Bungee Training Reins

[Footlights]

I would not normally consider 'gadgets' but feel that there are some instances when, if used properly, they can be beneficial.

I have ordered a John Whitake Bungee Rein for my ex racer who likes to stick his head in the air, and just wanted some advice from people who have used one before -

Did you attach it down between the front legs or have it running back to the saddle?

Did it help?

How long did you need to use it before your horse realised what you were asking?

FYI - His back, saddle, teeth etc have been checked

Thanks

 

[Goldenstar]

You can either fix ir between the legs or to the bottom of the saddle or low down at elbowish hieght I have a breaking roller with loads of rings at different hieghts I vary it according to the horse.
I prefer inbetween legs for riding I don't like the bungee near my foot but many people use them like that.

 

[Suziq77]

You can either fix ir between the legs or to the bottom of the saddle or low down at elbowish hieght I have a breaking roller with loads of rings at different hieghts I vary it according to the horse.
I prefer inbetween legs for riding I don't like the bungee near my foot but many people use them like that.

I use it like this too, and also hate it near my feet when I'm riding! For riding I have a girth that has Ds on it between the legs and behind the elbows which I got from barnstormers. For lunging I use it with a roller.

Personally I lunge with it on pretty loosely first so I can watch how the horse is reacting rather than just jumping aboard - but I seem to have turned into a worry wart in my old age

 

[stargirl88]

I used to use bungee reins alot, attached between the legs. My horse has a tendency of tanking along with her head in the air, but I found that it actually really helped. Tis the only bit of equipment I like to lunge in!

 

[Footlights]

Thanks, my horse is a bit of a stress head when lunging so think I will lead him round in it first and then hop on.

I do worry that if he panics and it is attached between his legs I won't be able to do anything about it though?

 

[Suziq77]

I do worry that if he panics and it is attached between his legs I won't be able to do anything about it though?

That's exactly why I prefer to test on the lunge first. Have it on loosely but not so loose that it is flapping around, so he can feel it but isn't at all restricted when standing up properly for you before you start off on the lunge. Start off with some walk halt walk halt transitions so he can feel it coming into play very gently, then if all seems well try some trot walk trot transitions.

Panics tend to come if the horse is uptight about lunging generally, such that they break into trot immediately they are asked to move out of "stand" (or don't even stand at the start anyway. This sort of horse needs more basic work before a bungee would be doing any good anyway IMO.

A horse which trusts you and is response to your voice on the lunge already shouldn't generally head off into a blind panic / panic so quickly you don't have time to rescue the situation back to halt.

Then there's the ones which have had a bad experience in the past for which the bungee triggers memories of being tied down/restricted - with those ones you can generally (but not always) see this discomfort when you first try it on in the stable as it passes over their poll and gets taken down. They're also the main reason why I don't just hop on!

 

[Imogen_]

I would not normally consider 'gadgets' but feel that there are some instances when, if used properly, they can be beneficial.

I have ordered a John Whitake Bungee Rein for my ex racer who likes to stick his head in the air, and just wanted some advice from people who have used one before -

Did you attach it down between the front legs or have it running back to the saddle?

Did it help?

How long did you need to use it before your horse realised what you were asking?

FYI - His back, saddle, teeth etc have been checked

Thanks

How long have you had him? What do you wish to do with him and have you had an instructor to help?

 

[Goldenstar]

Thanks, my horse is a bit of a stress head when lunging so think I will lead him round in it first and then hop on.

I do worry that if he panics and it is attached between his legs I won't be able to do anything about it though?

I always tie to a leather boot lace at first so it breaks easily and you don't have to grovel underneath quite so much to take it on and off.