To Hobble, or Not To Hobble...

Pawing is a no-no at my barn. Because it is a pet-peeve of mine, I have decided to hobble-train colts that I start in my program. I have seen people argue for and against hobbles and can definitely see some of the arguments on both sides. But, I cannot imagine riding at someone's nice barn and allowing my horse dig her way to China in their driveway or arena.

Hobbles, if introduced incorrectly can cause injury. Horses tend to "react big" when a sudden restriction inhibits their fight or flight response. But, introduced correctly, I think learning to stand quietly while hobbled is a valuable lesson for working horses! 

When properly introduced and utilized, hobbles can also prepare a horse to deal with future scary situations like being caught in a fence. A hobble-trained horse is more likely to stand quietly and wait for help than thrash and hurt themselves.