What does chambon mean?

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 chambon has the opposite function to an overcheck or bearing rein, which is used to raise the horse’s head.

What does Gogue?

The Gogue is a piece of horse tack used for training purposes, and is very popular in Europe, with a similar place in training regimes as side reins. Its purpose is to encourage the horse to raise the neck, free the shoulders and engage the hocks, so that he may develop the correct muscles for a rounded topline.

How does a chambon work?

The chambon acts on the poll and, via the bit, on the corners of the mouth. When the horse raises his head higher than desired, the bit is raised in the mouth and poll pressure is applied. As soon as he lowers his head the pressure is removed. In effect, the horse works the chambon.

Can a de Gogue be used on a horse?

The De Gogue can be said to be a variation of the Chambon but, where the Chambon is only designed to be used on the lunge or in loose schooling work, the de Gogue can be used for ridden work as well. It has a similar action of encouraging the horse to lower his head and extend his neck.

Who is the inventor of the de Gogue?

Equine De Gogue. See Also: Draw Reins, Running Reins, Market Harborough and the Chambon. This is a training device that encourages the horse to work in self carriage. The De Gogue has two settings one for lunging and another for ridden work. The De Gogue was invented by Frenchman Rene De Gogue.

Where does the Chambon attach to a horse?

Invented in the early 1900s at the French military Cadre Noir, the chambon is a simple strap that attaches to the girth and comes up under the neck, over the poll, and down to clip on to each side of the bit. I see the chambon as more of a positive reinforcement training tool.

How did Rene Gogue come up with the rein?

René Gogue invented his rein in 1948 and immediately became an adviser of famous European riders. He theorized that poorly or unschooled horses had three points of resistance: the poll, the mouth, and the base of the neck. The triangular system was designed to release that tension.