Draw Reins

[burtie]

Draw reins can be very useful when used to maintain an outline, they should never be used to create one, this is a fundamental and important difference and it means when the horse is in the desired outline the reins are effectively loose. I rarely use them but have found them helpful if having a problem with the horse focusing perhaps when doing something new and exciting like walk to canter or counter canter. Think of them like a adjustable and refined running martingale and that is how I use them.

 

[burple]

i personally think in the right hands they could be effective wrong hands nasty but then the right hands should not actually need them in the first place !?

 

[Daisychain]

I think they can be usefull to help show the horse the way down, but i have never used them more than 1/2 dozen times, the message gets through then.

 

[KatB]

I have always been anti them. However, have recently had to admit they do have a use when encouraging a horse where he needs to be, so can be useful in the right hands to HELP correct an evasion or habit that has developed. However, I do not think they should be used to hold a horse in an outline which is how they are commonly used, and if used correctly can be used to support the correct and quiet aids of an established rider. They are definitely not a be all and end all, and should never be ridden with a constant contact on them, as I said they should be used as a support, not a teaching method as such.

 

[Tiffany]

Like all training aids they can have their place in expert hands just for very short periods just to show the horse what is required. I think it's better than getting into a battle

 

[Shilasdair]

[ QUOTE ]

You can also go further and argue that those riders do well.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh, I believe this rider is quite well known....

but I don't want to name names.
S

 

[zigzag]

I have used draw reins ... but don't use them much and NOT to pull into an outline ... I actually used some the other day.. riding a 17.1 MW who has suddenly decided that he doesn't want to wait at junctions on the road.. so he rears up vertical then leaps forward and kicks out behind now this is dangerous on the road

so I slapped a pair of draw reins on him to have a bit more control ... it worked.. tried it on a few times didn't get away with it, now he waits at junctions like he used to..
p.s had all the checks done to make sure it wasn't pain

 

[Tierra]

Its hard isnt it

You see people warming up with very deep rollkur or watch them at home hauled in with draw reins, but they do well in the arenas.

Theres no wonder then that amateur riders use them.

What are your thoughts regarding the book Shilasdair? I personally loved it but im possibly bias since im a fan of the whole classical / traditional approach. He did the commentary on a book by Anja Beran also about the classical schooling of horses from babies through to advanced. You might enjoy that also!

 

[Shilasdair]

[ QUOTE ]
What are your thoughts regarding the book Shilasdair? I personally loved it but im possibly bias since im a fan of the whole classical / traditional approach. He did the commentary on a book by Anja Beran also about the classical schooling of horses from babies through to advanced. You might enjoy that also!

[/ QUOTE ]

The book was a very worthwhile read...although at times I felt that a bit more editing and clarification as to which equine industry it was aimed at and referring to, would have helped.
I think it's a shame how many riders don't know anything about their horse's anatomy, and this book does try to address this - although Sara Wyche's books are much better, IMO.
I have to say I don't ride competitively though.
S

 

[MistletoeMegan]

[ QUOTE ]
What are your thoughts regarding the book Shilasdair? I personally loved it but im possibly bias since im a fan of the whole classical / traditional approach. He did the commentary on a book by Anja Beran also about the classical schooling of horses from babies through to advanced. You might enjoy that also!

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you not find Beran's book utterly nauseating to read when she has those questions to him at the side of the pages? It read like a mutual apprecation society and ruined the deliverance of some interesting thoughts.

 

[Tierra]

The questions Anja posed to Heushmann were very bias for sure, but I expected that as shes very outspoken on modern day training techniques.

I love her book though. I found the text very clear and i found it hmmm very clear? Ive read numerous classical texts and some of them almost make it come across as some deeply spiritual state that most of us will never reach - it makes classical training seem unobtainable - does that make sense?

Anja explains her aids and why she uses them and addresses some common problems. I also found the illustrations very good.

Again though, please remember, im bias as i really admire her.

 

[Bossanova]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
What are your thoughts regarding the book Shilasdair? I personally loved it but im possibly bias since im a fan of the whole classical / traditional approach. He did the commentary on a book by Anja Beran also about the classical schooling of horses from babies through to advanced. You might enjoy that also!

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you not find Beran's book utterly nauseating to read when she has those questions to him at the side of the pages? It read like a mutual apprecation society and ruined the deliverance of some interesting thoughts.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree, I found Anja's book really badly written and presented

 

[Bossanova]

I also dont think some of the photos illustrated her points very well. But it's hard to get good pics

 

[Tierra]

Really? I thought she was quite clear. Just goes to show doesnt it!

But yes, i certainly see the point about the question section

 

[MistletoeMegan]

[ QUOTE ]


I love her book though. I found the text very clear and i found it hmmm very clear? Ive read numerous classical texts and some of them almost make it come across as some deeply spiritual state that most of us will never reach - it makes classical training seem unobtainable - does that make sense?



[/ QUOTE ]

God yes, I can barely understand most classical texts due to the waffle, and I have had the misfortune to read some pretty dense texts in other subjects in my time

Managed to find a copy of the new edition of Herbermann's Dressage Formula on ebay for a couple of pounds, so will attempt that tonight.

 

[eventing_chick]

No pictures, however the improvement is massive.
This horse naver really accepted hand or leg but still managed to get to ADV level,at a cost.
After bying this horse we soon realised that the basics were not estabished and life became a battle.
Unhappy horse and unhappy rider.
The use of the draw rein has in no way created a false outline, through carefully well timed inclusion in cirtain situations in the school it has encouraged her to mantain the contact and therefore kept the momentum,after the situation is resoved the draw rein is no longer'in play'.
Although this horse has the draw reins 'attached' most of the time they only come 'into play' when a problem occurs.
This horse used to be so against the hand on the left rein at had an almost permant split mouth-Now shes more or less even and no split.
No gadget is ideal, this is the only one i use and its only on this one horse.
Horse is now working properly mentally and physically supurb

 

[BeckyD]

I was amazed how many riders put them on their horses for the prize-givings at the BSJA open yesterday. I noticed it last year too. Seems odd. I know people say bad things about show jumpers, but putting draw reins on just for a prize giving seems a bit OTT!? I wondered whether they were concerned their horses would go silly and that it was a way of anchoring them?

Just to add I know next to nothing about them. I used to ride a friend's horse in them as that's what she wanted me to do (she always rode in them), but otherwise I don't think I've ever used them.