How to choose iron for a horse?
Typically, the selection of a scaffold is done in two cases: if the iron is bought for the first time or if the previous iron is not suitable for one reason or another. The most frequent ones:
- Incorrect size (iron moves to one side, touches the horse’s teeth, picks up strong folds in the corners of the mouth)
- Horse discomfort (waving his head, grinding his teeth, flipping his tongue, refusing to work one way or another)
- Poor chewing (which can be stimulated by a well chosen material)
- Inconsistency of the working gland with the competition regulations (each specialization makes its own list of allowed controls, which is periodically updated)
Size of scaffold, mouthpiece, peel
As for the size of the scaffold, there are some stereotypes. A sample of horses showed that the width of the mouth depends on the height in the crest. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with this material in case you need to buy iron for an unfamiliar horse as a matter of urgency.
For horses that are up to 155 cm tall and of the riding type, a scaffold of 11.5 is suitable; for horses that are up to 170 cm, a scaffold of 12.5; for horses that are 170 cm tall and above, a scaffold of 13.5; and for horses that are up to 16.5 cm tall, a scaffold is suitable. Some companies also produce a pony rod – their size is only 10.5.
But the most precise method is to measure the width of a horse’s mouth with a strong string or stick, which is placed on the edentulous edge. The number of centimeters in this study equals the size of a scaffold – its length between two rings.
Dressage is the most stringent in the selection of iron for the horse: it regulates both the width of the chew (for adult riders not less than 14mm, for children on a pony not less than 10mm) and the length of the mouthpiece lever – no more than 10 cm. All this has the purpose of protecting sports horses from excessive rigidity on the part of riders.
Types of iron for horses
- Trenzel Nine
The “Nine” can be called the easiest in terms of design, given that straight-trainers today are almost non-existent, except for rubber models with flavor enhancers.
Trenzel Nine consists of two joints connected in the middle, which characterizes its work: one half of the chew while the other half remains stationary – when working with one hand.
Strong work with both hands at the same time reveals the negative side of this gland: it can rest on the horse’s sensitive palate, assembling a “lodge” at the junction.
- Trenzel-Eight
The trenzel of the eight consists of three joints: two of them are relatively large and equal in size, and the third is a small link in the middle, which may have different shapes (arches, candy, eight, ball) and even material (for example, an aurigan insert – sweet copper – improves the chewing process).
- Straight rubber scaffold
This rubber scaffold has its own peculiarities in use: when driving with a straight scaffold, it is necessary to control both hands even more strictly, as the impact on one side of the mouth will certainly have an impact on the other – the hand must be alive, accompanying. If the rider’s experience is available – a rubber scaffold is an excellent alternative for horses with sensitive mouths, malformations such as iron biting, and damaged gums.
- Trenzel Chain
The gnaw of this tresel consists of a huge number of small links, but, unlike the “eight”, the chain has nothing to do with softness. Every movement of this sled irritates the surface of the horse’s tongue, forcing the animal to move away from the pressure and give in the back of the head. The use of this sled is justified as a one-time correction measure for bad horses.
- Tresel with whiskers
Trenzel with a mustache has a double effect on the horse: its first half is due to the same as the mechanics of the trenzel-niner, and the second half brings an impact on the lips of the horse outside through the perpendicular limiter. On the one hand, the mustache perfectly fixes the trail from rolling, and on the other hand, it quite strictly indicates the horse’s turn.
- Pelham and the Olympic trainsel
The traditional dressage iron set distributes the roles as follows: the trail provides the horse side bending, the mouthpiece is responsible for vertical bending. The pellets are an opportunity to combine as much as possible two types of influences on the horse’s mouth and head position in one structure.
- Mouthpiece
The mouthpiece differs from the pelama by its conjoint structure – it has no joints and can only be used with a trestle. The mouthpiece has such a design that if you pull on one occasion, it will press on the opposite corner of the mouth, and it is its immobility provides this.
- Hakamora
Hakamora belongs to the class of iron only because of the same alloy, but in terms of functionality it is completely individual. The levers are on either side of the horse’s lips, there is no effect on the mouth, the control is due to the pressure of the leather lintel on the snoring.
A definite plus to the hackamor is gum disease, nonhealing ulcers, psychological neuroses associated with iron in the horse. The rigidity of the hakamora depends on the length of the lever, but can also be concealed by the upholstery of the carrying fur.
Trenzel, like any other type of iron, is not mandatory for everyday training, but it is through it you can achieve maximum speed and clarity in understanding the teams. Some riders spend a lot of time to find the right scaffold for their horse.
The tip is simple: Be a rider for whom it is not the individual parts of the ammunition and controls that are important, but the pleasure of training with the horse and a positive result in general.
