Side-Reins

[Gracie]

Hi guys!!!!!
I have a question about side-reins!
Are they the same thing as draw reins?
What are the benifits of using side-reins? What are the draw backs? Are they a cruel training method? What do they encourage the horse to do excactly? Thanks for any answers!

[Spydgal]

Hi

Side reins attach to a surcingle/girth and then to the bit rings. They aim to teach the horse head carriage.

Draw reins attach to the surcingle/girth then run through the bit rings to the persons hands. They are used as a training aid to encourage a horse to lower its head

Hope this helps :)

Z

[tasha]

Side reins are NOT cruel and are pretty vital when it comes to teaching horses to work into a contact.

Draw reins however, are considered more of a hindrance than a so called 'aid', as the horse becomes stiff in front, often not ridden into the bridle to work from behind and just goes round with its head forced to its chest.

I also know of horses overworked onto draw reins who then refuse to work on a contact unless forced to in the draw reins.

You can also attach DR from the saddle D rings->bit->rider's hands.

[kelsey]

I just read an article featuring Heather Moffett in Your Horse (I think), and she says that a short time in incorrectly used draw reins can permanently damage a horse's muscles.

I went to a Morgan show a couple of years ago in which it seemed very fashionable to school some of the horses for hours before every class with their heads cranked in to their chests.

Unfortunately these were the horses that were winning every class.

[Dizzy]

Side riens are used when you lunge a horse, used correctly in my opinion they are a good tool. But should not be used as a controlling aid, the horse should always seek the bit - not have its exertion foisted on it.

Draw riens are used when you ride, I'll stand corrected as I get confused between draw and running riens. But I'm sure draw riens are attached to the girth, run up and through the bit rings onto the the riders hand. Used correctly they should only come into play when the horse trys to evade the bit by raising its head and hollowing. They are often abused and used as a restriction and a braking aid. Used badly they are extremely severe, and can create worse evasions.

Personally I would never use draw reins, there is a saying - which I've quoted before ' they should only be used by experts, but experts don't need them.'

Apologies about getting on my high horse, but I do not like them
:mad:

As an absolute last resort, with a very confused horse, in the hands of a very experienced, sympathetic rider - maybe. But you normally find the problem lies in the fact that you have a very sensitive, confused and/or uneducated horse, combined with an inexperienced rider Experience is not down to years in the saddle. Its knowing how to communicate with the horse, accept its insecurities and work from there.

Force and restriction should never be part of the equation, but retiring to a small, dark room and screaming is acceptable:D

Lesley

[Gracie]

I hate draw reins as well! But I just wasn't sure if draw reins were similar to side reins.. I was all confused!lol:rolleyes: