draw reins... hmmm

[Megibo]

I had to bite my tongue quite hard when reading on a 'juniors' group on facebook (so 10-18 year olds) some young members mentioned they ride their ponies in draw reins so that they go in an outline. And that they haven't been shown by their instructors, they don't need lessons, but that I shouldn't worry because, to quote one of them, "i no how 2 use them!"

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

They are a useful tool IMO and experience.

I DONT use them for schooling on the flat or jumping regularly or to force a horse into an outline.

I use them as and when needed.

 

[Kokopelli]

Really?!? But then you cant alter them, at least when you ride in them you can vary the strength/shortness you use them at but when lunging they are just a constant strong hold that doesn't have any 'give'

Back on laptop so here is a pic of Louie in them lunging, not a brilliant pic as he isn't working well enough from behind but that's mainly just while I took picture.

But as you can see very long so no way his head is being forced into that position.

 

[Big Ben]

Back on laptop so here is a pic of Louie in them lunging, not a brilliant pic as he isn't working well enough from behind but that's mainly just while I took picture.

.

Ahh, now when set up like that I know it as a bowling rein, or a bowling line, that I have used in the past.

 

[flump]

Back on laptop so here is a pic of Louie in them lunging, not a brilliant pic as he isn't working well enough from behind but that's mainly just while I took picture.

But as you can see very long so no way his head is being forced into that position.

Is the kerelli method?

Sorry heard bits about it but not the actual thread! So just between legs and over back?

 

[Dumbo]

I've been told i have to use draw reins on my tb.. by a 17yo girl who thinks she knows everything.

My horse is an unsuccessful ex racer who in the 9 years since retiring has just plodded around a muddy paddock. He's a happy hacker for me but apparently he isn't working correctly and so this girl has said she'll trot him all the way up a hill in draw reins every day to improve his topline.
No way am I letting that happen.

 

[ex racer rider]

Back on laptop so here is a pic of Louie in them lunging, not a brilliant pic as he isn't working well enough from behind but that's mainly just while I took picture.

But as you can see very long so no way his head is being forced into that position.

Ah right, i see now. However (not a dig at you as they seem loose) when used like that my worry would be what if they shoot their heads up they are going to jam the lines into their leg/armpit and the line is going to tighten over a delicate part of their backs and cause pain.
Yours are quite loose ao i don't think this could happen in your case but if they were a little tighter then that wouldn't be comfortable!!

 

[Spotsrock]

Used correctly to guide and support I have no problem with them.

 

[Goldenstar]

Back on laptop so here is a pic of Louie in them lunging, not a brilliant pic as he isn't working well enough from behind but that's mainly just while I took picture.

But as you can see very long so no way his head is being forced into that position.

That's what we call a lunging rope it's not actually being used as a draw rien in thatn position.

 

[immoralorchid]

eeek probably going to be shot down but i have found a use for them which i personally never thought was possible

my grey who i hunt once a week started throwing her head up and pissing off everytime i wanted to canter out hacking as she is very excitable. putting the draw reins on once or twice seemed to remind her of her manners and stopped it straight away and now no need of them. so i think occasionally used as a safe method to remind manners no problem never winched her in just had a constant light elastic contact.

 

[Mrs Bradfield]

Double posted

 

[Mrs Bradfield]

Hi All

I don't really see a problem with draw reins in the RIGHT hands!! They were never designed to pull the horses head down, instead they are meant to be used so that they are slack if the horse is in the right shape but come into action if the horse goes out of the desired outline!

Unfortunately too many people don't know how to use them. For that matter, far too many people don't understand the simplest basics of getting a horse in an outline (draw reins or not!).

I think the problem aren't the draw reins but the people who use them!

My six pence!

Happy New year everyone!

I totally agree with this tbh

 

[eventer131]

I won't blast you...but I would like to know what benefit the draw reins give that can't be achieved without them. That is a genuine question.

Im also interested, not in a bitchy way, just genuinely interested

well, it depends what kind of horse you have i have a horse that i would never need to put draw reins on as he goes sweetly the hwole time, also maintains a steady contact, and is very accepting of the bit. but then again i have another horse that is definitely a candidate for draw reins, he is very stubborn and stiff at the beginning of a session and working him in draw reins helps him to loosen up using the correct muscles (as long as you don't have them too tight, and also they dont work against them.) they can also help with control and also with maintaing a contact whilst learning lateral moves so they get the right idea from the beginning but this totally depends on the attitude of your horse. another useful use of draw reins is if you wont to work on your positon and rather being restricted to being on a circle on the lunge, it helps you maintain the contact whilst being able to concentrate more on say your toes staying in or heels down or elbows in etc. this are just some of the benefits i have found.

 

[eventer131]

well, it depends what kind of horse you have i have a horse that i would never need to put draw reins on as he goes sweetly the hwole time, also maintains a steady contact, and is very accepting of the bit. but then again i have another horse that is definitely a candidate for draw reins, he is very stubborn and stiff at the beginning of a session and working him in draw reins helps him to loosen up using the correct muscles (as long as you don't have them too tight, and also they dont work against them.) they can also help with control and also with maintaing a contact whilst learning lateral moves so they get the right idea from the beginning but this totally depends on the attitude of your horse. another useful use of draw reins is if you wont to work on your positon and rather being restricted to being on a circle on the lunge, it helps you maintain the contact whilst being able to concentrate more on say your toes staying in or heels down or elbows in etc. this are just some of the benefits i have found.

i forgot to say in both posts how i would expect them to be used, slack and not restricting them, they should only be in effect if the horse comes against you!

 

[glamourpuss]

I always think its hilarious that some HHO members are so against the use of draw reins. Yet will happily truss their horses up in those god damn awful Pessoa systems (I've yet to see any set up of those that doesn't constantly sock the poor horse in the gob) or even side reins - I think they can encourage the horse to duck behind the contact, if used incorrectly.
In fact that is what the difference is here using a training aid correctly.
I use draw reins on one of mine. Sometimes he gets a bit 'rude' about transitions. There's no physical reason for it, he's just a whizzy, impatient type.
A short schooling session using draw reins correctly gets us both back on track without any frustration on either side.
Could I correct the problem without the draw reins? Yes most definitely. But it would take longer & be more frustrating. I know I'm using the draw reins correctly so [shrug] what's the problem?

 

[_GG_]

i forgot to say in both posts how i would expect them to be used, slack and not restricting them, they should only be in effect if the horse comes against you!

Thank you. I am only against them because most, in fact the vast majority of users misuse them. As I said, I do believe they have a place.

I just was hoping someone could explain their reasons well enough, so thank you.

I am lucky, I have the time to work through stuff without them, not everyone does.