How far would you drive to go see your horse?

Dammit! Can't get pix up... check out links...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Chifney-Bit---Brass---5_W0QQitemZ270351687689QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090302?IM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/2736951919_61b8d05aa1.jpg

Stainless Steel Chifney Anti-Rearing Bit, complete with English Leather headpiece/sliphead

• The Chifney bit is neither
  a snaffle nor a curb. In fact, it isn't used for riding at all - it is
  used for leading - originally designed to give handlers of highly
  strung horses and stallions more control when their charges tried to
  rear.
  
• It is fitted so the the
  straighter edged part acts as the mouth piece, with the rest of it
  encircling the horses jaw. Potentially, it gives a lot of leverage on
  the bottom jaw - and therefore must be used with care. However, horses respect it and it gives handlers control of the animal.
  
• A lot of professional transporters will use a Chifney on a horse that is difficult to load.
  
• Seen commonly at the races on highly strung thoroughbreds
  

The above is an Ebay description of the use of a chifney.

Yowza!!! I'd rather take the time I need to train my horse to lead properly than to use something like that.

You have got to be kidding....I can't believe things like this are on the market! Totally agree with you Cyndi, train the horse to lead instead of resorting to cruel gadgets like that! Yuck!

Cyndi,
I lead Trelawny out in a rope halter and long lead rope. We do the roads as well as woods etc. I too have had people try and interfere with my methods of leadership - you should do this, do that, you gotta get respect - well all it did was upset Trelawny, and upset me, and put us back several stages in the trust department. I wont ever let anyone near him again in this regard. I dont care if I am unconventional - I have a good relationship with my big horse and that is more important to me than anything. I am SO angry on your behalf about this woman.... and as everyone else has said - we all support you! At the end of the day Fanny is your horse, its your life, and its your partnership you have with your lovely girl. It has to develop and grow in a way thats suits you and Fanny - and nobody else. Listen and learn, take advice, but if it doesnt feel right for you - then dont do it. Gawd - if I ever got hold of that woman....

Ah ok I had an idea of what you were talking about. These are also known as stallion bits or anti rearing bit.
That one it is actually quite mild. I have seen ones with horrible ports on them and keys.

If a horse is that hard to get on the trailer and previous attempts at teaching a horse how to trailer have not happened I would rather see a horse sedated. This way if it is fearful it isn't going to bounce around in a trailer and hurt itself and it doesn't associate trailering with being injured by a bit and your own hands.
Shesh, the contraptions people create to harm or maim another animal.

Hi cyndi, just thought of something: Linda Tellington-Jones uses a chain on a headcollar in her training methods and, from what I've read about her methods, she's a really gentle trainer. She says you can give more precise instructions via the chain and I think what you described about using the stick to gain Fanny's attention is something that she uses.
Having said that, I don't think that Angie woman was doing the right thing jerking Fanny's head 'to get her attention' so I wouldn't trust her with a chain but thought I would mention what seems to be a more benevolent use of a chain. Never used it myself though as I prefer the knotted rope halters. Hope things are settling down with you. Fin