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Chambon

A chambon is a type of horse tack used as a training aid during lunging or free schooling to encourage the horse to work in a longer, lower outline. It consists of straps that connect from the girth or surcingle, fork to rings on the bridle or halter, pass through the bit rings, and attach back to the saddle or girth, limiting the horse's ability to raise its head excessively. By applying pressure to the poll and mouth when the head is lifted, the chambon promotes relaxation of the back muscles, strengthening of the topline, and development of proper collection without restricting forward movement. Originally developed in France, the chambon draws from classical dressage principles to aid young or unfit horses in learning to carry themselves correctly, though it should only be used under supervision and after basic training to avoid resistance or injury. It differs from more restrictive aids like side reins by allowing greater freedom in the neck while still guiding the head position.^[1]

Overview

Definition and Purpose

The Chambon is a flexible strap system used in horse tack, consisting of cords or straps that attach to the girth or surcingle, pass between the horse's forelegs, run through the bit rings, and fork upward to connect to rings at the poll or noseband of the bridle.^[2]^[3] This configuration allows the device to limit excessive upward movement of the horse's head while permitting freedom in a lowered position.^[4] The primary purpose of the Chambon is to encourage the horse to maintain a longer, lower outline during ground-based training, such as lungeing, by promoting relaxation in the back muscles and fostering development of the topline without imposing a rigid or fixed head carriage.^[2]^[4] It achieves this through a mechanism of applied pressure: when the horse raises its head beyond a comfortable level, tension increases on the poll and the corners of the mouth via the bit acting as a gag, prompting the animal to stretch the neck forward and downward for relief.^[3]^[4] This reward-based release supports suppleness in the back, loins, and hindquarters, particularly benefiting horses with a hollow back or underdeveloped topline muscles.^[2] As a ground training aid, the Chambon is classified among "stiff rein" devices, which regulate head and neck position to enhance overall balance and evenly distribute load across the limbs during exercise.^[5] It shifts the horse's center of mass rearward, increasing hindlimb engagement without constant restraint, thereby aiding in the natural effort of locomotion.^[5]

Historical Development

The Chambon was invented in the early 1900s by a member of the French Cadre Noir riding school and named after its creator.^[6]^[7] The Cadre Noir, established in 1825 as part of the French military's equestrian training institution, emphasized disciplined horsemanship and the development of supple, balanced movement in horses.^[8] Emerging within the traditions of French classical dressage, the Chambon addressed common issues in horse carriage, such as hollow backs and high head positions that hindered proper engagement of the hindquarters and back muscles.^[1]^[2] This innovation built upon established 19th-century lungeing practices in European equestrianism, where groundwork on a circle was used to build foundational strength and flexibility without a rider's weight.^[9] The device's popularity grew in the mid- to late 20th century as equestrian training literature expanded its application in lungeing programs for developing topline muscles. Sarah Muir and Debby Sly's 2001 book The Complete Horse and Rider helped formalize its role as a tool for encouraging a longer, lower outline in training regimens.^[10] Since its inception, the Chambon has seen no significant design modifications, retaining its original configuration of straps connecting the bit to the surcingle via the horse's front legs. However, its use has sparked debates among trainers, with some viewing it as a valuable tool for suppleness and others criticizing it as a gimmick that may encourage incorrect postures if misused.^[11] In contemporary welfare-focused equestrian practices, its use has faced increased scrutiny to ensure it promotes relaxation rather than restriction, with governing bodies like the FEI stipulating that such aids must not negatively impact horse well-being.^[12]

Design and Components

Parts of the Chambon

The Chambon is composed of a primary leather strap that buckles to the girth or surcingle and extends forward between the horse's forelegs, where it bifurcates into two narrower cords or forks in front of the chest.^[13] These cords, typically constructed from durable nylon, connect to the bit rings using snap hooks and route upward along the sides of the horse's face.^[2] A separate leather headpiece, positioned over the poll, incorporates rings or loops through which the cords pass for guided assembly.^[2]^[13] Common materials include high-quality leather for the main strap and headpiece to ensure strength and comfort, paired with nylon cords for flexibility and resistance to wear; stainless steel hardware, such as buckles, rings, and snap hooks, provides secure and corrosion-resistant connections.^[14]^[2] The main strap is generally 3/4 to 1 inch wide, with adjustable lengths varying by horse size—typically 29 to 33.5 inches for the girth strap in full-size models.^[15] Key features encompass sliding rings on the headpiece to facilitate smooth cord movement and even load distribution, along with multiple adjustment holes or buckles on the straps for precise fitting across different equine builds.^[13]^[15] Variations range from basic fixed-length designs to fully adjustable models with extended buckle options; some incorporate elastic inserts within the cords to introduce forgiving stretch, while others include quick-release snap clips on the attachments for enhanced safety during setup.^[16]^[13]^[17]

Fitting and Adjustment

To properly fit a Chambon, begin by securing the lower leather strap to the D-rings on the girth or lunge roller, routing it upward between the horse's forelegs. The strap then divides into two adjustable cords that run along the sides of the neck and connect to loops or rings at the poll, typically via a padded headpiece affixed to the bridle for stability. From the poll connections, attach the cords to the bit rings using snap hooks or clips, allowing for free sliding if the design permits dynamic movement. Throughout installation, maintain even tension on both cords to prevent sagging or imbalance, which could lead to uneven pressure on the horse's head.^[2]^[18]^[19] Adjustment of the Chambon focuses on achieving a length where the cords remain slack or minimally taut when the horse stands or moves in the desired lowered outline, engaging pressure only upon head elevation to encourage stretching without restriction. Set the cords to activate solely when the head lifts beyond the correct position, applying leverage via the poll and bit corners to prompt forward-downward carriage; this typically occurs with a rise of several inches above the outline. Test the setup by leading the horse at a walk, confirming no persistent pull on the bit or poll during relaxed movement, and gradually shorten the cords as the horse warms up if needed to refine responsiveness.^[2]^[4]^[19] Sizing a Chambon requires selecting from options tailored to the horse's build, such as pony for smaller equines under 14.2 hands, cob or full for medium breeds around 15-16 hands, and oversize or warmblood variants for larger horses over 16 hands to ensure adequate length without excess. To verify fit, assess the span from the girth D-rings to the poll area, adjusting straps via buckles or additional holes to accommodate the horse's conformation and prevent slippage. Monitor for any shifting during initial test fittings in a controlled environment.^[20]^[21]

Usage

In Lungeing Training

In lungeing training, the Chambon is introduced after the horse has established basic lungeing proficiency without aids, typically beginning with sessions on the lunge line at a walk and progressing to trot for an initial duration of 10-15 minutes. The handler attaches the device to the surcingle or roller and bit rings, ensuring it activates via poll pressure to limit head-raising and encourage a downward stretch, while using a lunge whip positioned at the horse's haunches to promote forward impulsion and prevent evasion. This protocol focuses on controlled movement, starting in one direction before switching to maintain even development, with sessions limited to a maximum of 20 minutes to avoid fatigue.^[2]^[1]^[22] Training progression with the Chambon spans 4-6 weeks, commencing with uncontacted lungeing to solidify foundational balance and responsiveness, then incorporating the aid 4 times per week to gradually teach a consistent stretching outline. Sessions alternate between directions to foster symmetrical muscle use, beginning with longer cord adjustments that allow slight head elevation before shortening them incrementally as the horse adapts, ensuring the device engages only when the head lifts excessively. The head-lowering mechanism, reliant on poll pressure, is briefly referenced here as it supports the stretch without restricting natural movement. By the end of this period, the Chambon is removed once the horse maintains the desired frame independently at walk and trot.^[1]^[2]^[22] The handler plays a central role by maintaining a consistent 20-30 foot radius circle to promote balanced turning, holding light contact on the lunge line that follows the horse's head movements without pulling. Monitoring for acceptance involves observing a relaxed poll—indicated by soft jaw flexion and even strides—and a swinging back, which signals proper engagement; any resistance, such as head tossing or rhythm disruption, prompts immediate adjustments or session cessation. The lunge whip is employed strategically to reinforce activity from behind, ensuring the horse moves forward into the aid's gentle guidance.^[1]^[2]^[22]

Benefits to the Horse

The Chambon promotes muscle development in the horse's topline, neck, and hindquarters by encouraging a rounded back frame during lunging, which facilitates greater engagement of the back muscles. Thermographic studies have demonstrated increased superficial temperatures in the back and neck regions when using the Chambon, indicating heightened muscle activation compared to free movement; for instance, mean temperatures in the back rose to 37.57°C post-lunging with the Chambon versus 32.00°C without aids, reflecting enhanced muscular effort.^[23] This activation strengthens the topline and hindquarters, as the aid supports a lower, stretched outline that engages the abdominal muscles and encourages hindleg swing under the body.^[2] Behaviorally, the Chambon reduces high-headed evasion by applying gentle poll pressure only when the horse raises its head, thereby encouraging self-carriage, relaxation, and a softened response to contact.^[24] It is particularly beneficial for young horses or those requiring retraining, such as ex-racehorses, helping them learn to maintain a steady, lowered frame without resistance and fostering overall relaxation during groundwork.^[24] In the long term, the Chambon builds a foundation for ridden work by improving overall suppleness and back strength without relying on force, making it effective for breeds prone to hollow backs, such as Thoroughbreds.^[2] This non-invasive approach enhances the horse's ability to carry itself correctly under saddle, supporting sustained muscle development and postural balance over time.^[25]

Comparisons with Other Aids

Versus De Gogue

The Chambon and the De Gogue are both elastic training aids designed to encourage a horse to work in a longer, lower outline, but they differ significantly in their mechanical setup. The Chambon employs a single strap system that clips directly to the bit rings, passes through loops on a poll strap, and attaches to a girth or roller via a strap between the forelegs, applying pressure to the poll and bit only when the horse raises its head excessively, thereby promoting relaxation in the back muscles during such movements. In contrast, the De Gogue uses multiple elastic cords that pass through the bit rings without clipping, forming a triangular configuration by connecting to a breast strap or girth using specially adapted reins or attachments, which encourages engagement of the hind end by applying pressure when the horse raises its head excessively.^[25]^[13]^[3] In terms of application, the Chambon is primarily restricted to lungeing or loose schooling exercises, where it helps relax and develop the horse's back without the added complexity of a rider's weight. The De Gogue, however, offers greater versatility, suitable for both lungeing and light ridden work, as its design allows integration with regular reins to encourage hindquarter drive and overall balance during movement.^[26]^[25]^[3] Regarding effectiveness, the Chambon excels in initial stretching phases for horses that tend to carry their heads high, gently discouraging evasion by rewarding a lowered poll and fostering topline suppleness without overcomplicating the aid's action. The De Gogue, being more advanced, promotes collection and hind-end propulsion for a rounder frame but carries a higher risk of over-bending the neck if adjusted too tightly, potentially leading to incorrect posture if the horse lacks sufficient forward impulsion.^[26]^[25]^[3]

Versus Side Reins

The Chambon and side reins are both auxiliary training aids used in equine lunging to encourage proper head and neck carriage, but they differ significantly in design and mechanism. The Chambon consists of straps that connect from the poll via the headpiece, running through the bit rings, allowing the horse vertical freedom in head movement while applying elastic-like forgiveness; when the horse raises its head excessively, it creates pressure on the poll and mouth corners, rewarding a lowered position by releasing tension.^[4] In contrast, side reins are fixed leather straps (often with optional elastic inserts) that attach directly from the bit rings to the sides of a surcingle or girth, rigidly limiting both lateral bending and vertical range to maintain a consistent frame without the poll-based feedback of the Chambon.^[13]^[4] In terms of application, the Chambon is primarily employed during early-stage lungeing sessions to promote a long-and-low stretching outline, fostering relaxation and topline development without restricting sideways movement, which supports natural rhythm and balance.^[27] Side reins, however, serve a broader scope, aiding in frame maintenance during both lungeing and under-saddle work for beginners, often requiring a surcingle for attachment; they can be adjusted for various outlines, from stretched to more collected, but demand careful setup to avoid over-restriction.^[13]^[4] While the Chambon's poll connection permits subtle adjustments for length (as detailed in fitting guidelines), side reins typically rely on length and tension tweaks at the girth points.^[4] Regarding effectiveness, the Chambon's design reduces the risk of the horse evading contact by going behind the bit, as it rewards forward-downward stretch through pressure release, helping to build back strength and prevent over-reliance on the bit.^[13] Side reins, by providing steady bit contact, encourage poll flexion and self-carriage but may provoke resistance or a "tug-of-war" if adjusted too short, potentially leading to bracing or incorrect muscle use without the forgiving vertical allowance of the Chambon.^[4]^[27] Overall, the Chambon suits initial suppleness training for high-headed horses, whereas side reins are better for refining contact in more advanced or ridden scenarios.

Safety and Limitations

Proper Use Guidelines

The proper use of the Chambon in horse training emphasizes gradual incorporation to promote safe muscle development and outline maintenance without causing resistance or fatigue. Sessions should be limited to a maximum of 20 minutes of active lunging with the aid, following 10 minutes of preparatory in-hand work, to prevent overexertion, with training occurring at least 4 times per week.^[1] Once the horse consistently maintains a stretched outline independently during lunging at walk and trot, the Chambon should be phased out after several weeks to avoid dependency and encourage self-carriage.^[1] Prerequisites for introducing the Chambon include a horse that is already proficient at basic lunging without aids and responsive to voice commands, ensuring it can move forward willingly into light contact. Training should begin exclusively at the walk to build relaxation and stretch, progressing to trot only when the horse shows consistent even strides and a soft mouth, with canter introduced later if the horse remains relaxed and engaged. Beginners handling the sessions are advised to consult an experienced trainer for guidance, potentially sharing video footage for feedback on technique.^[1] Effective monitoring during use involves observing for signs of proper engagement, such as even, rhythmic strides, a soft and accepting mouth without excessive salivation or resistance, and absence of tail swishing indicating discomfort or tension. The lunge line should allow the horse freedom of movement while providing clear communication, adjusted based on the circle size and horse's responsiveness. As a brief note, ensure the Chambon is fitted correctly per standard adjustment protocols to support these guidelines without restricting natural head position.^[1]

Potential Risks

While the Chambon can be a useful training tool when applied correctly, over-tightening it is a common misuse that applies excessive poll pressure, potentially causing neck soreness, muscle strain in the scalenus and rhomboideus, or even panic responses such as rearing in sensitive horses.^[1] Prolonged sessions without adequate breaks may lead to muscle fatigue in the neck and back, fostering dependency on the aid for maintaining carriage and hindering the horse's natural self-carriage development.^[28] Welfare concerns arise when the Chambon is used on unsuitable horses, such as young or unschooled animals lacking prior training in balanced movement, as it requires a fully broken horse to avoid misalignment and overwork of the trapezius and rhomboideus muscles.^[1] It can be beneficial for horses with existing back pain as part of a rehabilitation program to strengthen the back, but use should be under veterinary guidance to avoid exacerbation of spinal strain from improper application.^[29]^[30] Additionally, as an auxiliary rein, the Chambon is banned in certain competitions for ridden use, particularly over fences or in jumping phases, due to risks of restricted movement and potential welfare violations.^[31] Misuse examples include attaching the Chambon for ridden work or jumping, which is not intended and can lead to falls by limiting the horse's ability to balance or evade obstacles effectively.^[2] Ignoring signs of resistance, such as head tossing or evasion, during lunging may intensify these behaviors, promoting chronic tension rather than relaxation.^[28] To mitigate risks, sessions should adhere to established limits, such as 20 minutes maximum.^[1]

References

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Le Chambon-sur-Lignon is a village on the Vivarais Plateau in the Haute-Loire départment of the Auvergne, a hilly region of south-central France.
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Whereas sliding side-reins, draw-reins, Chambon, and Gogue all aim at stretching the horse's top line forward and down, the OVER-CHECK has quite a different ...
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Chambon (CH): CH links the bit, via the top of the head, to the girth to increase HNA, and is also classified as stiff reins [1]. The LA was always used with ...
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Mar 27, 2025 · San Diego Horse Trainer Will Faerber from Art2Ride discusses the correct use of the french stretching device called the chambon.
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A practical training course on how to ride, with step-by-step color photographs. An illustrated catalog of riding equipment.
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The chambon training aid is a mixture of a De Gogue and a bungie training rein. In contrast to the De Gogue, the cords are attached to the bit rings using snap ...
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### Summary of Camelot™ Chambon Components
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This training aid encourages proper head carriage and topline development. It applies gentle pressure to the poll and mouth for a relaxed frame.Missing: evolution welfare
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