How to hold draw reins?

[TwinnyOlive]

Hi

I was just wondering how draw reins are held and best positioned to be used effectively and correctly? If the snaffle rein sits between the normal fingers, where does the draw rein go? It might seem a silly question, but I've never ridden with them and so just curious.

TIA!

 

[AmyMay]

Do you have a good instructor who could show you?

 

[albeg]

Agree with AM, if you haven't used them before you should ask an instructor.

 

[BunnyDog]

Hold them in one hand and position a trash can beneath them.

Then let go.

Em

 

[splashgirl45]

i would ask your instructor, you can do a lot of damage with draw reins if you dont understand how to ride with them. it is better to take longer with conventional training as you get a more natural outline..

 

[joosie]

I'd just tie the head in with side reins, then you don't need to worry about holding anything.
(*removes tongue from cheek*)

 

[tallyho!]

Why are you even considering draw reins?

 

[JFTDWS]

Have you tried holding them with a ten foot barge pole?

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

You have them round the outside of your pinky finger. They are best used with rubber reins so you can get a real good hold of them and wedge them against the rubber so they don't slip loose. Once your horses head is pinned in position kick like bugger because the horse won't go forwards! You may need a whip too! But in the end you will have a horse that holds its head where it has been put with no effort or input from the rider. The shoulders will be solid, the back rigid and the rear end in a different county 😀


In all seriousness you need a good instructor to show you how to use them properly. And a good instructor would only ever use them as a very last resort. You wouldn't be asking strangers on an internet forum how to use them if your instructor had half an idea.

I can say all this in an incredibly hypocritical way as I have spent the last 6 weeks riding 5-7 lots a day 6 days a week in draw reins! Because that is what the bosd wants. BUT I have been taught to use them correctly and *cough*don't tell the boss*cough* I very rarely use them for their intended purpose. They are on for the sake of appearances and only held enough to stop the horse from tripping over them. The rest of the work is done by legs and seat.

 

[TwinnyOlive]

I have no plans on using them, as I've already said I never have. I was asking out of curiosity so an actual answer rather than remarks and personal opinions would be nice!

 

[JFTDWS]

If you're not planning on using them, does it matter? I think telling people how to use draw reins on the internet is a bit like telling people how to make bombs. You might be sensible and reasonable and put your horse's welfare first - but anyone else might be reading, with an eye to blowing up the Houses of Parliament.

Actually, scratch that. I'm all for wiping those buggers out!

 

[TwinnyOlive]

I'm not asking how they are used, I'm asking how they are held - I don't think there's anything wrong with widening knowledge and asking a complete anti-inflammatory question that evidently has been blown out of proportion. A comparison between draw reins and blowing up the Houses of Parliament doesn't seem quite be on par imo.

 

[JFTDWS]

Personally, I think using draw reins on some poor innocent horse is probably worse than wiping out the current government...

But hey, we're all entitled to our opinions!

 

[Michen]

Wow...I don’t see anything wrong with using draw reins if appropriate and we hardly know enough about the Ops situation to judge.

I used them for the first time on Boggle 2 years or so ago. He had developed a nasty spinning habit out hacking, the draw reins allowed me to effectively break this cycle and after two weeks they were off and have never been used since. I had never used them before, I did some research online before doing so to ensure I used them correctly. I’ve been riding for 20 years.

Sorry, but there are situations where they are useful, and whose to say the Op isn’t in a situation where they would be.

 

[joosie]

double post

 

[splashgirl45]

if you need to know how to hold draw reins, just google and there are quite a few articles on their use etc. its an odd question to ask a forum if you have no intention of trying them and i think most of us are concerned that no one uses draw reins in the wrong way and are trying to advise for the good of the horse....

 

[nikkimariet]

Draw reins can be very useful when used correctly and appropriately but they are something that takes a lot of experience to be used in such a way, and can so easily be (unintentionally) misused.

I've always held them akin to a curb rein so they are less in play, so to speak.

IMHO they're less of a training aid and more of a correctional tool. IE I wouldn't ever train in them (dislike the feel or rather lack of that they provide) but I have used them for naughty and/or fresh horses to help break a habit etc. And I do always use them when hacking a certain spritely individual!

 

[Red-1]

I have used them for a horse who would bronc int canter when first getting fit in spring. The draw reins do encourage a downward feel, but they also double your strength to stop the head disappearing right between the knees.

The mare would wear then for the first 2 weeks of canter work, as a precautionary measure. They were not often used, but if she let loose they would get me back in the driving seat pretty quickly.

The horse I bought that reared a lot (was sold as such) also wore them, for a month, as this was the recommendation from the previous owner. I never actually used them and he never wore them again.

I use the snaffle rein as usual and have the draw reins a finger higher. I have them looser than the snaffle rein. I would not use them for schooling for the reasons already stated.

 

[milliepops]

I use the snaffle rein as usual and have the draw reins a finger higher. I have them looser than the snaffle rein.

Same here.

I think they can be useful in experienced hands as a -temporary - remedial tool and have used them myself as such. If you know what you want to achieve and are experienced at riding with and adjusting 2 sets of reins then they can be more useful than something like a martingale or market harborough in situations where the horse takes over, exactly because of the adjustability. You can decide in an instant if you want them to come into play or not. I will always own a pair but they probably only get used every few years or so.

 

[Goldenstar]

If you can ride well in a double bridle you should be able to use draw reins well .
There are several ways to hold them , just like the double , non are right or wrong it depends on personal preference and the horses way of going .
I have a pair I use them now and again I am relaxed about using them but I was lucky I was taught to use them by a wonderful trainer .

 

[JFTDWS]

Same here.

I think they can be useful in experienced hands as a -temporary - remedial tool ...

Fwiw, I agree with you - but I don't think people who could be using them safely would be asking on a forum how you do - it's the sort of thing which can only be done properly in person, with someone who knows what they're doing watching and advising.

There may have been an element of humour in previous posts (though I still wouldn't be upset to see certain politicians ...er... inhumed?)

 

[Michen]

Fwiw, I agree with you - but I don't think people who could be using them safely would be asking on a forum how you do - it's the sort of thing which can only be done properly in person, with someone who knows what they're doing watching and advising.

There may have been an element of humour in previous posts (though I still wouldn't be upset to see certain politicians ...er... inhumed?)

I used them safely and I googled how to hold them and use them etc, no different to asking on a forum really.

 

[JFTDWS]

I used them safely and I googled how to hold them and use them etc, no different to asking on a forum really.

Well in my opinion it's very different to do your own research, than to ask on a forum - but I imagine we're not going to agree on this one at all

 

[Michen]

Well in my opinion it's very different to do your own research, than to ask on a forum - but I imagine we're not going to agree on this one at all

Prob because I see HHO as the answer to all life’s questions. What should I feed my horse, should I shoe my horse, what colour head collar should be have..hehe.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Prob because I see HHO as the answer to all life’s questions. What should I feed my horse, should I shoe my horse, what colour head collar should be have..hehe.

42