A product that allows a horse owner to start training a young horse without venturing onto its back has been launched in Ireland.The Ardall is designed to resemble a human torso and is placed on the back of an untrained horse — or one that hasn't been ridden in a while — to accustom the animal to the sensation of being ridden.
Showjumper and trainer Paul Murphy of Co Kerry, launched the Ardall at the Dublin Horse Show (3-7 August). Paul, who starts around 30-40 horses a year, told H&H: "Breaking is a main part of our business. I originally created it to make our lives here easier, but decided to market it.
"I've had a few near misses with young horses — it's dangerous — and as a showjumper I couldn't afford to be injured.
"This [the Ardall] gets horses accustomed to a rider, without the risk of someone falling off."
1. The torso
The main part of the product resembles a legless, human torso with short arms. At its core, there is a coiled spring, which facilitates movement when mounted on a horse. This spring is enveloped with medium-grade foam in the shape of a torso, which is covered with high quality, UV-protected leatherette.
2. The base
The torso is affixed to a flat, solid base, which has been specially moulded to fit any standard saddle. This is covered in the same leatherette as the torso. On either side, there are two straps - used for securing the Ardall onto the horse - and one screw-on ring, through which the reins go during lunging and long-reining.
3. The harness
An essential component of the product when in use, the harness fits onto the torso. The extent to which the Ardall moves when mounted on a horse is regulated by the tightness or looseness of the harness.
4. The weights
The weights serve to make the Ardall heavier and to introduce the horse to the sensation of a rider’s legs on either side. These take the form of two boot-shaped canvas bags, which are filled evenly with fine sand (up to 2 stone/12.7KG in each.) These are clipped onto the Ardall, one on each side, and secured with straps.
The dummy, which weighs 35-40kg, fits all standard saddles and can be used during long-reining and lungeing.
Paul said it speeds up the backing process, but the aim was safety.
"It stays on — the first rule of breaking a horse is not to come off it, as if you come off today, he'll try again tomorrow. And if you come off again tomorrow — then you're in trouble," he added. "It doesn't matter how good a rider you are — horses can still be unpredictable."
The Ardall costs €669. For more information, visit: http://www.ardall.com