Can draw reins give horses bad backs?

[Paint it Lucky]

If someone were to start suddenly riding a horse in tight draw reins (when the horse wasn't used to it), for up to an hour at a time, without loosening the horse up first, just getting straight on and making the reins really tight so the horse was forced to have it's head in; and then the horse started to get a bad back do you think the draw reins (and the way they are used) could be the cause?

And if so, how would you tell the person (who owns the horse), that they are the cause?

 

[Irishcobs]

Sounds like the owner needs a bloody slap! Who on earth would do that? I'm sure draw reins used like that would hurt the horses back and I would tell them.

 

[KatB]

Yes, draw reins can have a diabolical effect on horses backs if not used in the right hands.....

 

[carthorse]

Hate the things, very rarely used correctly

 

[cariadssogreat]

Yep the pony that I have taken on to reschool had previously ruptured a shoulder muscle due to excessive use of draw reins.

 

[lastresort]

I bought a horse who had over done it i the draw reins and he had pulled muscles in his neck, he was so stiff and awkward and then he stopped jumping having apparently got a bad back, all were connected i reakon. If in the wrong hands can do so much damage

 

[icestationzebra]

That person deserves to be shot!

 

[Baggybreeches]

The short answer is YES! However like all other schooling aids they can be very beneficial if used correctly

 

[Paint it Lucky]

Thanks everyone, I thought so!

The poor horse now keeps bucking, is reluctant to be saddled (though his saddle is a good fit) and has started refusing to jump (when he used to be a really good bold jumper). The girl thinks she is helping him by using the draw reins but she isn't using them correctly so is just making the problem worse. But she is one of my best friends, so how can I tell her she needs to change her riding without sounding patronising/arrogant and without her falling out with me?

 

[dieseldog]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks everyone, I thought so!

The poor horse now keeps bucking, is reluctant to be saddled (though his saddle is a good fit) and has started refusing to jump (when he used to be a really good bold jumper). The girl thinks she is helping him by using the draw reins but she isn't using them correctly so is just making the problem worse. But she is one of my best friends, so how can I tell her she needs to change her riding without sounding patronising/arrogant and without her falling out with me?

[/ QUOTE ]

You can't is the simple answer, maybe you should ask someone more experienced to have a word with her. Someone she respects as a horseperson. Good Luck.

 

[AmyMay]

Yes most definately if not used correctly.

Come and speak to my new horse - he'll tell you all about it.

 

[alicep]

could you recommend a harbridge? IMO i think they are way more forgiving and i got loads of advice from the forum guru's here. maybe you could chat to her and say you have been told about draw reins being damaging and try and convince her a harbridge is the way to go? but still i would say the horse needs to warm up and stretch out before you slap its head to its chest!

 

[Dovorian]

The WHitaker taining aid (bungee type of thing) is super too - gets better results!

 

[Tempi]

sounds like whoever is doing that is totally incompetant - have a word with the person who deals with said horses back and mention the draw reins. Then get the physio or whoever to say to the owner that its the draw reins that are damamging the horses back.