A training aid is any piece of equipment or supplementary device used alongside conventional tack to support the development of a horse’s way of going, musculature, or responsiveness to the rider’s aids. The category is broad, encompassing everything from simple lunging equipment to mechanical gadgets designed to influence head carriage or outline. What unites them is that they are additions to the core bridle-and-saddle setup, typically used during specific phases of training rather than in competition.
Categories of Training Aid
Lunging and groundwork aids. Side reins, pessoa rigs, and chambon systems are used when working a horse in-hand or on the lunge. Side reins attach from the bit rings to the girth or roller on each side, giving the horse something to work into and encouraging it to seek contact rather than evading behind the vertical. The pessoa, a more complex system of ropes and pulleys, works the horse’s topline actively as it moves. These aids are particularly useful when building a young horse’s muscle and balance without the added weight of a rider.
Draw reins and running reins. These pass through the bit rings and run back to the rider’s hands or the saddle, effectively creating a double leverage system on the horse’s head. Used carefully by an educated rider, they can help a stiff horse soften in the neck and encourage engagement. Used incorrectly, they force the head behind the vertical without producing genuine relaxation — a common critique from traditional trainers and FEI judges alike. Draw reins are typically barred from affiliated competition.
Poles and cavaletti. Raised poles, cavaletti (adjustable cross-poles), and gymnastic grids are arguably the most universally respected training aids. They develop straightness, rhythm, and proprioception without any mechanical intervention. A correctly built pole grid asks the horse to think about foot placement, raises the knee and hock, and improves the swing through the back — all without a strap or pulley in sight. Most sport horse trainers use poles routinely across all levels.
Martingales. The running martingale and standing martingale both limit how high a horse can raise its head, but in different ways. A running martingale works through rings on the reins, coming into play only when the horse raises its head above a certain point — it is an intermittent aid. A standing martingale attaches to the noseband and always restricts upward head movement. The BHS (British Horse Society) recommends understanding the purpose of each before fitting, and never using a standing martingale in jumping disciplines where it can become a safety hazard if a horse needs to raise its head to balance on landing.
Bitless alternatives. In some training contexts, bitless bridles — hackamores, sidepulls, or cross-under designs — are used for horses that are sensitive in the mouth, recovering from dental work, or being re-schooled after a negative experience. They communicate primarily through nose and jaw pressure rather than mouth pressure. They are not universally permitted in affiliated competition but are a legitimate schooling tool when used knowledgeably.
Principles of Responsible Use
The most respected trainers in equestrian sport — from classical dressage masters to modern event riders — are consistent on one point: a training aid should support the development of self-carriage, not replace it. Any device that holds a horse in a shape without the horse developing the muscular strength and balance to maintain that shape independently is producing superficial results. The BHS and BEVA both emphasise that training aids should be introduced progressively, used for limited periods within a session, and reviewed regularly to assess whether they are still needed.
Recognising when to remove a training aid is as important as knowing when to introduce one. A horse that has developed genuine strength through its topline and can work in a correct, relaxed outline without the aid has progressed. Continuing to use an aid beyond that point risks creating dependency rather than building the horse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are training aids allowed in competition?
It depends entirely on the discipline and the specific aid. Most mechanical devices — draw reins, running reins, pessoa rigs — are prohibited in the arena during affiliated competition. Running martingales are permitted in showjumping and eventing in the UK but not in affiliated dressage. Always check the rulebook for your specific discipline and level before competing.
What is the best training aid for a horse that evades contact?
There is no single answer, but most experienced trainers would start with groundwork — lungeing without any additional aids to assess the horse’s natural way of going — before introducing anything. A contact-evasion problem often has a physical root cause: teeth, back pain, or an ill-fitting saddle tree. Addressing that first is always worthwhile before introducing any device that imposes a position from the outside.
Can training aids cause injury?
Yes, if misused. Draw reins and tight side reins that force a horse behind the vertical create unhealthy compression through the neck and back. Overdoing pole work on hard ground can jar joints. A martingale fitted too short restricts the horse’s ability to use its neck for balance. Any aid must be fitted with care and used within appropriate training sessions — if in doubt, seek guidance from a qualified instructor.