Draw reins

[kawa7]

Hi
has anybody used draw reins ?
I have been given some as my horse doesn't come down on the bit all the time.
Will they do more harm than good?
Or should I not use them at all?

Need help/advice as I know that if they are used incorrectly they can do great harm to the horse.

Please advise.
thx.

[gordysgirl]

I would NOT recommend them for getting your horse to 'come down' onto the bit - they will simply 'hold' his head in! For your horse to be working into a contact & 'on the bit' he needs to be working from behind. I would suggest asking an instructor or knowledgeable friend to give you a hand.

Have used draw reins in the past when my horse to rear - again many people may disagree on there use for that purpose!

[eventerbabe]

i'd wrap em round the neck of the person who gave them to you! best place for them ;) back on a serious note, no, in the situation you describe i wouldn't use them. The potential for permenant damage far outweighs any benifits IMO. Work on spirals (spiral in off a 20m circle to a 10m circle then leg yield out), leg yielding, half halts etc. to get the hind end engaged, then the front end should follow :) it's hard for a horse (to start with) to keep a consistent outline so be patient. good luck!

[inhs]

try this instead:

http://irishnhsociety.proboards41.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=usefulinformation&thread=1189155540&page=1

[kawa7]

Thanks all for replying- didn't like the look of them- will bin them when I get home!!!

Will practise spiraling in, leg yielding.

XX

[capalldubh]

Here's a really helpful link from another member (I really enjoyed reading this earlier :)). Working correctly... "On the bit" (http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140235)

[Pale Moon]

I think draw-reins are the devil and should be banned.

There is someone on my yard who uses them everytime she rides to make her horse go "on the bit", what she fails to see if that her poor horse has its nose clamped to its breastbone because she's holding there with the draw reins, it looks very pretty, but isn't working from its back end at all.

They can cause a great deal of damage if used in experienced hands.

I absolutely hate them.

[xloopylozzax]

I think draw-reins are the devil and should be banned.

There is someone on my yard who uses them everytime she rides to make her horse go "on the bit"

using them everytime you ride is wrong, but used correctly for a short amount of time (couple of minutes) for older more set in there ways, theres no way im going to change now types of horses they can be usefull.
on younger horses or horses that have only just been broken then there should be no reason, they should have been taught correctly from the off.

they arent the devil and shouldnt be banned, used correctly for remedial schooling (reminding them what they should do) and by experienced, light hands they are ok. they arent a quick fix and shouldnt be used like the person referred to in the quote.

to answer the question in the thread, no you shouldnt because (from the sounds of it correct me if i am wrong) you dont understand what they do, how they work and what you are aiming to produce. IMHO if you have to ask about something before you do it, then you probably shouldnt do it ;)

[NicP]

I am convinced somebody used them badly on my boy - so is my RI.

When I ask him to come onto the bit he over-bends and drops the contact completely. It is not a pleasant feeling to have a horse of 16.2hh but feel like you have nothing in front of you!!

I wouldn't ever use them personally - I know they can be OK as described above but I am not a good enough rider to use them and am happy to admit that.

[chev]

IMHO if you have to ask about something before you do it, then you probably shouldnt do it ;)


On the other hand, if more people asked before using them they might learn what they're actually designed for, rather than using them to get a head set and fewer horses would be subjected to the 'winch 'em' in' attitude of some users.

(And I'm not suggesting anyone in particular misuses them...)

[xloopylozzax]

On the other hand, if more people asked before using them they might learn what they're actually designed for, rather than using them to get a head set and fewer horses would be subjected to the 'winch 'em' in' attitude of some users.


absolutely, the people who ask could use them even if they arent planning on or even wanting to use them, the ones that just stick them on and dont ask are the ones that need to ask.

you phrased what i think i meant much better and clearer :)

[Daffy Dilly]

I wouldn't necessarily chuck them, they can make good longlines, or even a lunge line if you only clip one end on. ;)

[kawa7]

Hi everybody:)
last night I asked my YO to help me with the draw reins- she showed me how to put them on, she then mounted and showed me how to use them properly.
I mounted and she taught me- what a difference to my horse- just wanted to feel how she should carry herself.

I can see how they could be used incorrectly- which is why I asked my YO who is an instructor also.

My horse was a different girl to ride- so light in her shoulder- as she leans on her front end.
Will only use under guidance, as a learning lesson for me.

Don't worry- I won't over use them , but was a good lesson in how her head should be carried- must say she worked brilliantly and she did actually look tired after we had finished.

Will keep you all updated, but thanks for all your comments- much appreciated.
x

[Bay Mare]

I wouldn't necessarily chuck them, they can make good longlines, or even a lunge line if you only clip one end on. ;)

That's the only use that I'd put them to as well!


Tug of War: Classical Versus "Modern" Dressage by Dr Gerd Heuschmann (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tug-War-Classical-%2522Modern%2522-Dressage/dp/0851319505/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206564523&sr=8-2) is an excellent book to read for everyone, especially those considering using draw reins or hyperflexion.

Working the horse correctly from behind will result in a correct head carriage.

Using anything to put the head into a 'pretty' position won't have a positive effect on the back end. Quite the contrary.

There are very few people who are experienced enough (and I don't count a lot of RI's/YOs to be experienced enough) to use draw reins as they *should* be used. Those who are use experienced enough them for a specific reason, for a very short time and for remedial training and most importantly, rarely!

I like the quotation:

"Those who are experienced enough (to use draw reins) have no need for them. Those who aren't experienced enough have no business using them".


To take a quote from Dr Heuschmann's book:

In a Nutshell

Signs of a 'compressed' horse (ridden from front to back):


Absolute elevation
Broken neckline
"Fixed" or hollow back
High croup
Damaged or ruined basic gaits
Ambling at the walk
Disrupted diagonal at the trot ("throwing" the front legs with slow trailing hind legs)
Four beat canter
Toe flicking during trot extensions



Obviously it's your choice but correct training is the only way to achieve a GOOD and FUNCTIONAL outline and is more beneficial to the horse in the long run.

[gordysgirl]

TBH now you have felt what you think it should feel like - and the correct result of a horse working through from behind in a developed outline will probably feel totally different to one with its head held in, then I would ditch them. You have a gist of what you want to achieve so now crack on with schooling her & engaging the back end until you get that result.
Please don't use the draw reins, they really are of no benefit.
If your mare struggles to hold herself or needs to re build the correct muscles, then try lunging her in a pessoa, this will encourage the correct outline without holding her into it. It will help engage behind & build all those desired muslces.