Chiffney!

[paulien1]

Recently moved to a yard from having horses at home, one is a big girl (17.2) but gentle in every way. Yes she strides in her walk with a purpose but never with naughtiness.

As its part livery yard owners turn out. Yard owner approached today asking would I mind if they put a chiffney on her to get her to the field (5 min walk) as she is strong, she got away this morning, only went to her field but obviously this cannot be happening. I pulled my face at a chiffney abd said let me think about a better route to take, only because I feel there is nowhere to go from there and I don't want her becoming hard mouthed either. The flies are not helping matters, and y/o are quick to put anything with a bit of life in a chiffney.

What are your opinions as I may have it wrong, what about a restraining headcollar?

Your thoughts and advise appreciated in advance.

[paulien1]

See I know that little about this bit I can't even spell it correctly!!
Chifney!!!

[sageandonion]

I can see both sides. It is dangerous for the yard owner to turn your horse out if your horse gets away, it is also dangerous for your horse. I see no reason why anyone should take even the slightest risk with another person's horse.

I also see you would prefer it were not used and I wouldn't like it either. The only way around it is for you to take over the turning out of your horse and the bringing in if necessary until your horse has settled in to her new routine and is walking like a lamb to the field.

If you cannot turn your horse out yourself for a while (hopefully it will only take a few days) then ask if they will firstly try leading your horse from her bridle. If that doesn't work, then she is indeed being dangerously strong and may need the chifney for safety.

The best answer if for you to deal with this yourself.

[elmere]

One of my stallions is led in a chifney from the ground as he is very big and very strong, safety comes first. They learn to respect it and you don't even have to put pressure on most of the time. He still has a very soft mouth when ridden and a snaffle is more than enough to hold him on his back with which he is well behaved.

[lisadundee]

What about a chain over her nose rather than a chiffney? I sometimes lead one of my d mares with a stallion chain as she can be bolshy but she's fine with the chain

[armada]

I use a chain on my gelding, he was a bit of a thug when younger and hauled me over a time or two. He only had it kick in a couple of times and he stopped thundering through me.
It is still on his headcollar, but clipped onto itself, but is there if i need it, he knows its there and its once in a blue moon I need to attach it to the lead rope, usually if he's been charging round the field and he's got himself hyped up, but even with it in 'armed and ready' mode he knows the consequence so leads quietly. I have sold my chifneys as find this more effective and less of a faff, and in the end more 'humane', if that is the right word.

[amumwithapony]

I'd also try a bridle before a chifney. How experianced is YO? Who was leading her this morning and how did she get away? What exactly happened?

It could just be that they have got her a bit confuddled with her routine or made her wait longer than what she normally does. Or that they had her behind others who were then turned out and trotted off.

Usually if she is good for you I would expect her to behave for others. If you feel that is the case I'd ask for more information on what exactly happened. I personally wouldn't be happy at anyone letting my horse go unless it was a choice between person getting injured or horse getting injured.

Maybe try and be there tomorrow and watch from a distance. But I would prefer a bridle over a chifney, espescially is she has escaped once. Imagine her escaping and standing on the lead rope attached to the chifney. Ouch.

[brindlerainbow]

It was my understanding that a chifney is an anti rearing bit which I have used in the past with 1 that liked to walk along on its hind legs. If your horse isn't rearing and is simply a long striding fast walker then a snaffle should be fine and a chifney not neccessary. A controller halter may also work although I havent really any experience with them.
I have to say that I would be nervous of someone handling my horse who didn't seem that confident in doing so. The fact that they have let the horse escape from them could lead to the horse getting into the habit of messing about so that it can get away

[lampshade]

I too would ask them to use the bridle instead of a chiffney to begin with and see how it goes. When your horse has settled into a routine they could then try with just the headcollar again. Good luck

[paulien1]

Ok thanks guys, been and bought a cheap bridle. I have got her from the field tonight, leading her and my youngster too! She gone like a lamb for me even slowed down so I'm not power walking!

So fingers crossed for morning turnout, unfortunately it isn't possible for me to do it, but I've asked them to text me and let me know how she is!

Thanks again y'all.

[maisie23]

if that doesnt work why not try a pressure halter, they learn to respect them usually x

[FF]

I'd try bridle 1st. My friends mare walks with a purpose. lol No harm ment just always in a rush whether it be going out or coming in.

[rubydoo]

i can see both sides , she is a big horse and for saftey reasons it may be needed , we have a fell on our yard hes always led in a chifney but ridden in a snaffle it just stops him getting bolshy . chifneys are not bad but it depends on whos hands theyre in !

id try in a bridle first

[Kaseyleigh]

Bridle or even a dooley halter but i would never put a chiffney in any of mine would rather put the rope round there nose i bring in a 16.2hh holstien for my boss and he has a tendonce to snatch back and run off from you so i put the rope round his nose and it works a treat

[parsnip]

We use a Dually for anything that's getting a bit keen going to the turnout paddock! A little bit of backing up and not space invading and the Dually. Chiffney is severe & especially so in the hands of someone who might be scared of the horse and is using it as a defence mechanisim - if you see what I mean! Personally, if at all possible, I would do turnout if some one had doubts about turning my horse out - not always feasible though. X

[Julie(luke3)]

I would try a Dually halter before a chifney or a bridle!!! I remember when I was younger turning out in a bridle and the horse kept the bit(mucking about) and galloped off across the field and broke the bridle(luckily not it;s jaw)!!!

All my horses are good but will still always turn out into a field without a bit! x

[mandmponies56]

I have found that chifney are amazing, but only as a last resort. We had a bad loader and with the chifney on a few times, and lots of treats, hugs and kisses on the horsebox, she now loads fine.

[fruity]

Agree with bridle - my boy got cheeky like that when I was pregnant and not to avoid risks we went with a bridle.

We bought a double bridle slip head and put a snaffle on it - it slips off easily and quickly when you get to the field.

I have a fear of chifneys - never used one, probably why, but I don;t like them so wouldn;t go there. But my best friend is a race horse trainer and uses them all the time. Time and place and experience hands comes to mind

[northbeech]

Defo not a fan of a Chifney - they are so old fashioned and lets face it they cause pain and discomfort. In this day and age there are so many other options - I often use a chain over the nose with one of my stallions - but rarely have to put any pressure on it - a bridle is another option and iv heard the duallys are great.

After having horses since i was born - 6 years experience on a showjumping yard, 3 years experience at a racing stud plus multiple naughty ponies of my own i still dont think im experienced enough to use a chifney myself - plus in the wrong hands they can do serious damage!

[fruity]

Aug 1, 2012 19:37:23 GMT northbeech said:

Defo not a fan of a Chifney - i still dont think im experienced enough to use a chifney myself - plus in the wrong hands they can do serious damage!

Couldn't agree more. Heard first hand from my trainer of a chifney in the wrong hands removing a horses tongue I think thats what terrifies the most. There are plenty of other options available now

[thecremellosociety]

Use a slip head with a snaffle, chiffneys have seen some nasty accidents with them you shouldnt have the rope long enough to tread on it as can cut through tongues if tangled

I has a shire x that would walk through me at first, i made a nylon rope halter and ensured the pully tight bit was accross his nose, had normally head collar to and 2 ropes, now he was 3/4 ton of bully when he first came, i would lead off the normal head collar, and when he did hi i am going to do one trick i woul pull firmly and quickly on the other rope, this resulted in him giving himself a rope burn once accross his nose, he NEVER did it again and after a few more weeks halter went in the back of the locker, i then used a lead rope with a chain on if needed but was far more respectful.

Will depend on the nature of the horse though when i say he was a ex riding school thug with no manners i fully mean it, and whilse my method worked for him, i havent used it on any others .... yet !