Bells around the pasterns!

[micki]

I'm very curious as to why anyone would put bells around the horses pasterns. My neighbour who drives hackneys(shows them) has recently put straps with bells on around one horse's pasterns and i was just wondering what they would be used for. He has them on all 4 legs. Has anyone heard why it is done?

[XenaWarriorPrincess]

Are you sure they are bells? Sometimes they put weights on them to make them exaggerate their movement.

[black crow]

Ditto above. Hackneys, TWH's etc often have weights put on their legs (and blocked shoes which are horrific) to enhance their gait.

[micki]

They definitely sound like bells. I know hackneys quite often get their legs weighted to get the action but it has a tingling sound, a bit like christmas bells.

[BEX101]

Practicing for Christmas??

[micki]

Practicing for Christmas??

:pmsl::pmsl: I have wondered about that!

[Aeia]

The only reason I can think of is something my physio suggested for Neo when he wasn't tracking up. You can put something that jangles on that pastern to help them know where that leg is and can make them use it more. Could be that?

[Sasca]

if he's showing he might also want to be able to hear exactly how they are stepping. It might make a good parade thing as well im guessing. You should stop and ask next time you see him!

[Becca-84]

We once had a German rider (can't remember his name now) come to do a dressage clinic at the yard I used to be on and he put bells round the pasterns of one of the PRE mares to make her pick her back feet up more because she was dragging the toe and not tracking up properly. Not sure how effective it was though. I think my horses would freak out at that!