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Why are we required to have a stud chain over our horses noses while doing showmanship at fair2007-11-24 21:23:16

I wonder what the rule will be next year if some horse flips over backwards in the class and lands on the poor exhibitor next to them, all because the horse couldn't tolerate the chain on its nose?

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A shank's true purpose is for refined control - or, rather, being able to direct the horse with much less motion and effort on your part.

A shank was never intended to be used as a disciplinary device, although that's how most people use it. A properly trained horse, NO MATTER WHAT age or gender, does not require a chain to be -controlled- on the ground.

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There are some things implied here about control.Any device that is set up to control the horse is a fail-safe,not a first recourse.It is there as a "just in case",it is a safety device for the sake of people.If your horse ever decided to not obey you,what would you do to control it?

You are not strong enough to physically control the horse.The device gives you that option if it is ever needed.

If your horse were sick and frightened it might panic.

There is nothing at all that you are capable of doing if the horse decides that it does not want to mind you.It may seem a harsh thing to say,but a horse can go crazy.Just like people can, so can they.

Merely because the stud chain is mis-used by the cruel does not negate the need for it.If so,then chains and collars on big dogs must be likewise done away with.

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It is quite ridiculous and should be unnecessary for Every horse brought to fair. The best you can do is ignore it. Some people use it to fine tune their set-ups and pivots because it takes less hand motion to transmit the cue to the horse. Keep in mind these are horses who do it without the shank as well and the kids aren't using them harshly by any means. I do know the ones who use them as corrections and punishment devices as well. I've seen them get out there and the horse moves a foot during the pivot and they jerk that chain every step on their way out of the arena. That's unnecessary, and the parents don't say a word.