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Location: Somewhere around here | As a personal decision of riding your horse with a bonnet, why do you need one exactly? I was just given a nice one from a lady who's getting out of barrel racing and I've seen horses with them but I've never used one. What are the benefits of using one? |
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 Hummer's Hero
Posts: 3071
Location: Smack Dab in the Middle | My chiropractor says they'll jack up a poll PDQ...
Edited by RockinGR 2017-04-18 3:21 PM
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10797
Location: Kansas | Once upon a time I drove a long way to look at a barrel horse. When the owner put a chain bonnet on him, I drove back home without even riding him.
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Veteran
Posts: 233
| If you can't touch your horse's mouth without getting your nose broken, you need less bit and more basic training. |
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Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | Sherry Cervix rides Arson in one (correct me if I'm wrong) but she's a pretty respectable barrel racer. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | cecollins0811 - 2017-04-18 4:22 PM Sherry Cervix rides Arson in one (correct me if I'm wrong) but she's a pretty respectable barrel racer.
Being a respectable barrel racer has nothing to do with the training of the horse.
Sherry used to ride him in one yes. As training progressed I don't believe she rides him in one any longer. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 560
Location: Where the buffalo roam | A bonnet has its place for certain horses (I wouldn't use one of the chain ones). I have only tried a leather one once and it didn't do anything for the horse I used it on so never went on with it. There are some good trainers that do use them and that would be your best source of information. Usually for horses that have high heads and balance on the bonnet.
Some people will say that if you use a bonnet or a tie down then your horse is not trained correctly. The two horses I have had to use tie downs on have been a trained reining horses and a trained cutting horse - I'm pretty sure they were well trained. My race bred horses don't ever seem to need them (go figure). |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| We used one on a ex-head horse turned barrel horse. He was used by a big, heavy guy who was heavy handed. He was probably 10 before the trainer we bought him from got him. She said she tried everything, but the bonnet was the only thing that kept his front feet on the ground in the turn. He was a rollback style horse and before he died of blister beetle poisoning, my sister was 2nd in her college region and was looking good to make the CNFR. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | If your not useing a bonnet now and dont need one, dont use it now because someone gave it to you. |
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| Keeps a horse stiff. Let's them get their head out and not up.
i prefer a horse in a bonnet over a tie down any day.
i have all wires ones, chain, leather and nylon, different ones for different types of horses. Love them.
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| Chris Martin ran Jet in one for quite a while if I remember correctly.
They're a tool and like any tool can be used correctly or incorrectly.
If you're using one to keep a head down, I question it, although I have used a loose tie down to save my face on some project horses while we work through the issue. A regular tie down would be more effective for that purpose IMO. All of our rope horses go in regular tie downs, helps keep them together in the stop.
If your using one to help support a horse in the turns to hold everything together - IMO that works. Some horses and turning styles are going to work better without a tie down, with a regular tie down, some with a bonnet or browband style. Some will prefer leather, nylon, even wire - the severity of which could and has been debated. For most I think the end goal should be working without it, but there's been some pretty great horses who work in them too.
It's a good tool to have hanging in the tack room, but if what you have isn't broken I wouldn't try and fix it.
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 It Goes On
Posts: 2262
Location: Muskogee, OK | OhMax - 2017-04-19 8:11 AM
If your using one to help support a horse in the turns to hold everything together - IMO that works.
Agree with this... There are some horses, I've found especially in the seasoning stage that can gain a lot more confidence in their turns with a little support to hold things together. I don't generally keep these horses in bonnets forever, but just while they are "figuring things out".
Now I only use the rope bonnets, and they are what I prefer. |
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 Go Your Own Way
Posts: 4947
Location: SE KS | nothing wrong with a bonnet - used correctly - use one on my barrel horse (we use rope bonnets) - helps them keep their head level, but allows them to get their nose out to run, helps this one brace....
it is not for every horse.
as with all things new equipment when trying one - put it on them adjust correctly and let them hit it, before you get on. (all new equipment is put on in round pen and me on the ground)
edited to add: and it flat outs ticks me off when people say the horse aint broke - this is a trippin horse to boot - so i think he is broke, broke.....
Edited by Dinero10 2017-04-20 3:05 PM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
Location: on the fine line between insanity and geniusness | I strongly disagree with the statement about needing a tie down or bonnet means your horse isn't broke?! My rodeo horse is also my the main mount of my fiancé. He makes our living penning cattle for the public. He spends 6-7 days a week penning and sorting cattle on my 1D barrel horse HOWEVER, this horse runs barrels in a light tie down. To say he's unbroke is ludacris. I excercise him on his off days in either an Indian war bridle or a rein snapped around his neck!! He simply drops so hard with very little rate that I feel like he's snappier with something to balance on. His head isn't tied between his legs to save my nose or keep him from running off, just simply to help him balance. I can run him without one, but he's too round and not as snappy. As far as bonnets go, I've used them for years. I don't own a wire one, but I have a few rope ones and a flat nylon one that I love. It allows a horse to feel balanced and collected in a turn, yet lets them get their nose out to run. Not all horses will naturally be able to collect in a turn, some simply aren't built for it. Just like any boy or piece of equipment they can be abused, but in general if used correctly- they are a useful tool. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 591
| IRunOnFaith - 2017-04-18 2:26 PM
cecollins0811 - 2017-04-18 4:22 PM Sherry Cervix rides Arson in one (correct me if I'm wrong) but she's a pretty respectable barrel racer.
Being a respectable barrel racer has nothing to do with the training of the horse.
Sherry used to ride him in one yes. As training progressed I don't believe she rides him in one any longer.
She uses a bonnet on Sweet (Easily Dashed), who runs left handed. Sweet is Dena Kirkpatrick's. I'd say they are both pretty accomplished riders and know what tools to use on a horse and when to use them. Sweet ran in the bonnet last I saw. |
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| I use a bonnet or a tie down generally on horses that want to elevate out of the turn. If I think they are elevating too much or stalling I'll try one for balance. My decision to use one is usually based on turn style; I'll use a bonnet on a naturally stiff horse and a tie down on a more flexible horse. It's a good tool to have in your kit.
Edited by Kaye 2017-04-20 9:42 AM
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Location: KS | I have a very broke, very well trained, extremely turny little (14 hand) mare that runs in a bonnet. It has nothing to do with her head flying up when I touch her-because normally I don't touch her, and if I do she gives to the bit and stays level, but everything to do with her handling the ground. Sometimes in deep ground, at the bottom of the drag she just gets stuck on the backside. It helps her tremendously to have that bonnet to balance when that happens. It's loose and other than that I don't need it on her. |
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| Frodo - 2017-04-18 4:21 PM
Once upon a time I drove a long way to look at a barrel horse. When the owner put a chain bonnet on him, I drove back home without even riding him.
why?
Yes some horses need more broke. Yes chain bonnets can be harsh. BUT some horses just click with certain gear on them and will work their butts off even though it is a harsher piece of gear AND they are very broke.
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| OhMax - 2017-04-19 9:11 AM
Chris Martin ran Jet in one for quite a while if I remember correctly.
They're a tool and like any tool can be used correctly or incorrectly.
If you're using one to keep a head down, I question it, although I have used a loose tie down to save my face on some project horses while we work through the issue. A regular tie down would be more effective for that purpose IMO. All of our rope horses go in regular tie downs, helps keep them together in the stop.
If your using one to help support a horse in the turns to hold everything together - IMO that works. Some horses and turning styles are going to work better without a tie down, with a regular tie down, some with a bonnet or browband style. Some will prefer leather, nylon, even wire - the severity of which could and has been debated. For most I think the end goal should be working without it, but there's been some pretty great horses who work in them too.
It's a good tool to have hanging in the tack room, but if what you have isn't broken I wouldn't try and fix it.
100% this!
Good post! Tool in the tool box. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| astreakinchic - 2017-04-20 9:56 AM
Frodo - 2017-04-18 4:21 PM
Once upon a time I drove a long way to look at a barrel horse. When the owner put a chain bonnet on him, I drove back home without even riding him.
why?
Yes some horses need more broke. Yes chain bonnets can be harsh. BUT some horses just click with certain gear on them and will work their butts off even though it is a harsher piece of gear AND they are very broke.
We have a gal around here who I think fancies herself a trainer - I honestly couldn't even tell you her name, but I've seen her run enough and sat by while she "coaches" the girls who come with her to know I wouldn't touch a horse she worked on with a 20ft pole.
They all run in chain bonnets.
It's a tool, I repeat. I struggle to believe all 6 horses you haul to a $20 jackpot need one...
I see so so many people using equipment because so and so big name uses it, but they don't have the knowledge and self awareness to know why they use it, how to use it, and when to stop using it.
A chainsaw is only an appropriate juggling apparatus if you know how to juggle - if you don't it's a dangerous disaster, start with tennis balls. |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10797
Location: Kansas | The less miserable junk you put on a horses head the more comfortable and willing to work they are. I feel the same way about the tape breathing strips on horses faces. If they want it off they can't get it off and come on it's "tape."
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| OhMax - 2017-04-20 11:53 AM
astreakinchic - 2017-04-20 9:56 AM
Frodo - 2017-04-18 4:21 PM
Once upon a time I drove a long way to look at a barrel horse. When the owner put a chain bonnet on him, I drove back home without even riding him.
why?
Yes some horses need more broke. Yes chain bonnets can be harsh. BUT some horses just click with certain gear on them and will work their butts off even though it is a harsher piece of gear AND they are very broke.
We have a gal around here who I think fancies herself a trainer - I honestly couldn't even tell you her name, but I've seen her run enough and sat by while she "coaches" the girls who come with her to know I wouldn't touch a horse she worked on with a 20ft pole.
They all run in chain bonnets.
It's a tool, I repeat. I struggle to believe all 6 horses you haul to a $20 jackpot need one...
I see so so many people using equipment because so and so big name uses it, but they don't have the knowledge and self awareness to know why they use it, how to use it, and when to stop using it.
A chainsaw is only an appropriate juggling apparatus if you know how to juggle - if you don't it's a dangerous disaster, start with tennis balls.
Not defending that lady at all BUT some people's hands get horses popping up in the turns and those horses will have a smoother faster run with said lady if they have that bonnet on so she thinks it works for her and her horses, which it does. Shes using a piece of equipment as a crutch not to fix her bad hands right there.
I will say their is a certain American qualifier and large Lucky Dog and BBR winner that will slap a bonnet on top for this same reason and take your money any day of the week on that horse too. Tools are tools, equipment can help you get a better/smoother run outta one when it's really needing more broke and you better hands/riding skills. At the end of the day its a horse race and it doesn't matter the formula they used to get your money...they out ran you using equipment as a crutch....think of what the horse could do if trained correctly? That is always my thinking but flip side is when you start changing one that has ran that way so long they can catch a tude and quit working for you. |
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Veteran
Posts: 227
Location: Heart of Texas | I guess I'm a little confused what everyone means by, they are used for 'balancing'. How does it balance them? Maybe an explanation of without it my horse does xyz but with one he doesn't do xyz. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| jewishprincess - 2017-04-20 2:07 PM
I guess I'm a little confused what everyone means by, they are used for 'balancing'. How does it balance them? Maybe an explanation of without it my horse does xyz but with one he doesn't do xyz.
With my sister's horse, the header was a heavy handed man and when he set and turned the horse, he would do the old rollback thing by popping up and turning on his rear with his fronts off the ground. The lady who bought him to train him for barrels found that the bonnet made him keep his front feet on the ground in his turns. He was probably 10 or older when he was turned into a barrel horse and the habit was too ingrained to change. So, that is why they used a bonnet on him. It worked really well. |
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 Living within my means
Posts: 5128
Location: Randolph, Utah | GLP - 2017-04-20 1:21 PM
jewishprincess - 2017-04-20 2:07 PM
I guess I'm a little confused what everyone means by, they are used for 'balancing'. How does it balance them? Maybe an explanation of without it my horse does xyz but with one he doesn't do xyz.
With my sister's horse, the header was a heavy handed man and when he set and turned the horse, he would do the old rollback thing by popping up and turning on his rear with his fronts off the ground. The lady who bought him to train him for barrels found that the bonnet made him keep his front feet on the ground in his turns. He was probably 10 or older when he was turned into a barrel horse and the habit was too ingrained to change. So, that is why they used a bonnet on him. It worked really well.
I took my mare to a clinic a few years ago, the clinician suggested getting a bonnet and trying it. Worked wonders on my mare, she didn't feel confined like she did in a tie down. She just needed something to brace on in the turn, or that is what it felt like to me. I bought a nylon one from Carolina bits. So not aggressive at all.
I didn't exercise her in it once she was used to it.
My guy I have now was being ran in a tie down when I bought him so I didn't change it. I prefer to run without a tie down or bonnet but if they need it to do their job I'm not scared to use one.
ETA: oops didn't mean to quote I thought I hit reply. 
Edited by JcNhEmI 2017-04-20 2:45 PM
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| astreakinchic - 2017-04-20 11:08 AM
OhMax - 2017-04-20 11:53 AM
astreakinchic - 2017-04-20 9:56 AM
Frodo - 2017-04-18 4:21 PM
Once upon a time I drove a long way to look at a barrel horse. When the owner put a chain bonnet on him, I drove back home without even riding him.
why?
Yes some horses need more broke. Yes chain bonnets can be harsh. BUT some horses just click with certain gear on them and will work their butts off even though it is a harsher piece of gear AND they are very broke.
We have a gal around here who I think fancies herself a trainer - I honestly couldn't even tell you her name, but I've seen her run enough and sat by while she "coaches" the girls who come with her to know I wouldn't touch a horse she worked on with a 20ft pole.
They all run in chain bonnets.
It's a tool, I repeat. I struggle to believe all 6 horses you haul to a $20 jackpot need one...
I see so so many people using equipment because so and so big name uses it, but they don't have the knowledge and self awareness to know why they use it, how to use it, and when to stop using it.
A chainsaw is only an appropriate juggling apparatus if you know how to juggle - if you don't it's a dangerous disaster, start with tennis balls.
Not defending that lady at all BUT some people's hands get horses popping up in the turns and those horses will have a smoother faster run with said lady if they have that bonnet on so she thinks it works for her and her horses, which it does. Shes using a piece of equipment as a crutch not to fix her bad hands right there.
I will say their is a certain American qualifier and large Lucky Dog and BBR winner that will slap a bonnet on top for this same reason and take your money any day of the week on that horse too. Tools are tools, equipment can help you get a better/smoother run outta one when it's really needing more broke and you better hands/riding skills. At the end of the day its a horse race and it doesn't matter the formula they used to get your money...they out ran you using equipment as a crutch....think of what the horse could do if trained correctly? That is always my thinking but flip side is when you start changing one that has ran that way so long they can catch a tude and quit working for you.
I would say that those people know how and when to use to tool, if you read my previous post I support that.
This instance is like watching a train wreck most times. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
Location: on the fine line between insanity and geniusness | astreakinchic - 2017-04-20 11:08 AM
OhMax - 2017-04-20 11:53 AM
astreakinchic - 2017-04-20 9:56 AM
Frodo - 2017-04-18 4:21 PM
Once upon a time I drove a long way to look at a barrel horse. When the owner put a chain bonnet on him, I drove back home without even riding him.
why?
Yes some horses need more broke. Yes chain bonnets can be harsh. BUT some horses just click with certain gear on them and will work their butts off even though it is a harsher piece of gear AND they are very broke.
We have a gal around here who I think fancies herself a trainer - I honestly couldn't even tell you her name, but I've seen her run enough and sat by while she "coaches" the girls who come with her to know I wouldn't touch a horse she worked on with a 20ft pole.
They all run in chain bonnets.
It's a tool, I repeat. I struggle to believe all 6 horses you haul to a $20 jackpot need one...
I see so so many people using equipment because so and so big name uses it, but they don't have the knowledge and self awareness to know why they use it, how to use it, and when to stop using it.
A chainsaw is only an appropriate juggling apparatus if you know how to juggle - if you don't it's a dangerous disaster, start with tennis balls.
Not defending that lady at all BUT some people's hands get horses popping up in the turns and those horses will have a smoother faster run with said lady if they have that bonnet on so she thinks it works for her and her horses, which it does. Shes using a piece of equipment as a crutch not to fix her bad hands right there.
I will say their is a certain American qualifier and large Lucky Dog and BBR winner that will slap a bonnet on top for this same reason and take your money any day of the week on that horse too. Tools are tools, equipment can help you get a better/smoother run outta one when it's really needing more broke and you better hands/riding skills. At the end of the day its a horse race and it doesn't matter the formula they used to get your money...they out ran you using equipment as a crutch....think of what the horse could do if trained correctly? That is always my thinking but flip side is when you start changing one that has ran that way so long they can catch a tude and quit working for you.
Is it sad that I knew exactly who you were talking about as soon as I read that?! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 964
Location: Alberta, Canada | I have a mare that I switched from a tie down to a leather bonnet this spring. The reason I did so is because she hides behind the tie down and gets too behind the vertical in her turns in a traditional tie down, but is a hot, high headed OTTB who gets hot and can be a handful once she gets running, and needs something for a reminder. I do not ride her in it at home/practice pen. Only for runs. She is happier in it and as crazy as it sounds, almost acts like a soother to her. She's the first horse I've ever used one with. It's not super tight and it's just enough to keep her correct in her turns. It's not something I would use on a horse that worked fine without a tie down or in a traditional nose band tie down. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 617
Location: London Ontario | I just put my OTTQH in a bonnet this weekend at a clinic(as per clinician). My tie down(that was previously used) was never cranked tight but she fought it a lot. OTT horses are taught to run with their noses out so she was having a hard time with the tie down. She def needed the brace but wanted to stick her nose out farther. When we ran in it after the clinic, things were muuuuch smoother. I see a lot of OTT in bonnets and seem to work well in them as well |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 380
| I was told by a trainer that she uses a bonnet for only one of her horses. He has a longish back and it helps him balance without picking his head up too high in his turns. She said you should not use them for just basic riding as they can make a horse sore. She only ever uses hers when she is running a pattern and takes it off when they are done. |
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Bonnets; tell me about them.