Chambon
Encyclopedia
A chambon is a piece of horse tack
. It is a strap that runs forward from the bottom of the girth
or surcingle
, and forks. The forks continue to a ring on either side of the bridle
or halter
, at the base of the crownpiece
. Running through those rings, the forks follow the cheekpiece
s to the bit
. They may attach to the bit or pass through the bit rings and attach to themselves below the horse's neck.
A chambon prevents the horse from raising its head beyond a fixed point. Raising the head causes the length of the chambon along the cheekpieces to shorten and thus puts reciprocal pressure on the horse's mouth and behind the horse's poll. Horses generally dislike pressure behind the poll and learn to release the pressure by lowering their head. The chambon is used mostly in training horses via longeing
.
The chambon is closely related to the standing martingale (tiedown)
, which generally is used in riding. The chambon has the opposite function to a bearing rein
.
and free schooling. It is advanced equipment for use by knowledgeable trainers. A chambon is not a way to quickly fix the head set of a horse. It is merely to help develop the correct muscle. Chambons help a horse to develop the muscles of their back and topline. It applies pressure to the poll and mouth of the horse when he raises his head, releasing when the horse stretches long and low, down toward the ground. When a horse is longed correctly, and the chambon is correctly adjusted, the horse stretches down and raises his back.
Before using a chambon, the horse is taught to give correctly while worked in hand. If not, the horse may not know to lower his head to the pressure, may panic when he feels the upward and ungiving pressure on the bit, and possibly rear. The advantage of the chambon is that it only comes into effect when the horse raises his head, so the horse has some control on its action. It generally works very well on horses in adjusting their head position. However, it has no direct effect on the hindquarters, so it must be used skillfully.
If a horse is not longed properly, he may begin to go on his forehand. Chambons can also cause sore neck muscles. Incorrect use can therefore spoil a horse's gaits, which would then require weeks of retraining.
Horse tack
Tack is a term used to describe any of the various equipment and accessories worn by horses in the course of their use as domesticated animals. Saddles, stirrups, bridles, halters, reins, bits, harnesses, martingales, and breastplates are all forms of horse tack...
. It is a strap that runs forward from the bottom of the girth
Girth (tack)
A girth, sometimes called a cinch , is a piece of equipment used to keep the saddle in place on a horse or other animal. It passes under the barrel of the equine, usually attached to the saddle on both sides by two or three leather straps called billets...
or surcingle
Surcingle
A surcingle is a strap made of leather or leather-like synthetic materials such as nylon or neoprene, sometimes with elastic, that fastens around a horse's girth area. A surcingle may be used for ground training, some types of in-hand exhibition, and over a saddle or horse pack to stabilize the load...
, and forks. The forks continue to a ring on either side of the bridle
Bridle
A bridle is a piece of equipment used to direct a horse. As defined in the Oxford English Dictionary, the "bridle" includes both the headstall that holds a bit that goes in the mouth of a horse, and the reins that are attached to the bit....
or halter
Halter
A halter, headcollar, or, less often, headstall, is headgear that is used to lead or tie up livestock and, occasionally, other animals; it fits behind the ears , and around the muzzle. To handle the animal, usually a lead rope or lead shank is attached...
, at the base of the crownpiece
Bridle
A bridle is a piece of equipment used to direct a horse. As defined in the Oxford English Dictionary, the "bridle" includes both the headstall that holds a bit that goes in the mouth of a horse, and the reins that are attached to the bit....
. Running through those rings, the forks follow the cheekpiece
Bridle
A bridle is a piece of equipment used to direct a horse. As defined in the Oxford English Dictionary, the "bridle" includes both the headstall that holds a bit that goes in the mouth of a horse, and the reins that are attached to the bit....
s to the bit
Bit (horse)
A bit is a type of horse tack used in equestrian activities, usually made of metal or a synthetic material, and is placed in the mouth of a horse or other equid and assists a rider in communicating with the animal. It rests on the bars of the mouth in an interdental region where there are no teeth...
. They may attach to the bit or pass through the bit rings and attach to themselves below the horse's neck.
A chambon prevents the horse from raising its head beyond a fixed point. Raising the head causes the length of the chambon along the cheekpieces to shorten and thus puts reciprocal pressure on the horse's mouth and behind the horse's poll. Horses generally dislike pressure behind the poll and learn to release the pressure by lowering their head. The chambon is used mostly in training horses via longeing
Longeing
Longeing or lungeing is a technique for training horses, where a horse is asked to work at the end of a long line and respond to commands from a handler on the ground who holds the line. It is also a critical component of the sport of equestrian vaulting...
.
The chambon is closely related to the standing martingale (tiedown)
Martingale (tack)
A martingale is any of several designs of tack that are used on horses to control head carriage. Martingales may be seen in a wide variety of equestrian disciplines, both riding and driving...
, which generally is used in riding. The chambon has the opposite function to a bearing rein
Bearing rein
A bearing rein, known today as an overcheck or a checkrein, is a piece of horse tack that runs from a point on the horse's back, over the head, to a bit. A bearing rein is used to prevent the horse from lowering its head beyond a fixed point...
.
Use in longeing
The chambon was originally intended for longeingLongeing
Longeing or lungeing is a technique for training horses, where a horse is asked to work at the end of a long line and respond to commands from a handler on the ground who holds the line. It is also a critical component of the sport of equestrian vaulting...
and free schooling. It is advanced equipment for use by knowledgeable trainers. A chambon is not a way to quickly fix the head set of a horse. It is merely to help develop the correct muscle. Chambons help a horse to develop the muscles of their back and topline. It applies pressure to the poll and mouth of the horse when he raises his head, releasing when the horse stretches long and low, down toward the ground. When a horse is longed correctly, and the chambon is correctly adjusted, the horse stretches down and raises his back.
Before using a chambon, the horse is taught to give correctly while worked in hand. If not, the horse may not know to lower his head to the pressure, may panic when he feels the upward and ungiving pressure on the bit, and possibly rear. The advantage of the chambon is that it only comes into effect when the horse raises his head, so the horse has some control on its action. It generally works very well on horses in adjusting their head position. However, it has no direct effect on the hindquarters, so it must be used skillfully.
If a horse is not longed properly, he may begin to go on his forehand. Chambons can also cause sore neck muscles. Incorrect use can therefore spoil a horse's gaits, which would then require weeks of retraining.