i love draw reins

Quote:
Originally Posted by tristar
when you can ride properly you will not need draw reins,

Blimey, I dare you to stand in the middle of the International warm up arena at Hickstead and shout that!!


Every year at the Royal International and the Derby I stand watching the warm up, loudly pointing out all the gadgets and the false outlines and saying "she can't ride, neither can she, and he definitely can't..." etc..

Okay not quite the middle of the warm up arena but I'm working up to it!
 
many years ago in dressage magazine, when interviewed, anky van grunsven said that although her horse was olympic champîon he would not go to end of the road on a hack!

so i would'nt worry too much about the boyfriends opinion, your own instincts are probably nearer the truth.
 
Everything in the wrong hands is dangerous, horses in the wrong hands are dangerous, doesn't stop the wealth of idiots on here though.
I really do laugh hard at all the spectators commenting on international warm up arena tactics, it makes me cringe so much my ears hurt, and I wait for the day someone turns round and asks you exactly who you are, and why you think you are good enough to pass judgement.
 
I really am laughing now! Because someone rides their horse in draw reins they then automatically no longer know how to ride? WOW! I never knew that before! :rolleyes:

Draw Reins have a design and a purpose. As does Side Reins, Bungees, Pessoa's and all these other "Gadgets" you come across. Yes they are often misused by idiots - like the people who claim they are the only true riders in the world because they don't use them - but in the right hands they are a useful piece of kit.

We use them in the racing yard to ENCOURAGE the horses to bring their heads down so they can WORK through from their back end in their gallop work. The key words here are Encourage - we do not force, you can't force a horse to do something if it doesn't want to, and Work - half a tonne of energetic muscle ain't gonna be listening to no 91/2stone midget when they ask it to bring it's head down. It's usually the flat horses that have been brought into the yard that NEED the DR's as most of the carry their heads very high and they can not possibly work up our hills like that. Once the horses learn their new job and they discover that it is actually easier for the to lower their heads and gallop up into their bridles the DR's are removed as they are no longer necessary. Shock horror they are also occasionally used for jumping too. A horse that jumps at speed with it's head too high is very quickly a dead horse. So yes, we use them for the benefit and well being of the horses.

The beauty of the Draw Rein is that you can work away with them and as soon as the horse get's the idea of what is being asked to do they can be dropped and work on your normal rein resumes. They are not a constant in the right hands.

So maybe all of you "perfect riders" who don't need gadgets should actually take the time to learn about them and their uses before slating them and writing themoff completely.

More tea and biccies anyone :D
 
RunToEarth said:
Everything in the wrong hands is dangerous, horses in the wrong hands are dangerous, doesn't stop the wealth of idiots on here though.
I really do laugh hard at all the spectators commenting on international warm up arena tactics, it makes me cringe so much my ears hurt, and I wait for the day someone turns round and asks you exactly who you are, and why you think you are good enough to pass judgement.
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THIS - most sensible post in this entire thread.

P
 
Ah, for the want of perfection,I would love the perfect horse, for me to have the perfect postion with perfect hands 100 % of the time but this is real life!
I use draw reins, not on a daily basis, but if we have horses in to school that have been wrecked by some one else or are just down right dangerous. We have one horse at the moment that would rear the moment you asked him to work in any form of an outline, said horse was checked to death by vet, phsyio, saddler, dentist ect ect but there was nothing wrong. He had just learnt to say sod off!
We rode him in draw reins for a while to show him and convince him on working correctly, this worked and he is now gaining 70% plus in his dressage tests. We still have them on stand by should he revert
I have also used them on a very spooky horse to get him to focus on me and his work rather than spooking and bogging off round the school.
The third example of when I have used them is on a horse who was VERY sharp to mount. as soon as your backside hit the saddle it would bog off, putting draw reins on for the moutning process stopped him being able to get his head up and bog off.
 
Completely agree, there are circumstances where they are useful and if that is the case why not use them.
Obviously I don't agree with people using them to pull there horses head to its chest.
But as said earlier lots of other gadgets are also used inappropriately.
 
LittleBlackMule said:
Quote:
Originally Posted by tristar
when you can ride properly you will not need draw reins,

Blimey, I dare you to stand in the middle of the International warm up arena at Hickstead and shout that!!


Every year at the Royal International and the Derby I stand watching the warm up, loudly pointing out all the gadgets and the false outlines and saying "she can't ride, neither can she, and he definitely can't..." etc..

Okay not quite the middle of the warm up arena but I'm working up to it!
Click to expand...

It is hilarious when one overhears people like this. If you can do better why aren't you riding there? :):)
 
quirky said:
Draw reins are the work of the devil .... apparently.

I'm sure you will be told why in no uncertain terms very soon :D.
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Ha you are so witty! :)

Yes draw reins are a no no really. Some people use them to control their horses on the roads (sounds good idea) but most people use them to create a false outline as BOF said.

I have to say about twice a year I hook my reins to my breast plate running martingale attachment to make a draw reins equivalent and have a ten minute session of pure heaven with my horse moving away from my leg like a PSG, attentive, lovely to ride, and feels sooo good. But only twice a year before I become told in no uncertain terms too! :D

Sadly much as it hurts (and sometimes it hurts like hell) there is no shortcut to good training.
 
HORSEGIRLY, i said nothing of the sort, you have misquoted me, the only bit i am guilty of is the 1st paragraph.!

what you said i said was actually what someone else said,

get yer specs on girl
 
RunToEarth said:
Everything in the wrong hands is dangerous, horses in the wrong hands are dangerous, doesn't stop the wealth of idiots on here though.
I really do laugh hard at all the spectators commenting on international warm up arena tactics, it makes me cringe so much my ears hurt, and I wait for the day someone turns round and asks you exactly who you are, and why you think you are good enough to pass judgement.
Click to expand...

Don't you just love the armchair experts...

I hold up my hands and freely admit to being a crap rider on bargain basement horses, never got above Elementary with my cob, but he's a nobber to hack out alone (I'm not good enough to control his "Welsh" moments) so put draw reins on him to do so. They hang in festoons on his neck until we spot something monstrous then they are gathered up and I ride "agriculturally" past it. Then we resume sleeping mode!
 
broke_but_happy said:
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
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For what purpose do you use them?

Someone once gave me some draw reins...I in turn gave them to my 7 year old daughter.....to use as a skipping rope!...the most useful purpose for them. ;)
 
I hate them even though I've been tempted to give in and use them (I have some in my tack room) so far I never have. The only symptom my boy was showing of his very considerably bad bilateral bone spavin was to throw his head in the air. I could have forced him into an outline and into complying with draw reins, but the root of his problem would have remained unsolved. He did this intermittently for over a year and I was able to bring him beautifully round if I rode him daily so it shows that he was willing to work correctly despite the pain. At least now I know the cause of his evasion and do not feel guilty that I forced him to lower his head. I am not sure if his injections have worked but he only evaded the contact for a few minutes yesterday, before working beautifully in walk and trot.

I can spot a horse that has worked in draw reins a mile off. I think it ruins them. I can understand their use by professionals wanting quick results as they do have the effect of temporarily lightening the horse. But it IS temporary. Horses that have been worked in draw reins regularly usually need stronger bits and more gadgets to ride effectively than those that haven't IME.
 
Wow, de ja vu anyone? :D

Some people on here are so sanctamonious, just because you get an outline out of a horse without DRs it does not mean that they are not useful in aiding a horse to achieve a correct outline with the support of correct schooling and use of this aid.

What some people on here are saying is that if you can not ride your horse/ school without them then you can not ride. This is akin to saying that if you can not make change your own tyre you can not drive a car!

When a young horse has a steering issue what do many people do? They put it in a full cheek snaffle to give it added support and clearer aids.

This is no different.

Many of the aids/ gadgets that we use are used because they amplify what we want to communicate with the horse:
Whips,
Spurs,
Bits
Draw Reins

To name but a few, these have the effect of a loud speaker, and us as riders are in control of the volume. It is our use of the volume of these aids that causes the problems. People who have an in depth understanding of the 'gadgets' know that too much volume in the first instance will cause discomfort and false outlines but that correct and sympathetic use of them is effective, the level of use can be 'turned down' even further in volume over time as the horse adjusts, develops and understands what is being asked. The draw reins, if used correctly are not a 'quick fix' but help the horse in its transition to understand and respond to the communication from the rider alone.
 
my mare works long and low in hers. I ride in a bareback pad and can feel her back working nicely. I only use them very occassionally though.
 
if you need draw reins to hack out you should'nt be on the road?

or maybe better to include a parachute, one of those car inflatable airbag things, and one those bungy elastics, so the horse can't run off, but it will be one hell of a tangle by the time you get it all back together.
 
queenbee said:
What some people on here are saying is that if you can not ride your horse/ school without them then you can not ride. This is akin to saying that if you can not make change your own tyre you can not drive a car!
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No if you couldn't change your own tyre, you'd take it to a garage where there would be people who could. And then you'd make sure that you learnt change a flat before you get another puncture!

If you can ride but can't school your horse (:confused:) then you should seek advice from someone more knowledgable and they in turn should be able to help you without the need for force....and make no mistake that's what DR do, force the horses head down and in.

Like someone else has said you can spot a horse that's been ridden in DR a mile off.
 
tristar said:
if you need draw reins to hack out you should'nt be on the road?

or maybe better to include a parachute, one of those car inflatable airbag things, and one those bungy elastics, so the horse can't run off, but it will be one hell of a tangle by the time you get it all back together.
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If that was aimed at me... I never mentioned the road.... :)
 
tristar said:
if you need draw reins to hack out you should'nt be on the road?

or maybe better to include a parachute, one of those car inflatable airbag things, and one those bungy elastics, so the horse can't run off, but it will be one hell of a tangle by the time you get it all back together.
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Blimey, you are a bit evangelical, aren't you?:rolleyes:
 
evangelical, had to look that one up in the old dictionary, harraps to be exact, and i quote, evangelical - 'preaching to the heathens' lol!
 
mainpower, sorry but i've never heard of you before.

heathens, same dictionary, and i quote 'people who are simple and primitive, lost in ignorance' i am sure that does not apply to anyone on here!
 
tristar said:
HORSEGIRLY, i said nothing of the sort, you have misquoted me, the only bit i am guilty of is the 1st paragraph.!

what you said i said was actually what someone else said,

get yer specs on girl
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I know, it's just the way it quoted it. I don't know who said they stand there and point out people who can't ride :)
 
All items of tack / training aids etc can be used badly. The key is to never use a particular item when you are emotional - only when it is the logical choice. And to use it as a means to an end, with a very clear train of thought in your head as to WHY you are using soemthing, HOW you will use it - and most importantly - a clear plan for how you will work to a point where you no longer require it.

Do those of you who claim draw reins are evil also say the same for whips and spurs? I've seen far more people absuing their horses with these than draw reins.....

Echo the same arguement against using a bit other than a snaffle - never mind that using a stronger bit correctly is far kinder than using a snaffle harshly.

Sometimes (and more often than not in my experience) people do actually care about their horses and whilst, yes, in an ideal world we would all have the time, experience and facilities to bring our horses on in such a manner as to never need to use a "gadget" - that just isn't realistic. Whether because you have inherited someone elses problems, or you have a difficult horse that doesn't understand that it is supposed to behave perfectly because it is given the luxury of being ridden in a snaffle with no martingale / draw reins / stick / spurs (pick whichever is your chosen implement of torture). Horses have their own minds and some DO choose to just be a bit naughty - and sometimes a short spell of draw reins / stronger bit / stick / spurs reminds them that in fact you are in charge.

As for those of you who think you are clever for criticizing those doing better than you in the competitive sphere..... maybe a touch of the old green eyed monster? If (you think) you can ride so much better than those out there doing well.... why aren't you? Yes, undoubtedly there are riders who have got there in spite of their lack of ability, but most work hard and produce good work and horses - and quite often have used "gadgets" as a means to an end.

I am very glad that so many of you are such wonderful riders though that you can get on any horse and instantly have it transform into a picture of utter serenity and harmony in a simple snaffle and not need to resort to any gadgets.

I also rather like how so many of you who claim to be the above have used signature pictures containing horses in martingales, or being ridden by you in spurs or carrying a stick. Thats a nice touch to make the mere mortals amongst us feel more at home.
 
tristar said:
heathens, same dictionary, and i quote 'people who are simple and primitive, lost in ignorance' i am sure that does not apply to anyone on here!
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I'm a heathen... or so i'm told :)

on the subject of draw reins, I dont use them myself but Ive seen my old YM use them with good effect on OTT racehorses, who need a bit of help to understand bringing their heads down.
I think draw reins have a use, and if used sympathetically, ( not to pull the head into an "outline" ) I dont see the problem.

Kx
 
i've just reschooled an ex racehorse, by shifting the balance a lot further back, only tools need were longer leg position, upright body position very soft hands, gentle seat, transitions, shoulder-in, the horse is sensational to ride, like any good tb, the horse did this on his own, he just had the opportunity.
 
Going against the grain, all of my yearlings and 2 yr olds are broken in using side reins..... Every horse is riding out in a martingale.....
Maybe after nearly 20 years of breaking in horses I should change what has worked extremely well and safely as it's deemed kinder to the horse!!!

Aidan O'Brien has all of his horses over the winter being ridden in draw reins. Does this now make him a terrible trainer?? I would certainly beg to differ - he's an outstanding horseman and has a unique understanding of every horse in his care.
 
never heard of using side reins on yearlings before, what is the benefit of that?

does aidan o'brien use his his draw reins on yearlings and 2 year olds?
 
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