"Happy Hackers", would you pass judgement on a horse hacking in draw reins?

I'm not a fan of them either. However, each to their own and I wouldn't pass comment on someone using them.
There does however, on some of the replies to the OP, seem to be an implication that pulling the horses head in with draw reins means the horse is on the bit.....it doesn't. Unless it is working properly from behind it is a false outline. This is basically why I have a bit of an issue with them, they are no substitute for proper schooling. :o
 
I'd have judged you to be rather more sensible than those whose horses are flinging themselves about the place...

Al occasionally has been known to subject her horse to such cruelty... The shock of suddenly not being allowed to throw himslef into orbit because the donkey looked at him funny means he can contain his expression for a few more weeks!
 
Safety first, always. I have used draw reins out hacking when we have not been able to hack out for a while. Makes my life easier and stops my horse seeing dragons every 5 seconds. No I wouldn't comment, more often have a general scan on how the horse looks overall as I am nosey!. In terms of using them regularly - up to the individual. I have had horses who it would have been completely wrong to use DR on and others when they have been a godsend. I no longer need mine in the school for mine as they have gone past needing the help DR gave but they are still in my arsenal for hacking if need be - for the gelding only though, not my mare - shes too much of a lady!!
 
In an ideal world then no, there would never need to be the use of draw reins or any other gadgets as we would all be flawless riders and our horses perfectly trained. But that is not reality. So if riding out in draw reins means it keeps you and your horse safe, then surely this is the most sensible option?
 
It is fairly obvious how they work.... horse pulls .....shockhorror..... they are pulling against themself (not your hand and pulling you out the saddle) as its attached to the girth .... When used correctly they can be useful if used wrongly can seriously damage a horse !

Thats why its known as 'the razor in the monkeys paw'. Does nothing but 'draws' (there's the clue) the head down and pull the nose to the rear.
 
Have been a joyous hacker for years now, and a professional horseman for 30 plus years previously. If I thought I needed draw/running reins or any other subsidiary rein, and NEVER in side-reins, I would not be hacking for pleasure. However I tend to ignore all I see now and carry on my own sweet way. Yes I do wear hi- viz for those concerned.
 
I hate seeing horses covered in gadgets, straps, flashes etc etc
If i had to tie my horse up in all sorts of things to make it rideable, i would be wondering where i went wrong.
I understand all horses arent perfect but the horses i have bought "ready made" have been stripped back to the bare necessaties and have never needed all that "cr*p" as i call it and i dont own steady eddy's, but my horses feel relaxed when i ride out and thats the way i like it.

As to the OP's original question...I wouldnt comment to you if i saw you, what you do with your horse is up to you, but i would be glad that i didnt need to do it.
 
It is fairly obvious how they work.... horse pulls .....shockhorror..... they are pulling against themself (not your hand and pulling you out the saddle) as its attached to the girth .... When used correctly they can be useful if used wrongly can seriously damage a horse !

Ditto, once used correctly, they are fine, I have seen them used so horrificly at times, it would make you want to cry. Some people have a little knowlegde, and thats so dangerous. One particular local yard is just disgraceful, and lots of respectable people send their horses there to be schooled, not seeing what goes on, miss-use of draw reins are the tip of the ice berg!!
As for hacking in them, it's totally fine, once you know what you are doing!!!!
 
from the way you described no, I have had to hack out in elasticated side reins (loose) when F has been in one of his moods. Purely to stop him running off with the bit and once he is listening I unclip them. It annoys me when people who don't know the full story say snide comments to me about them without knowing the full story
 
Draw reins have no place in the correct training of a horse.

well, that is your opinion blazingsaddles. IMO draw reigns if used by a competent rider in the correct way can serve a useful purpose and i have used them in the past for one or two horses which have really needed them (both advanced event horses) out hacking. I found it far kinder than using harsher bits!
 
Safety first, always. I have used draw reins out hacking when we have not been able to hack out for a while. Makes my life easier and stops my horse seeing dragons every 5 seconds. No I wouldn't comment, more often have a general scan on how the horse looks overall as I am nosey!. In terms of using them regularly - up to the individual. I have had horses who it would have been completely wrong to use DR on and others when they have been a godsend. I no longer need mine in the school for mine as they have gone past needing the help DR gave but they are still in my arsenal for hacking if need be - for the gelding only though, not my mare - shes too much of a lady!!

This, totally. Not everyone hacks out for fun, I certainly don't. I hate hacking but do it to give my horse some variety in her work and so she gets to see more, so when competing she isn't totally shell shocked by different sights and sounds.
She can be very sharp. I would much rather hack her in loose draw reins and have them there just in case than not have them and have to deal with the consequences.
 
the draw rein debate will go on forever, but what gets me is people are quick enough to put pelhams and gags/curbs/doubles, all poll pressure and pretty much give the same result or do the same thing in the wrong hands, but are probably used more often, and are more acceptable than draw reins, 'funny old world aint it'

i would rather see someone hacking out in draw reins quietly and nicely than see the rider and horse having a battle and a awful hack!!!!
 
Why do they pull the nose to the rear if used correctly?? Please enlighten me

If I have to explain then you really shouldn't be using them. Correct or incorrect way of using them, the result is the same. Head down, nose pulled back. If you don't end up with that result, then chuck them in the bin.
 
well, that is your opinion blazingsaddles. IMO draw reigns if used by a competent rider in the correct way can serve a useful purpose and i have used them in the past for one or two horses which have really needed them (both advanced event horses) out hacking. I found it far kinder than using harsher bits!

It is my opinion. And I would say to the rider that felt the need to resort to stronger bits and/or draw reins to feel safe on their horse out hacking then you've messed up somewhere.
 
It is my opinion. And I would say to the rider that felt the need to resort to stronger bits and/or draw reins to feel safe on their horse out hacking then you've messed up somewhere.

Really? Have you ever ridden out alone on a supremely fit, sharp event horse? If you have a decent independent seat and soft hands and are a competent rider, I see no problem with using a pair of draw reins which come into play only if/when required.
 
Draw reins have no place in the correct training of a horse.

Hell ,you must have dealt with all the easy horses.In a perfect world yes there would be no need ,but unfortunately by the time most horses enter the private owner circulation. They have been fu+ked about by so many people who should have known better.Often it is a question of the lesser of evils. "correct training of the horse" starts from birth ,but if one has maybe 4 years of remedial work to do then I say "draw reins have a place in remedial training of horses"They need to be used wisely ,but wise people know there are no rules only guidlines.
 
If I have to explain then you really shouldn't be using them. Correct or incorrect way of using them, the result is the same. Head down, nose pulled back. If you don't end up with that result, then chuck them in the bin.

Why don't you explain though, so others can learn from your great knowledge?
 
If I have to explain then you really shouldn't be using them. Correct or incorrect way of using them, the result is the same. Head down, nose pulled back. If you don't end up with that result, then chuck them in the bin.

It is possible to ride in draw reins with the horses nose on or infront of the vertical for a start ! I am intrigued as to why you are so against them ? are you suggesting that any horse that goes in anything but a snaffle has not been trained properly I am confused as to your attitude towards this ?

It is my opinion. And I would say to the rider that felt the need to resort to stronger bits and/or draw reins to feel safe on their horse out hacking then you've messed up somewhere.

are you suggesting that any horse that goes in anything but a snaffle has not been trained properly I am confused as to your attitude towards this ?

It doesnt matter how safe you do or do not feel .... unfortunately it is unlikely that you are going to see nobody when out hacking and so surely for the horses safety and the general public its safer And I am sure alot of people will feel highly insulted that you used the term "messed up somewhere" super fit competition horses arent all going to plod around especially the weather affecting so many peoples ability to work their horses properly!

Maybe you havent seen them used correctly I am not sure ?
 
It is possible to ride in draw reins with the horses nose on or infront of the vertical for a start ! I am intrigued as to why you are so against them ? are you suggesting that any horse that goes in anything but a snaffle has not been trained properly I am confused as to your attitude towards this ?

If the draw reins are not in action, then of course the horses head will be level, the moment the draw reins are used you will get the effect as described above. That is how they work.

are you suggesting that any horse that goes in anything but a snaffle has not been trained properly I am confused as to your attitude towards this ?

Not at all.

It doesnt matter how safe you do or do not feel .... unfortunately it is unlikely that you are going to see nobody when out hacking and so surely for the horses safety and the general public its safer And I am sure alot of people will feel highly insulted that you used the term "messed up somewhere" super fit competition horses arent all going to plod around especially the weather affecting so many peoples ability to work their horses properly!

I have ridden 'super fit' eventers and some youngsters straight over from Ireland, never felt the need to use draw reins.
 
Well, in my opinion there is nothing wrong with them if indeed you were using them in the way they are described, plus if they are needed for safety then by all means use them. I have had passing comments about having a daisy rein on my horse before out hacking as it doesn't allow him to stretch.. but what they don't know is that its so i'm not planted on the ground when he bombs off with his back legs 6ft in the air and his head between his legs! plus its unclipped on the way home for a stratch! What people don't stop to think about is the fact that they know nothing about the situation!
Plus many people are under the impression that draw reins are purely to force your horses head in an outline.. and although this is true for many poor horses when used correctly this isn't what they do at all!
So to put it simply, no there is nothing wrong with that, if you and your horse are happy, comfortable and safe hacking in draw reins then that is the most important thing!
 
Hell ,you must have dealt with all the easy horses.In a perfect world yes there would be no need ,but unfortunately by the time most horses enter the private owner circulation. They have been fu+ked about by so many people who should have known better.Often it is a question of the lesser of evils. "correct training of the horse" starts from birth ,but if one has maybe 4 years of remedial work to do then I say "draw reins have a place in remedial training of horses"They need to be used wisely ,but wise people know there are no rules only guidlines.

On the contrary, my current mare was a nightmare when I first got her. Reared, spooked, spun and everything in between. Took her back to basics, a long and at times frustrating experience, neverless I never resorted to quick fix gadgets.
 
Really? Have you ever ridden out alone on a supremely fit, sharp event horse? If you have a decent independent seat and soft hands and are a competent rider, I see no problem with using a pair of draw reins which come into play only if/when required.

Yes I have, Mildred. I developed a decent seat as was necessary.
 
I detest all gadgets with a passion, however I would not verbally say anything to the rider about it. If that's what the rider wants to use, that's up to them. Personally I prefer to take the long road to happiness..
 
I have ridden 'super fit' eventers and some youngsters straight over from Ireland, never felt the need to use draw reins.

That is super then you will know how silly, sharp and idiotic they can be at the best of times !! And you can use draw reins without the horse leaning and being winched in ! What does them coming from ireland have to do with any of it may i ask ?
 
Have i missed something???

Were we not asked for our opinions? Everyone is entitled to one (especially when asked!) including blazingsaddles.....wow, you have stood up well under attack of your opinion blazingsaddles, my hat off to you!
 
That is super then you will know how silly, sharp and idiotic they can be at the best of times !! And you can use draw reins without the horse leaning and being winched in !
The way you describe it, sounds like you would be more sorted to sea fishing.

What does them coming from ireland have to do with any of it may i ask ?

Well, thats where my former employer brought her 4 year olds from.
 
Top