There is always a genuine reason for a horse’s behaviour, never chastise a horse for naughtiness because they don’t understand the concept of being naughty. Look for the underlying reason for their behaviour.

I was once criticised quite aggressively for putting a flash noseband on JJ because he was going through a stage where he would open his mouth and cross his jaw and I couldn’t get anything much out of him on the flat.

I was advised quite determinedly that I should look for the underlying reason why he was mouthy and deal with that rather than strap his mouth down.

Hmmm.

Well. I didn’t strap his mouth down, I added a flash noseband to his bridle because he was going through a stage where working from behind was difficult so the most natural thing for him was to evade at the front end. Not out of naughtiness, actually out of equine intelligence. He was finding something hard so found a way to avoid it.

The whole idea of “finding a reason” for a horse’s behaviour sits very comfortably with me. I have been working with JJ for years trying to figure out what makes him tick so no-one should really accuse me of being insensitive to my horse. However, I do believe there is a place for gadgets and tricks if used properly.

JJ was never going to suck it up and start the tough job of working from behind unless I closed the door on his way of avoiding it - hence the flash.

After two weeks of using it, it came off. JJ didn’t have a ridiculously tough time with the flash on, it just closed a particular door and made him concentrate on the hard bit instead of avoiding it.

I haven’t put the flash back on in over 2 years but as our canter struggles I may introduce it again for a short while to encourage JJ to work from behind into the canter, which continues to be our hardest gait given that he is so strong in front and would prefer to use those muscles.

So, to the lady with the aggressive criticism who thinks it’s ok to travel her (otherwise out of work) horse 3 hours to an amazing trainer once every 2 months - jog on (as my mate Princess Tony would say).