There is always disagreement on a lot of things in the horse world.  Different training methods, disciplines, equipment, feed.  A lot of it is just preference, and some of it is past experience.

You must take into consideration all the aspects of the subject.

Research, research, research, before you make a decision.  Then come down to logic.

The subject of an over-check on a driving harness came up in one of my daily readings.  There is tack that is necessary, tack that is unnecessary, and then there is tack that will enhance you training.  Just like with a simple snaffle, it can be gentle and easy, or cruel and severe in the wrong hands.  I’m working on a post on bits right now.  There is a time and place for some training equipment, but there is a lot of abuse with some of it if not properly used.

The person that was telling the story had a driving instructor that wanted that over-check pulled really tight.  She did not feel comfortable with this nor did her horse.  When she called another trainer she was told that what she was being asked to do was not proper.  So she switched trainers.  She was happy and so was her horse.

I’ve said it many times, keep an open mind.  What works with one horse may not work with another, but if a little voice inside of you says “this is cruel” check it out.

Let’s look at the history of the over-check.  For those that are not familiar with it, the over-check runs from the horses back, up his neck, and down to the bit.  It’s purpose is to keep the horse’s head up.

You may remember in the story of Black Beauty, the owner wanted the horses over-check pulled really tight so that the horse’s head was held high because that was supposed to show a proud spirit and elegance.  Depending on the placement of how the horse’s neck is set into its shoulders, cranking a horses head high can be not only uncomfortable, but extremely painful.  You all know that some horses carry their head higher than others, it’s just the way they are built.

Now on the flip side of that coin you don’t want to let your horse get his head down too low.  This can create problems too.  Sometimes that horse will lean on the bit, or grab the bit and just take off.  You want them to be comfortable, but they should carry their heads at a proper level so they can’t get in trouble.  Don’t forget that for a horse to see things in the distance they must raise and lower their heads until things come into focus.  We’re not talking excessive movement, just slight.  Driving horses also have blinders on which limits their peripheral vision.  My dear friend Nancy could speak more intelligently on this subject, but you’re stuck with me.  Nancy feel free to comment and give us your knowledge, and respected opinion on this matter.

I have used an over-check on a riding pony.  Chester, my grandchildren’s pony, was wonderful with the kids, but he was a pony.  He found out that if he put his head down to the grass, pulling the reins, he could pull the kids right down his neck onto the ground.  Now the over-check wasn’t used to keep his head up high, it just didn’t allow him to eat grass or pull the kids off.

When I used to drive, the over-check was used for the job it was meant to do, but not to the point of being abusive.  Nothing is cruel if used properly in the right hands.

And as my mentor, Adele Franzreb always said – “If you don’t know what it is, you don’t need it.”

So always check that your equipment fits properly and is used for the purpose it was intended for.

Check, recheck, over and out.