Draw Reins

[BabygirlGR]

Do you have any information on using draw reins and what they do?

[Sarah]

Draw reins are used to hold the horse's head down to make it look like the horse is in an outline, but they don't actually help to engage the horse at all.

Working for as short a time as 20mins in draw reins can cause irreprable damage to teh nuchal ligaments - you can usually spot a horse that has been ridden in draw reins and they have a 'broken neck' - the crest of the neck goes up then suddenly goes horizontal, whereas a horse that is working through properly has a gradual curve up the crest.

There have been tons of posts on draw reins here, have a search and see what you can find. Personally i wouln't let ANY rider (not matter how good) anywhere NEAR my horses with draw reins!

bye!

[kedwards]

Sarah's description of the common result is accurate. I've seen too many horses learn to over-bend and get behind the bit because of draw reins.

But, to answer your question directly, draw reins essentially turn your direct bit-to-hand action into a pulley, so that the horse feels substantially more pressure on the bit then you are carrying in your hand. The horse can reduce the pulley action by drawing his head closer to the point where the rein is attached and farther away from your hands (down and in). The result, is often a horse that learns to "back away" from the bit by tucking his head to his chest.

Like Sarah, I would not use them on my horse nor would I let anyone else. This was a big source of contention between me and an old trainer who wanted me to put them on Bud. Nope. Not going to do it.

[Wally]

There are many types of rein like draw reins designed to make a horse tuck his nose in. The fact that his back legs are in the next county isn't really addressed. True outline and engagement comes from the back end.

Remember Mr. Abbot Davis who invented the "Abbot Davis Balancing rein" A horse he used it on reacted badly rearing up and over and killing him!

They have their place, but not in my tack room!

[Jamey]

I don't like draw reins at all. I do use side reins when I'm lunging Sasha but this is for a number of reasons. She has a tendency to lean on your inside rein and motorbike around corners but she due to the way side reins work she cannot do this as the inside rein is slack. I can also see that she is using her 'engine' well while she is on the lunge as I can watch how she is using herself. I hope that if she carries herself and balances herself on the lunge, it will have a positive effect when I ride her. I would then hopefully not need to rely on draw reins. Sorry, bit of a jumbled reply! :D