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Lip Chains in Halter: Good or Bad for the Industry?

Once again it is time for the annual AQHA Convention. This year marks the Association’s 75th year and big celebration plans are in the works. With the pre-convention announcement of the new Executive Vice President Craig Huffhines, speculative chatter turns to agenda items.

One of this year’s hot topics is the use of the lip chain in halter classes. The subject has created much debate – its merits and drawbacks argued back and forth like the rule itself. And like most controversial matters, there are consequences stretching beyond the ruling itself.

The use of lip chains was allowed in all halter classes until 2008. Rules then changed to allow only stallions one year or older to be shown with a lip chain. Then in 2012, the rules changed again, this time to include youth and amateurs showing yearling or older mares and geldings. This is where the rule stands today. This rule, like every rule change proposal, has many stages to go through before a final decision will be made.

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gretchen mathesAQHA trainer and judge, Gretchen Mathes feels this rule “affects all of us.” Mathes strongly advocates the use of a lip chain, and unlike some who are against it, does not find its use abusive. “Just the opposite – its use creates a safer environment for everyone, not just those who find themselves holding onto the lead but for everyone in the warm up pen as well as judges and ring stewards.”

“We expect horses to perform in a circus-like environment,” Mathes explains. “Horses can easily become overwhelmed from all the crazy things going on around them at horse shows. This causes stress, can lead to colic and have long-term negative effects on the horse. Used properly, pressure from the lip chain releases endorphins that calm the horse.”

“We never use anything but a gum chain at Powderbrook Farm,” states Mathes. “All of our veterinarians prefer to use a gum chain over a twitch to keep horses under control. My vets tell me that, ‘mild pressure produces endorphins’ and calm a horse. In seconds they relax.”

Mathes likens the lip chain to “a rider hugging the horse with their leg. It’s just like the horse that gets nervous when a rider takes their leg away from the horse or braces in the stirrups; the halter horse depends on the handler for safety and control. The lip chain has a similar effect as the hug blanket does on dogs who get rattled during storms.”

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Mathes said it is “very rare to see improper use of the lip chain. Stewards and professional won’t allow it. As a piece of equipment, it is reasonably difficult to abuse – especially with the keeper. The keeper prevents the chain from getting too tight or dropping into the horse’s mouth.”

“No one wants to be in the warm up pen and create a dangerous situation for others,” Mathes said. “The use of the lip chain gives both horses and their handlers the confidence to show their horses.” She also feels that each situation is different, “Outdoor shows in sunny Florida are a completely different atmosphere than an air conditioned coliseum.”

10 Things I Love and Hate with Ted Turner Jr.World Champion halter trainer, Ted Turner agrees with Mathes. Turner says, “conditions at horse shows excite the horses and the lip chain provides a tool to keep the horses calm and under control.” He likens it to “driving a car without power steering” and feels the lip chain is “like a security blanket. It makes youth and amateurs especially feel more secure when they go in the pen.” Turner fears the elimination of the lip chain “will hurt the halter business” and has written letters to provide support for keeping the lip chain in use.

Bennie Sargent, 2006 AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year, AQHA judge and trainer, disagrees. He feels that while “studs may need the lip chain, horses and horse trainers adjusted when we could not use lip chains. Our horses looked and Bennie Sargentshowed better without them. The horses became better broke and learned to stand without the use of lip chain.” Bennie said, “With the way the world looks at us today, the lip chain looks harsh. It makes us appear mean and our tactics look inhumane in society’s eyes.”

“I really became aware of it while judging a show that allowed weanlings to use the lip chain. Very few exhibitors could get the weanlings to trot and we had to disqualify several entries,” Sargent said. He feels the lip chain is “bad for the industry and would like to see its use limited to stallions only.”

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Halter trainer, Kathi Lawrence submitted one of the rule change proposals. Her proposal is to delete the current lip chain rule and allow all halter horses to use the lip chain. She wants members to consider “these horses are fit like race horses and there is no way you can simulate a coliseum type situation at home. There is a buzz at horse shows that you simply cannot recreate and my amateurs, most of whom are 60 years or older, simply do not feel secure without the use of the lip chain.”

kathi“I have more than one client who deals with a physical ailment but does not want to sit on the sidelines. They want to show horses and halter is an event they can still compete in, but they need the lip chain to handle the horse in the show arena,” Lawrence said.

Lawrence also advocates the use of the lip chain on weanlings. She notes, “The incidence of babies flipping over without lip chains is high. The lip chain prevents the babies from hurting themselves.” Lawrence asked, “Aesthetically, would we rather see the lip chain or see babies flipping over? These horses are trained before they get to the horse show. The lip chain has a calming effect on the horses – it is not a weapon and it is not a training device – it is a calming aid.”

Fred Benker, DVM is not sure if the lip chain releases endorphins or just makes the horses pay better attention to the handler. Benker does know that, “it is a great tool for horsemen. Most mares in the breeding shed can be held with a lip chain and we can avoid having to use the twitch or tranquilizer.” Benker said, “We should not tolerate misuse of any piece of equipment.”

Amy Mackie SmithFor amateur, Amy Mackie Smith, who is opposed to using lip chains, reveals, “The lip chain does not horribly offend me, but I do feel a horse should be able to show without one. They should be prepared at home accordingly. I understand studs especially can get excited in the pen.” But Smith feels, “a chain under the chin should be sufficient for control.”

Though, Smith does not claim to be an authority, “I’ve only shown my stallion under saddle and have not shown much halter,” she admits. “I do think the Quarter Horse, by definition, is an all-around horse, known for its good mind, and, therefore, should be able to be handled with little restraint.”

Wayne-HalvorsonAQHA judge and trainer, Wayne Halvorson has been showing, training, breeding and judging halter horses for over 30 years. Halvorson helped write the current rules and feels that the current rules provide guidelines for dismissal of horses whose behavior is unacceptable and exhibitors who misuse any piece of equipment.

“No one wants misuse of equipment to be overlooked or to go unnoticed,” said Halvorson. “Rules currently allow judges to disqualify ‘any animal whose behavior is disruptive or dangerous.’ Any time a handler misuses equipment they should be penalized.”

Halvorson feels the biggest threat to our industry is dissension within the ranks. “There is strength in numbers and unity. Finger pointing does nothing but divide members giving ammunition to our opponents,” he said.

kevin dukesAQHA trainer Kevin Dukes says, “Putting the lip chain in the hands of our children and amateurs has the potential to lead to even more dangerous situations. He believes, “the lip chain should only be in the hands of horsemen who understand the significance of the pressure placed on the horse and know the importance of releasing pressure to avoid dangerous situations.”

“The fact that I always hear ‘lip chain’ used synonymously with ‘twitch’ is indication enough that the lip chain is equipment that should only be used by professionals for managing difficult situations,” Dukes said. “Personally, I have always felt the quarter horse’s temperament is our greatest attribute–leading a horse into the pen with a lip chain destroys that image for me.”

Jason Smith halter 926c6cee-9186-d4f2-343fcc97bc8f05f0Halter trainer, Jason Smith does not understand, “why they would want to take a struggling discipline and take away the one tool that helps those who need it most: the youth and the Select.” Smith said, “there is no record of any abuse from the use of the lip chain.” He too feels that, “any abuse should be strictly prohibited but feels there is undue pressure on the halter horses with no record of abuse.”

GerriLeighPrattStill others, like Gerri Leigh-Pratt feel as though it helps them present their horse. Gerri said, “It is simply easier to present the horses with the lip chain, they are not dragging you all over the show pen.” But Gerri admits, “I will show either way.”

No doubt there are opposing arguments for every issue surrounding this matter: supporters suggest children cannot handle horses without the lip chain while the opponents challenge the very notion that any child is safe holding a horse with a lip chain. Both sides passionately defend their position and both sides have been busy rallying support for a favorable vote.

Either way, the rule has many stages to pass through before meeting a final ruling and members who make the final decision have a heavy burden to bear. The very fact that this rule has flip-flopped back and forth over the last decade attests to the vast differences of opinion. The Executive Committee of AQHA, with two new and soon to be nominated members, will have final say on the outcome some time in April.

Should lip chains be allowed in halter classes?

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Photos © K.C. Montgomery and GoHorseShow.com

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