My Top 5 Horse Training Tools!
Hi – I’m Larry Trocha.
Because of my website, I routinely receive emails asking what training tools I use on a regular basis.
Or more specifically, what training equipment do I consider absolute essentials to do the best job of horse training, as efficiently as possible.
In this report, I list the tools (equipment) which I feel are "must haves". (click on the highlighted links to go to pages featuring the equipment)
#1. Standard O-ring snaffle bit with a 7/16" diameter mouthpiece.
This is the bit which has been the recognized standard for hundreds of years. It's usually the first bit you ever put in a horse's mouth. And it's the bit the horse should stay in until he is educated enough to advance to something else. I much prefer a LOOSE-RING snaffle over a D-ring snaffle. I’d prefer the snaffle rings were loose and designed to not pinch the corners of the horse’s lips. The ends of the mouthpiece should be attached to the rings via flanges. This will prevent any pinching.
#2. Thin, smooth-wire snaffle bit with 3/16" diameter mouthpiece.
After a while, some horses may become too heavy in the standard snaffle to advance to the next level of training. If this happens, it's time to introduce the horse to a "thin, smooth-wire snaffle. This bit is great for getting him to lighten up, be more responsive and advance. Again, I’d prefer the snaffle rings were loose and designed to not pinch the corners of the horse’s lips. The ends of the mouthpiece should be attached to the rings via flanges. This will prevent any pinching.
#3. Thin, twisted-wire snaffle bit with 3/16" diameter mouthpiece.
For horse's that want to be really heavy and refuse to lighten up and respond, this bit will do the trick. However, you don't use it on a horse every ride. In most cases, you ride the horse with it 2 or 3 times until he lightens up. Then you switch him back to the milder bit. Again, I want the bit to be loose-ringed with no pinching.
#4. Heavy, 5/8" professional quality reins.
If you've never had the opportunity to ride with professional quality reins, you have no idea what you're missing. Once you try them… you'd never go back to your current "tack store" reins again. The difference is like night and day. I prefer reins which are 5/8th inches wide, consisting of very dense fibers, with a lot of “hang” and body.
#5. A western saddle which is professionally designed to allow me to ride in balance and sit the stop.
I constantly get asked by horse owners, "What kind of saddle should I buy"? "Because I want my horse to do good stops and turns, should I buy a reining saddle? If I plan on working cattle once in a while or ranch sorting, do I need a cow horse saddle? And what if I mostly trail ride, what saddle should I buy for that?
Here's what many rider’s don’t understand… a "well designed" saddle will allow you to ride in balance and do almost anything you want to do. Unfortunately, most people (including most saddle makers) don't know what a well-designed saddle is. If you ever have the chance to ride in one, you'd understand exactly what I mean.
NOTE: Most people believe if the saddle manufacturer calls a saddle a “reining” saddle or a “cow horse” saddle, it’s probably well-designed for that event. NOTHING could be farther from the truth.
There’s a 99% chance the saddle you bought, hinders your riding more than it helps. A saddle which is well-designed to help you instead of hinder you, is extremely hard to find. They are built by saddle makers who are SPECIALISTS… and the general horse owner has no idea where to get one or have one built. I don’t say this to belittle anyone. It’s just a fact which most professional horsemen are well aware of but seldom talk about.
BTW, if you want a professionally designed saddle like this, let me know and I’ll point you in the right direction.
Below is a list of training equipment which is NOT absolutely essential but would be good to have if you needed it. In other words, "optional" tools but good to have.
#7. A well-designed, German Martingale with split reins. Actually, for most non-pros, the German martingale REALLY IS a "must have". Most riders get the best results they’ve ever experienced by using this tool. Highly recommended to use only with an O-Ring snaffle bit.
#8. A Billy Allen curb bit with 8" shanks. (Read the entire "bitting process")
#9. A "correction" curb bit with 5" to 8" shanks. (To be used only by rider's who know the correct way to use their hands)
#10. A well-designed HeadSetter made of 3/16 inch hard-twist rope with adjustable fit.
About horse trainer, Larry Trocha
Training horses professionally since 1980, Larry Trocha lives in Acampo, California where he trains and shows horses for the public.
Larry also offers instruction to riders who want to learn reining, cutting or reined cow horse.
Larry is a long-standing member of the NCHA (membership #518) and the AQHA (membership #1187036).
You can contact Larry via his website: HorseTrainingVideos.com
Larry Trocha Training Stable is located at the Sliding J Ranch, 40 min. south of Sacramento:
24846 N Tully Road, Acampo, CA 95220. Phone: 209-642-2804