i love draw reins

Having and using a pair of draw reins is just like having an offside 4x4 vehicle. A lot of people have them because they are a status symbol and fashionable. They aren't however utilising them for what they were originally designed. Being taught to ride in a pair and to use them correctly and truly effectively is something not enough people bother to do today. I thinking if there were more people willing to learn, and more instructors knowledgeable enough to teach people how to use them there wouldn't be such a stigma attached to them. After all draw reins were quite possibly one of the first "training aids" to be developed many many years ago when riders were true horsemen and women.
 
Prepares to be shot here but I love them too!
I school my cob in them once a fortnight in them and he goes like a dream. He does work from behind and he is not over bent. Oh and he won his last dressage test :p
 
mbequest said:
Having and using a pair of draw reins is just like having an offside 4x4 vehicle. A lot of people have them because they are a status symbol and fashionable. They aren't however utilising them for what they were originally designed. Being taught to ride in a pair and to use them correctly and truly effectively is something not enough people bother to do today. I thinking if there were more people willing to learn, and more instructors knowledgeable enough to teach people how to use them there wouldn't be such a stigma attached to them. After all draw reins were quite possibly one of the first "training aids" to be developed many many years ago when riders were true horsemen and women.
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Well, helloooo! Long time no see and all that :D
 
Noone important Brambridge sweetie, sorry to hijack the thread. I'm glad that you are having some help and jot just going off on your own using drawn reins. Used properly they can be a wonderful training tool, used badly, can be very detrimental. I hope your pony comes leaps and bounds!!
 
Draw reins were invented in the 16th century by horseman William Cavendish, the Duke Of Newcastle. He ditched the draw reins when he began learning that if we rode properly, horses would develop self carriage; he noted his findings in his book. One of the things we learn, especially if you're like me and into classical training, horses are built differently, their necks vary- some prefer to be poll high, others seem to over-bend slightly.


Just a cheeky comment, but I love how every time I see a draw rein discussion, everyone who uses them says ''I've been taught to use them correctly'' now c'mon ;).



I don't like them, I wouldn't use them- one because I wouldn't want them as IMO it defeats the point of self carriage, and I'd probably not do it 'correctly'.

''If you're good enough to use them, you shouldn't need them, if you're not good enough to use them, you shouldn't use them''. :P
 
I have to say I used them recently on my horse which leans and I didn't find them as effective as trying to encourage him to engage in proper self carriage with schooling without them. But they may assist when he is more balanced, or a horse not so much on its forehand. I am sure they have their place but at present I'm not using mine. Maybe as a one off now and then they might be useful to me.
 
Brambridge04 said:
They are not used for outline....they where used to stop her taking the pee out of me and also instructor and acting a total fool whilst being totally ignorant and ignoring everything.

Not used for outline at all! !
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You could try a harbridge instead, its elasticated so not so restricted
 
martlin said:
It always amazes me how many people shout all evil at draw reins, but find market harborough or harbridge just fine... At least you can drop the contact on draw reins in seconds...
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True, I agree, (I just posted to say to use the harbridge lol)

I think you need to know 'how' to use them, at least the OP has had some advice and not just stuck them on
 
I haven't read all replies! Knew this would be a long one!! I think draw reins are a marmite thing!! Personally they have their place BUT are abused alot!! Some of the top riders use them, I've seen a certain top show jumper jumping in them too. But because total control of them is in the riders hands they are easily abused and used ineffectively. Harbridges only take effect when the horses head comes too high (effectively the same affect as a standing martingale), they do not pull the nose in like draw reins so work differently.
 
Hedwards said:
Not when I used to use it, attaches to a strap on the girth and a system of what look like pullys - I have to say I agree with the previous poster, used occasionally it can have fantastic results, really worked on my old mare.
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AH there you go :)
they're better than draw reins IMO and they work in the long term. not for every horse of course but mine did well from them :) been looking for a new one a while tbh, and i never did the tying head to tail thing ...

you do all of course realise you should be able to ride with no tack. and your horse should move brilliantly like that, because it's only natural. second best thing to that is bitless, treeless and shoeless! (whether it benefits your horse or not...) :rolleyes:
 
I too am a self confessed lover of the draw reins!!! :D everyone is entitled to their own opinion, its funny to see everyone who doesn't like them are very quick to comment and judge. Everyone has their own ways of doing things so let us be with our gadgets, as long as our horses are happy and healthy thats all that matters :)
 
Well it depends how you use them

I tend not to use draw reins I would rather have running reins (attached to girth at side under saddle) - and have used them when horse just being a complete strong sod - sticking nose in air and ignoring aids (and running on adrenaline) - they were used until she realised that dropping crest and lowering neck lowers her adrenaline, and she was worked for a few days in them - making sure pushing from behind - i never even had her on vertical she was alway in front of vertical - it was to lower the neck and get her calmer and listening - after a few days she got the idea and were taken off.

They havent been back on - they were last resort, but worked.

BUT you have to make sure nose is not behind vertical and neck 'breaking' at 3nd or 3rd vertebrae - it will be a false outline and do nothing for muscle development - nothing for trust in horse as they will be forced into that outline.

I know someone who has draw reins for a rearer - they are loose til she decides to start. In that case fair enough.

I would say give it a few days and take them off - dont get to rely on them - and let horse stretch lots dont hold neck in position all time.
 
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