draw reins... hmmm

draw reins, do you like/ use them. please post reasons below.

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I don't like them but did use them many years ago hacking out a horse that napped badly and when pushed would rear and I found with draw reins that I could keep his head down and drive him forwards past whatever he had decided was dangerous and that he wasn't going to go past. As he improved they spent more and more time rolled up under my leg until I didn't need them any more. However I wouldn't ever consider schooling a horse in them - nothing beats correct work. As I have got older I use less and less tack on my horses - they both go in plain straight bar happy mouth snaffles no fancy nosebands and no martingales either.
 
Like all gadgets/schooling aids right use in right hands no problem.

HOWEVER what should be banned is solo combs! Poor ponies with shocking manes!
 
But lots of teenages like them because they make their horses look pwetttyy!

If only people started horses properly in the first place, there would be hardly any need for draw reins, market harboroughs and all the other multitude of gadgets that are available nowadays. The other people that benefit are tack retailers.
 
Like all pieces of tack, they have a place when used correctly.

Unfortunately, many people do not use them correctly, and they will be used as a short cut to achieve an 'outline', which has all sorts of negative impacts.

But that lays with the hands of those that use them like this, not the equipment itself - and used in the right way they can be very useful.

I have a pair, and will happily use them in a specific situation. I very rarely have a need for them but they're there if I need them.
 
I hack one of my horses in draw reins (rarely have to pick them up now) he is very spooky and a pain in the bum. Draw reins were suggested just to help us both out a bit but like I said I barely pick them up now. They will prob come off soon as I think he has learnt that a different colour patch of grass will not kill him so he doesn't have to shove his ears up my nose and jump into on coming traffic!
 
They have a place and are a very useful training aid. Their problem is they are far too easy to use incorrectly, and you typically end up a horse who is over bent with a definate break at the withers, weak back and trailing hocks. That takes for ever to undo, but I see top professionals use them, correctly with great results and you don't see their horse with its head strapped between its legs. Would be the wrong tool with my youngster but have and would use again if it benefited the horse.
 
I use them once/twice a month on my pony just to encourage him and help him stretch into the contact more. I do not pin his head in to his neck, infact I normally tie them up around his neck and just ride off my reins. I personally feel I can use/ride with them, my hands sit very quietly and still and use my legs to push horse into the contact. Another girl at my yard uses them EVERYDAY and says she needs them. Her horse is flat, on the forehand with its head touching its neck. thats horrible to see.

eta - I make myself sound like a 13 year old on my pony. I am 20 but just have a pony :p
 
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That was suggested too hippona but he wears a micklem and I thought that would not be correct to use a standing with that?

He is not hacked out in them if we are on tracks it just I worry about him jumping into traffic not the actual spooking. He is so much better now though and in all the time they were used I only ever 'used tgem' properly a hand full of times in a sticky situation!
 
I have used them in the past, but tend not to now, as don't feel they do anything useful. I have seen people who are very good riders use them with great effect, and used them under tuition with said riders, however, I have seen them used badly by teenage girls far more often. You don't see showjumpers use them as much as you used to so maybe the trend will die out. (here's hoping!!)
 
Was told to use a pair many years ago (by employer), hated them and have never done so since. Mostly seen being used by people who can't get the horse to do anything, or pro's who don't take the time to get the horse going properly the old fashioned way. Useful as extra long dog leads.
 
I'll use them as a martingale. Mainly because if I want a martingale I'd have to go buy one, whereas I can make draw reins out of a lunge line. They're loose unless horse throws head up when they come into play to prevent head going any higher, just like any martingale. I don't see the harm in it. I'd never use them for encouraging an outline though, I agree with the people who say do it through correct training. I wouldn't use draw reins to teach a rider feel either. If they can't learn it on their own horse, due to both of them being inexperienced, then the rider needs a few lessons on a schoolmaster to learn it.
 
As with anything. They can be useful in the right hands. The problem is in the wrong hands. But then theres plenty I see doing enough damage walking a horse let alone sat on it with gadgets.

Same with dogs and check chains. Or any human with any animal tbh. I rarely touch gadgets and wouldn't use anything I wasn't aware of how to use appropriately. However when used correctly most gadgets have their place.
 
I would still be interested to know what the benefit is of using them. I know pros that use them and to this day, have never been given a straight answer.

I will repeat...I do believe there can be times that they can be used, but I don't believe they will offer any benefits in schooling that proper training will not do a better job of providing.

I am always open to learning though, so if anyone has solid reasons for their use in schooling, explanations would be great.

And just because a pro does something doesn't mean it is right. ;-)
 
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!
 
_GG_ said:
I would still be interested to know what the benefit is of using them. I know pros that use them and to this day, have never been given a straight answer.

I will repeat...I do believe there can be times that they can be used, but I don't believe they will offer any benefits in schooling that proper training will not do a better job of providing.

I am always open to learning though, so if anyone has solid reasons for their use in schooling, explanations would be great.

And just because a pro does something doesn't mean it is right. ;-)
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This is exactly what I struggle with. I have spent more than twenty years retraining ex racers, schooling and competing all kinds of horses of all ages and stages of education, and have yet to come across a situation where I could see a use for draw reins in schooling. The only time where I could see a use for them is to have them tied and ready to pick up on a horse that can be difficult or dangerous to hack. But I have not personally used them for this. I have been trained in the use of draw reins, many years ago, but never found any use for them personally since then.
 
I feel they have a place....VERY occasionally....if used correctly.

Like any other aid they are a guide not a force, they should never be tight they should just be a guide for the horse to transfer the energy from its quarters through its back and round.

I would never use the regularly, I would rather school my horses correctly, but I will use them once in a while if I feel they would be beneficial.

ETA - for people wanting a genuine reason why they are beneficial over schooling - I schooled a quirky horse who had hit a complete "mental" block about working round following a sacriliac problem - he thought it hurt. I schooled him once in very loose draw reins just to guide him down and stop him throwing his head up to the point of ridiculous. Allowed my to just focus on forward and not have to deal with his ears in my face - allowing him to refind his own balance. Never put them on him again - he realised it was fine and has been fab since.
 
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Can't quote as I'm on my phone but ex racer rider when lunging in draw reins they're not used in the traditional way.

They are very slack and places behind the withers through front legs then connected to bit. No force what so eve. It just gently encourages the horse yo work long and low.

Will post pic when I'm off phone or if you google lunging in draw reins or kerilli lunging you'll see lots of pics.
 
Some of you ask what are the uses of draw reins? That question could be asked about every training aid!

The draw reins as most aids, help guide the horse into a proper outline. Please note the use of the word guide, not force. They should be used loosely so that only when the horses head goes beyond a certain point do they come into action placing pressure on the bit. Depending on the development of the horse, it may be that it only comes into play when the horse is star gazing, whereas with a more mature horse it may come into play much sooner because maybe consistency in the outline is what is being work on.

It is many years since I have used draw reins as you can achieve exactly the same results through schooling. As a matter of fact, that goes for all "gadgets". The only aid I ever use is a Pessoa, and that is solely to help horses develop the correct muscles when they may not have the muscle strength to do this with a rider weight on top.

What I don't understand is why so many show jumpers use them. Many of them use them correctly, but do they simply use them for laziness reasons?
 
dianchi said:
Like all gadgets/schooling aids right use in right hands no problem.

HOWEVER what should be banned is solo combs! Poor ponies with shocking manes!
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You mean like this mane?
553307_3256639134394_1297649791_n.jpg


;)

Everything has its place if used properly...
 
WishUponAStar said:
I feel they have a place....VERY occasionally....if used correctly.

Like any other aid they are a guide not a force, they should never be tight they should just be a guide for the horse to transfer the energy from its quarters through its back and round.

I would never use the regularly, I would rather school my horses correctly, but I will use them once in a while if I feel they would be beneficial.

ETA - for people wanting a genuine reason why they are beneficial over schooling - I schooled a quirky horse who had hit a complete "mental" block about working round following a sacriliac problem - he thought it hurt. I schooled him once in very loose draw reins just to guide him down and stop him throwing his head up to the point of ridiculous. Allowed my to just focus on forward and not have to deal with his ears in my face - allowing him to refind his own balance. Never put them on him again - he realised it was fine and has been fab since.
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Good use of them...for necessary rehabilitation, not as a schooling aid :-)

grumblebee said:
Some of you ask what are the uses of draw reins? That question could be asked about every training aid!

The draw reins as most aids, help guide the horse into a proper outline. Please note the use of the word guide, not force. They should be used loosely so that only when the horses head goes beyond a certain point do they come into action placing pressure on the bit. Depending on the development of the horse, it may be that it only comes into play when the horse is star gazing, whereas with a more mature horse it may come into play much sooner because maybe consistency in the outline is what is being work on.

It is many years since I have used draw reins as you can achieve exactly the same results through schooling. As a matter of fact, that goes for all "gadgets". The only aid I ever use is a Pessoa, and that is solely to help horses develop the correct muscles when they may not have the muscle strength to do this with a rider weight on top.

What I don't understand is why so many show jumpers use them. Many of them use them correctly, but do they simply use them for laziness reasons?
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Yep, I understand all of that and agree with it...you say yourself, no need for them as the use you describe can be achieved without them.

The point I am attempting to make is that, in a schooling environment, I don't know of any way that they can be of benefit where proper riding can't be.

Every example I hear of their benefits...are issues that could be resolved through effective riding...draw reins just get there more quickly. My problem is that I would rather take the time to do it right than rely on something to do my job for me.

My main reason for being so against them is to discourage inexperienced hands from using them.
 
I get what you are saying people, and again, read what I said, I am not advocating training in them long term, I wouldn't go near any horses I have here now with them. Everyone learns in different ways, and again, riding for that short a time over my whole time with G Man was hardly damaging, did you read "a short time in two lessons and a couple of times at home" As I say, worked for me at the time, so I see it as a success.

BUT, a lot of things that have been said over the last little while, and some real life events, are now causing me to question the trainer I am using, so Ben and I will be having some lessons with other trainers over the next couple of months while I audition for a new one.
 
I use draw reins to encourage horses to work long and low. I clip them onto the bit ring through the front legs over back, back through bit rings to the other side. I feel that is the only way they should be used. I only use them for lunging as well
 
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