Draw Reins ....and how to get rid of the effects of them?

Kenzo

Kenzo

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I need your advice as this is something I have never come across before till now and no doubt many of you will have done.

How you undo the work of draw reins?

Basically the horse that I've just started riding at the mo goes like it has been born in a pair, came over from Germany and no doubt they were used either too much or incorrectly, he goes like your trying to do that hypo flexion which is not how I want him to carry himself!

Anyway that's in the past and this is now, so if anyone has successfully schooled this ...well what I can only call god awful crumple zones out of a horse, then I'd really like to hear how you did this, any specific schooling exercises and if how you ride ride it out of them so to speak, on a horse that is hard work to get him going into your hand, he's very laid back and well suppose a bit lazy but that can be sorted, he even stands with that fixed pose once you get on without even taking up a contact, and even with a light contact and longer reins he does it when pushing him on, its as if you need to prop him up but at the same time he's not heavy in your hand or pulling in because he's pulling to go forward (which is why some horses avoid and stick there noses in their chests) ....sorry I'm waffling but hopefully some of you will understand what I mean.

Thanks
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totally understand..

lots of hill work on a long rein, in walk trot and canter. (i dont meen canter on a road)

but exercises where the horse needs to stretch its neck out,

schooling, try not to, but ride on a longish rein. if needed put poles down etc so the horse needs to look down,

the main think is to break the habit. the horse has to relise its not tied down and it can use its neck .. hence the hill work.

i had a mare like yr lad, moment she felt pressure on the bit the head went. near enough so her nose was under her chest.

if poosible id be tempted to try a hackmore type bridle, so you could see if the horse reacted the same.. even a sit on in a headcollar. more so you can pin point at which point the horse feels the need to react, ie is it the association of the bit.. or more the rider.
 
Thank you for your help, sorry not very good at explaining things in the correct jargon but yes sounds like you know what I'm getting at.

Right hill work may be a problem as we live in a very very flat area but yes I agree this would help.

Yes I'd like to break the habit like you say, they said I can compete him if I want and I get the impression they are keen on me to do this but which is really nice of them and I'm looking forward to doing so but there is no way I can do this sucessfully while he's going like he does, jumping for example, we need to work on this anyway without the added problem of this, as it just creates more problems than say...of horse that is just learning to jump for example and as for dressage....well I cringe because people may think its my riding and tha tI'm trying to make him go like that, which god for bid s not the case.

I've only just started riding him, last night in the school and last Sunday, so just getting to grips with what I'm working with so I shall concentrate on what you have suggested and hopefully in time this will help.

Thank you
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Sorry can't really help as have never dealt, but I would suggest regular physio for him and I'm sure they'll show you some stretches and suggest schooling techniques for unlocking his 'crumple zones'.

Just a thought.

F
 
work on a long rein as much as possible, letting him re-learn how to balance himself using his head and neck. softening the hands the moment he starts curling up or fixing himself in position, so he has nothing to fix against.
i'd jump him, even if he's a 'dressage horse' - the fences can be small, this should make him use his neck and brain and loosen up a bit.
they are vile things when over-used, good luck with your retraining.
 
Thank you and much appreciated, we'll see how it goes then, like I say I've only just started riding him but want to start as I mean to go on, otherwise its not fixing the problem.

He's never done dressage before, that will also be a first outing, but yes perhaps you have a good point, maybe the jumping (keeping it small and simple) might actually help.

Thank you
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We think that is what happened with my mare, she does what I think you're description is trying to say lol.
When I start schooling I start on a really long rein, and keep my reins fairly long in walk trot and canter, so that she really loosens up, and then I start to get a contact. It works with her
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Nickie
 
Good luck! I've only had to deal with this once and it was a horrible feeling. I had no idea what to do but my instructor got us doing big lateral flexions and a leg yield feel to lengthen each side of the neck and then hundreds upon hundreds of transitions, mostly within the pace, using the seat to make the downward transition while keeping a soft contact - she didn't let me fling the rein at him (as I was tempted to do) - and riding forward positively but gently so as not to freak him out. He was a very insecure boy. Can't think why.
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Hope this is of some help.
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Funnily enough my friend's horse used to go like this even though he'd never laid eyes on a set of draw reins...
 
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He's never done dressage before, that will also be a first outing, but yes perhaps you have a good point, maybe the jumping (keeping it small and simple) might actually help.


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Interestingly enough I remember reading something from carl hester about how he likes to jump his horses once a week (or something like that) as its benificial for body and minds. Can't imagine it being anything of size, just small gymnastic type stuff
 
I suppose its wrong to suggest yet another gadget but was thinking maybe a chambon may help to coax him into a long and low outline????
Ive seen the effects of a tightish market harborough, suppose works on a similar line to draw reins and the poor horse walked or should I say shuffled along with his head on his chest. Owner couldnt understand why he minced along with quick short steps.
 
I have the same problem my 4.5 year old baby was backed then ridden in draw reins to give him the correct!!!!!! frame (bloody Dutch trainer!) Ride him with his head bent to his chest holding him up and he looks fantastic......give him some rein and he as no self balance at all...Unfortunatley a lot of horses here are started in this way to achieve "the" frame .

We have taken him totally back to basics, lots of free work in all paces, double lunging, he is slowly but surely gaining natural balance. He is ridden on as long rein as possible with lots of transition work...... We have taken a vary natural approach no gadgets at all, I am using a leather bit (nothing to lean against) and slowly slowy he is starting to understand that he can balance himself.

Unfortunately on the continent they like to hot house them.
 
I'm another one who has this problem with their horse, my German WB was ridden hard in draw reins when he was in Poland as an SJ'er, when I first got on him and rode him in the school I took up the slightest contact and he was literally trotting on the spot, he had very short tight paces (not what you expect in a 16.2 WB) and rode like a pony.

I've been concentrating on getting him going forward and 'taking me' rather than me having to badger him. Have ridden him on a loose rein and done an exercise where I collect his trot up the short sides of the school and then really push him on down the long sides of the school so in the end he is swinging through his back.

I've also used the Libby's Lungie Bungie which has more give in it than the Pessoa (and is easier to fit! LOL!) which he seems to respond well too!

Oh and carrot stretches too, lots of down between the front legs so as to help him stretch over his back and both sides, and McTimoney Chiro to sort out any damage done!

Good luck!
 
There was a dealer we sometimes got horses from whose staff used draw reins constantly and far too tightly to make the horse look 'good'. We used to take them to the gallops, and literally canter and gallop them on the buckle. They would 'use' their necks, and realise they weren't strapped down anymore, and then we used to walk back to the yard, again on the buckle, and they would start to work long and low after a couple of sessions, and we didn't go in the school until they had 'freed up' out on hacks.
 
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