch of us now, in front of the AMHA and AMHR Offices with our signs...walking in circles chanting; "Dump that check-rein - dump that check-rein...

 

[rabbitsfizz]

I'm with you, I'm a whizz at making placards and had plenty of practise marching in the sixties, although these days I am more into sitting down for things!!!

I'm just looking for a reason to fly over, too, and that is as good as any.

"Safety Issue" my Aunt Fanny!!!!