draw reins versus side reins

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skimobob

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Hi
I rode at the weekend and the horse I rode is always ridden in draw reins. I have ridden in side reins before but am never quite sure of the difference in their purpose, can anyone shed any light?
Thanks
 
Hi i used to ride my horse i draw reins and use side reins to lunge in. IMO side reins are more restricting so i would not ride in them whereas with draw reins you can give and take with them. I hardly needed a contact on them with my boy but just because he knew they were there he would work better, whereas if i rode without them it was a constant battle to stop him spooking and getting him to relax.
 
Draw reins are design really to provide a contact that the horse can work to when lunging. They can help a horse balance and work prroperly on the lunge. I personally wouldnt ride in them.
I hate draw reins. IMHO the only thing they achieve is an overbent horse thats on the forhand and can't balance itself.
 
Side reins should not be ridden in, they can't be relaxed if the horse rears etc....dangerous.

Draw reins you can ride in not that i like to, but you can drop them and pick them up when needed.
 
Emily91 said:
IMHO the only thing they achieve is an overbent horse thats on the forhand and can't balance itself.
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only in the wrong hands!!!:confused: Use them properly and they can be a brilliant teaching aid and once you have the horse working correctly then you dont need to use them. Draw reins over side reins ANYDAY, far less restrictive!:)
 
I don't use either riding except in exceptional circumstances, and side reins occasionally if I lunge (which I hardly ever do) because they don't encourage or achieve a true rounded outline.

But I noticed at many BS shows that many of the top riders doing 1.40m+ rode in the warm-up (not whilst jumping) in draw reins, with very little contact on their actual reins which I think is a little odd. Of course they know what they're doing, they're really good riders and the horses are well schooled, but I could never understand why.

Anyway, I think that all of you ^ have explained the difference well, so no need for me to! :)
 
I totally agree with you rowenna my boy is 16.2hh and cud be a very difficult ride, i rode him in draw reins with only a slight contact just to encourage him to relax under me most definantly not to pull his head into a false out line. With alot of time and patience i dont need them anymore, so they are a great aid in the right hands used correctly :)
 
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