Draw Reins... Useful bit of kit, or just a quick fix?

[Lippyx]

Right, now I don't normally like gadgets TBH, but I'm not sure what else to do? My mare is doing well at the moment, and is certainly getting fitter by the week. But with this comes strength and sometimes fight!
I notice now that when we are schooling, she comes round really well in walk, and I can get her quite relaxed, but the moment I pick upi the pace, her racing head comes back, and all we get is this semi trot and semi canter pace! She just won't stay in a relaxed consistant trot. I push her on to go into canter, and she settles well (although her head carriage is not perfect, it is better than it is in trot!)
Her owner said to try draw reins, that way you can help keep her steady, without having her head in your face, and that after a few schooling sessions, she gets better and you can remove them. So almost like a reminder rather than a permenant fixture.
So I wanted to know what you guys thought, and if you had any handy tips. We are still at the early stages of schooling, so I'm not expect Grand Prix Dressage, but I just need help with her head carriage and consistancy!!

Cheers!

 

[algy666]

I used them on my gelding for a few weeks then took them off, I felt they helped because he's usually got slightly giraffe-like head carriage and pulls like a train!

 

[toomanyhorses26]

Not a huge fan for schooling in them but have had a bad exp with being made to ride my then v weak and gangly ex racer in them and he just couldnt handle it/wasn't strong enough for them and pulled all the muscles in his back . Thankfully no lasting damage done and he is progressing well in is schooling now - I have done alot of work on the lunge with him in a pessoa which has transformed him into a muscly ,happy and more consistent horse which has helped his ridden schooling no end. The only time I use draw reins now is when we attempted solo hacking as apparently its just too scary for a horse to go it alone. He will stand up and spin when asked to leave the yard and the draw reins give me a little bit more control and we get through the arguement quicker. Personally wouldn't ever discount them but would be careful about the type and shape of horse they are used on.

 

[Erehwemos]

I would recommend a bungee over draw reins, certainly to begin with

My mare was always very resistant to draw reins, but in the bungee she had that element of freedom if she could be bothered to stretch above the tension of the elastic - and most of the time, she just gave in and worked nicely.

I would, however, say that neither the bungee or the draw reins will give you the true outline you are looking for. Both will help to bring the horse's head down and in, and both will improve balance - but neither will be effective in getting the horse to really work through it's hind end. In the early years with Ellie, I used a bungee almost every time I schooled her, and was happy with the way I had her working. But when we gave up jumping a couple of years ago and tried some dressage, I found I had to almost totally reschool her. Her natural way of going, combined with years of using these 'training aids' had meant that her outline was all wrong for dressage - she was far too much on the forehand, and never had her back legs underneath her.

I'm still working on it now! But the bungee and draw reins are both banned

 

[Louby]

I used them on a horse that used to go up and then spin, it was out of desperation and the only way I'd hack her out. In the right hands they can be useful but your horse has got to go forward otherwise you end up with it mincing along with its neck bent falsley and its head near its knees. A lady on our yard used them constantly and her horse walked really fast but went no where, mincing along in a funny gait. He looked lame.

 

[Natalie_H]

Mine was the same when I got him. However, both my instructor and I resisted use of any gadgets. It all came together when I learnt to use my seat properly, and using half halts before asking for the upwards transition. It didn't happen overnight, but it did happen. Half halt, and squeeze with your bottom - pushes mine forwards into the trot rather than upwards!

 

[Vizslak]

dont use them imo. tbs seem to do this, they geniunly find trot a hard pace to be consistent and round in- it is not how a racer is used to going at all! i just tediously repeat repeat repeat until they get it, head goes up...back to walk.....ask for soft and round.....as soon as round ask for trot....head comes up.....back to walk and start again! im sure she will get it in the end, she prob just doesnt want to try because its hard, but she has to start somewhere and now shes a bit stronger its a good time to start. I dont think forcing an outline with draw reins in horse like this will help, her muscles have got to completely change in order for her to be able to consistently able to go 'properly'. Time and patience is my best advice, and remember as the muscles change she will go through different phases of 'ouch thats tricky' each day will be different as to how much she can do, which rein she is strongest on and how much of a fight she puts up! good luck, look forward to your next update.

 

[Lippyx]

Louby, that is exactly what she does - this silly mincey trot, that is more up than forwards!
Trust me, I hate gadgets, I don't even like martingales! When she first came back into work, her trot was ok, high head carriage, but it was forward. Now though its this silly mincey trot, that suddenly turns into a trot/canter and yes, she ends up looking like shes hopping!! Its very tough to stay in a rising trot!
I think like you say Temsik, I need to persevere and grin and bear the crappy bits that arise! I bet next week, I'll be asking for help in canter work!!
I will try what you suggest and get her round in walk, ask for trot, and as soon as she gets silly, ask for walk again, settle her and try again!

I didn't let her finish tonight until she done a least one 20m circle in a forward trot, regardless of where her head was!!!

 

[Natch]

Draw reins, when used properly certainly have their place.bI would use them with an instructor present at first if in any doubt.

 

[saddlesore]

My tb was very inconsistent in his headcarriage also when i got him but i found that he resisted drawreins. conversely the elastic inserts in the reins(cant remember what they are called lol) made the world of difference and he softened almost instantly. Worth a try!

 

[Mosh]

I have an ex racer and he used to be like a giraffe on speed!
The thing that worked for him was lots and lots of lunging with 2 reins.
And as someone said, consistant work and aids from me, I had to ask for the trot with exactly the same aid everytime.
And one day something clicked and hes nw a lot lower in his head carriage and more relaxed but we do have racehorse moments at times, especially on his weaker rein and i'm not sure he'll ever get out of that!

 

[flowerlady]

In the wrong hands like any gadget can do more harm than good. But that is only my opinion as I don't like gadgets.

 

[Festive_Felicitations]

I don't like gadgets and am a strong advocate of a plain snaffle for everything, BUT (there always is one)..

Draw reins if used carefully can help, even if just to save you alot of arm ache.
Ride with draw reins and normal reins and just use the draw reins to gently encourge a lower head carriage, the minute she drops her head ease off and just ride on the normal rein.
Basically use them to explain what you want, not to force her into a good position or else you will just end up with a sore/ grumpy girraffe.

Good luck!

 

[Lippyx]

Yes, Dona_Nana, thats how I was going to use them, just to show her what I want, and then once she gives it to me, I will "drop" the draw reins, and stick with the normal reins.

I think I am going to perservere with lots of transitions and see how we go first.

 

[mygeorge]

i dont like anything that works by pressure or force. We use the equiami system now, both lungeing and riding aids and it has got our giraffe working in a lovely low soft outline. they work by suggestion and reward and do not use pressure so horses respond really well. We dont use anything else now, not even a martingale for jumping

 

[newboult51]

You could try a Market Harborough. They are a bit less severe than draw reins cos they have the elastic sides and they don't involve the direct contact with the reins as it works more like a martingale only attached to the bit.

 

[hellspells]

I think that draw reins in the right hands are fine, but if you are unsure or don't have someone on the ground to help I wouldn't. I equally dislike Market Harbourgh as there is no in between with them - you either have them on or not.

I like the bungee like MizElz suggested, very useful as they do not force the horse into a false outline. The most important thing is no horse can produce a true, relaxed frame without pushing through from behind.

Good luck with her x

 

[emma69]

Draw reins have their place, but the rider has to have sensitive hands otherwise they can do more harm than good. Used properly, there is no reason they should be any more severe than bungee type devices with elastic, the riders fingers should have the give and take.

If you do use them, and I used them on an ex-racer with very similar issues, you have to start off with really small units of time as they just don't have the right muscles. You need to ride them correctly from the leg, really engaging the back end before you think about bringing the head down (easier said than done I know, as I used to end up the opposite side of the school sometimes with him when I asked for engagement) otherwise you are just forcing the head down, which can cause problems, and work the wrong muscles.

Another thing that worked very will with this chap was using my seat and weight, and slowing my rising right down would help his pace, you've got to be pretty balanced so you don't come down with a thud, but it can really help. Also (and don't ship me off to the funny farm yet) singing out loud can help with rhythm. I used to go US army style "we are tough and we are strong" etc, but little ditties like that out loud help the horse and rider keep a consistent rhythm.

 

[gekko]

Usefull tool in the right hands, dangerous implement of torture in wrong ones...

In most cases I'd say a lot of gadgets should only be used by those who don't need to use them!

 

[emma69]

Can I add about 90% of the bits out there to that list as well

 

[rara007]

What bit can't be an implement of torture in the wrong hands

Sorry OP

. Draw reins, as most gadgets can have there uses. If you think you might want to use them an instuctor would be best bet really....