Can you use side reins when riding?

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noodle_

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question in title!

ive never done this - only when lunging...

but to encourage a horse to work on the bit...??

any other training aids that can be reccomended? (except draw reins as i hate them....)
 
Technically no. As the rider you cannot release side reins in an emergency (for instance if the horse panics and rears) while in the saddle. Draw reins are infact a lot safer because as the rider you can immeadiatly release all tension thus relaxing the horse.
 
Well, you CAN, but not recommended. Why don't you just train him/her to go on the bit properly (i.e. without sidereins, or drawreins for that matter).
 
You can do anything if you want! But riding in side reins is dangerous imo and I'd never start a young horse in side reins whilst ridden.
 
Spanish Riding School teach riders using them so that they learn to feel what is the correct contact.

You use them when lunging a rider so their is no reason why not to use them when riding at other times.
 
no, definetly not! As a rider, you wouldnt have any control over the tightness/slackness whilst on the horse! Side reins are only ever for lungeing! Draw reins or a bungy are your best options, but again, only use these if you are very experienced. Almost like strong bits, in the wrong hands training aids can become dangerous! Even when you think you are using them mildly!
If you have experience then great, if not find someone who does. You never know how your horse will react with training aids, especially ones used to improve topline, muscle etc. Not too many horses like having their heads confined to a certain bend at first.

This sounds bossy but ive seen so many people do it wrong and harm there horses.

Hope this helps :)
 
i have for 12 months :D she does eventually but isnt very consistent

i was totally against training aids :o but used side reins on lunging and noticed the (massive) difference in a short space of time


am just wondering about using something while riding......??

i personally used side reins on my last horse(i was young and stupid).... they did work. But i hear nothing but bad things about them so i strongly dislike them - especially in the wrong hands....
 
oh i dont have anything against training aids.

In the right hands training aids are a saint, but in the wrong hands, they are a sin.

I lunge once a week with side reins and/or lunge with the Pessoa. The pessoa has helped drastically improve the topline of any horse i have ever used it on.

The only training aid im not so keen on his draw reins, but thats just my personal preference.

But again, i strongly advise not to use side reins whilst riding !

Chantelle x
 
I can't be bothered to go into it but riding with side reins is perfectly acceptable...

Like anything.. learn HOW to ride with side reins then all will be well.
 
id rather not use side reins tbh while riding.... i was just curious.

im probably going to get shot down in flames (and i do dislike them!!) but draw reins.... in the RIGHT hands....?... or bungie???

:o :o
 
I found a bungee quite a good aid when I was reschooling my boy - the horse can still lift their head and move around but its just a little bit more work so it encourages them to choose to carry themselves correctly rather than being tethered into place like side reins do. I got faster results with a bungee too - it can be used ridden or on the lunge.
 
Hevs said:
I found a bungee quite a good aid when I was reschooling my boy - the horse can still lift their head and move around but its just a little bit more work so it encourages them to choose to carry themselves correctly rather than being tethered into place like side reins do. I got faster results with a bungee too - it can be used ridden or on the lunge.
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any links where to buy them that arnt like 30 quid!?

the JW one was a tenner, but wasnt sure if that was the "right " one...
 
:D

when I started using them I started with two so as not to put too much pressure on him as it was something new - I also used it for lunging with a back roller on. When he started loosening up and carrying himself in a more relaxed way, I put one on to make it a little harder for him - its just a matter of personal choice if you use one or two but for a horse that isnt used to it I would always say have 2 to start off - thats what I did anyway.

Here's some more info - quite interesting reading with some tips on using and do's and donts

sorry wrong link - will find the correct one
 
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Hevs said:
:D

when I started using them I started with two so as not to put too much pressure on him as it was something new - I also used it for lunging with a back roller on. When he started loosening up and carrying himself in a more relaxed way, I put one on to make it a little harder for him - its just a matter of personal choice if you use one or two but for a horse that isnt used to it I would always say have 2 to start off - thats what I did anyway.

Here's some more info - quite interesting reading with some tips on using and do's and donts

http://www.compassionatehorsetraining.com/Neck_Stretcher.html
Click to expand...



thanks for your help :D I bought 2 on a buy it now as i couldnt be bothered bidding lol :D
 
noodle_ said:
thanks for your help :D I bought 2 on a buy it now as i couldnt be bothered bidding lol :D
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used properly they are a good aid - I used mine every other day when I was schooling. Just try not to have them too tight or it does restrict bending left/right - the idea is to encourage the horse to carry itself not force it. And trust me if your horse wants to stick his head up in the air he still can - just takes a little more effort on his part with the bungee :D


let me know how you get on :D
 
IMHO in the correct hands, most "gadgets" are useful if used carefully, sensitively and in moderation. In the wrong hands, they can be catastrophic. Problem is, they're so readily available and marketed in such a way that suggests they can be quick fix which results in them being abused (not always wittingly I hasten to add). Evelyn mentioned Spanish Riding School - and that's exactly my point. Yeah, with that kind of knowledge, skill, sensitivity in the training I wouldn't have an issue. But at the local riding school where often the senior RI isn't especially qualified or experienced?? That's when I worry.
 
I personnally wouldnt use side reins whilst riding as they can be quite restricting - fine to use for lungeing.

I use draw reins (when riding occasionally), but, I use them in an unrestricting manner, therefore they only come into effect if they really need to, plus you can quickly release in emergencys. But, like with any training aid you need to be experienced enough to know how to use them, as in the wrong hands they can do more damage than good.

Another idea is to ride in a Bungee, this is elasticated and therefore doesnt restrict the horse so much and allows a bit of movement.

Hope that helps, but like others have said its personal choice.
 
Depends on the horse, and the situation!
I would never, ever, ever put a young horse in side reins when riding. Lunging, no problems. But if that horse, rears, stumbles etc they don't have the balance to correct themselves.

For a beginner learning to ride a schoolmaster or riding school pony/ horse, why not. I think its a super way for a rider to realise where a horses head should be, providing the horse doesn't have his nose strapped to his chest, and to feel with their hands, instead of yanking on mouths as we commonly see.

I wouldn't advise anyone to use draw reins unless they are a competent rider as you can do so much damage with them, so easily.

Side reins aren't a major drama, just don't use them as tightly as you would lunging, and use it as a way to learn to bring the horse round yourself, they'll get you a bit of the way there, you have to do it yourself. Just don't fix the horse, use it on a flightly, young or spooky horse.

Also, although gummi's are good, they're not brilliant, and I still see people either a) not using their hands because the gummis do the work or b) horses who know how to play the game and stick their noses up as high as possible.
 
I would never recommend using a training aid when ridden, especially one that cannot be immediately released by the rider. Having said that, the ONLY time I have done it was on a horse that I knew inside out not to react to them when I was teaching my 4 and 5 year olds kids to ride on a 15.3hh horse! I put the side reins on very loosely to prevent her from pulling them over her head if she put her head down. It worked a treat and both my tiny tots learnt to ride on that full sized horse.

I think it is a pointless exercise when there is a full sized competent rider on board as a horse should be able to work correctly without any training aids. There is nothing more effective than good hands and putting side reins on would be detrimental to your riding skills IMO.
 
Probably but I'd be a bit worried about the 'what ifs' principally getting caught up in them and dragged. One in a million chance I know but....
 
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