People who use draw reins...

[hayley.t]

My instructor has suggested using draw reins, just a couple of times. Unfortunately she is using hers at the moment and can't lend me them. What I wondered was is there a difference between using leather or the webbing ones? I would rather only buy the cheap webbing ones as will only be using them a couple of times but do they work as well as the leather ones? What I mean is that she said to keep them very loose between his bit and girth and I am wondering if the webbing ones will be ok for this or if the leather will be better?

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

My instructor has suggested using draw reins, just a couple of times. Unfortunately she is using hers at the moment and can't lend me them. What I wondered was is there a difference between using leather or the webbing ones? I would rather only buy the cheap webbing ones as will only be using them a couple of times but do they work as well as the leather ones? What I mean is that she said to keep them very loose between his bit and girth and I am wondering if the webbing ones will be ok for this or if the leather will be better?

PLEASE don't use them at all. Full stop.

I've just seen a lovely young horse with a neck like a buffalo...... he'd been ridden in draw reins and has had to have physio plus looks absolutely over-developed in his front end, whilst lacking condition behind.

IMO anybody thinking of using draw reins should put them on themselves first, and see how they like it. Awful things

 

[Abbeygale]

I would suggest the best thing to do is if your instructor has suggested this, to only use them during your lesson under your instructors supervision. And tbh if you're only going to use them a couple of times, its not worth paying out to buy some.

They can be absolutely hideous things, so for me, I would always prefer for the couple of times using them tobe while I am under strict supervision of my instructor.

 

[bellatrix]

PLEASE don't use them at all. Full stop.

I've just seen a lovely young horse with a neck like a buffalo...... he'd been ridden in draw reins and has had to have physio plus looks absolutely over-developed in his front end, whilst lacking condition behind.

IMO anybody thinking of using draw reins should put them on themselves first, and see how they like it. Awful things

If things like that happened the person was not using the draw reins correctly!
As long draw reins are used properly and people are taught how to use them they can be quite a useful tool (if used for the right reasons!)
Just out of interest why does your instructor want you to use them? And will she be helping you with them?
I prefer leather, but thats just a personal preference, I dont like the feel of the webbing ones

 

[hayley.t]

Ok thank you. I will PM you if that is ok Bellatrix?

 

[Gamebird]

I've used both and my preference is for leather and cord. I have the Mark Todd ones which I really like. Because they have more weight to them than the webbing ones it is easier to keep them slack if required as the weight of the cord/leather helps them to slacken off and slide through the bit rings whereas the webbing ones don't seem to do that as well.

I've always held them like the curb rein n a double (which I hold between my second and third fingers so crossed over with the snaffle rein which is between the third and fourth), however I got a really good tip from a Vere Phillips thing where he holds them on the other side of the snaffle rein round his pinkies (ie not crossed with the snaffle rein). This means that you have far more awareness of which rein is in play and can use them with more independence. To use the draw rein just rotate your hands so that you push your thumb towards the horse's head and pull your lower hand (ie. pinkie etc.) towards your body. Sorry, much easier to demonstrate than to describe. Apologies if that doesn't make sense!

 

[Antw23uk]

PLEASE don't use them at all. Full stop.

I've just seen a lovely young horse with a neck like a buffalo...... he'd been ridden in draw reins and has had to have physio plus looks absolutely over-developed in his front end, whilst lacking condition behind.

IMO anybody thinking of using draw reins should put them on themselves first, and see how they like it. Awful things

Please don't scare the OP by posting this! Using a 'training' aid correctly can and will make a difference for the good. I agree the OP should be under instruction whilst using them although I would question why you cant use there's? They aren't part of a bridle so can easily be taken on and off ... Just be careful this instructor isn't pressurising you into anything if she is using them all the time because that is NOT what they are for!

 

[hayley.t]

Thank you, that was what I was worried about with the webbing ones, I used my instructors which were leather and they had enough weight to keep loose. I think that makes sense, I was holding them as a curb rein.

 

[CrazyMare]

Mine are leather - Like gamebird says, there is plenty of weight to them so they will loosen themselves as they slide well.

 

[nikicb]

My instructor has suggested using draw reins, just a couple of times. Unfortunately she is using hers at the moment and can't lend me them. What I wondered was is there a difference between using leather or the webbing ones? I would rather only buy the cheap webbing ones as will only be using them a couple of times but do they work as well as the leather ones? What I mean is that she said to keep them very loose between his bit and girth and I am wondering if the webbing ones will be ok for this or if the leather will be better?

There is a place for draw reins and I have used them in the past, however they are no good as a quick fix and no substitute for proper schooling. Please make sure you understand why your instructor thinks they will be a good thing for your horse. It would worry me that she uses them so much she can't lend them to you as a once off.

 

[lannerch]

I used draw reins on my horse when he was young just a couple of times under instruction to show him a rounder outline in canter only, and it was a light bulb moment , once he understood what was being asked he never needed them again!
Used correctly they can be a useful training aide .
I had leather, they were only cheap ones and hardly any dearer than the webbing ones.

 

[millitiger]

I would suggest the best thing to do is if your instructor has suggested this, to only use them during your lesson under your instructors supervision.

echo this.

If your instructor has suggested using them, I would want to be using them in the lesson to make sure you are using them they way she envisaged and therefore she should be able to lend you hers for the duration of your lesson.

(I do prefer leather ones though as the webbing ones are too wide for my hands and can also seem slower to release when you give the hand/rein forwards)

 

[hayley.t]

Sorry, just want to say I do really trust my instructor and she is not harsh/ heavy at all. In fact that is why I changed to her. I have used hers in a lesson.

 

[fuzzle]

Very good post above!!! used in the right way under a good instructor!! but try and not depend on the draw reins, using your natural aid and learning is the best way, draw reins used wrong can cause massive problems!! not only for you but for your horse too xx

 

[hayley.t]

There is a place for draw reins and I have used them in the past, however they are no good as a quick fix and no substitute for proper schooling. Please make sure you understand why your instructor thinks they will be a good thing for your horse. It would worry me that she uses them so much she can't lend them to you as a once off.

I travel quite a long way to her so she would have to lend me them till my next lesson which could be a couple of weeks. She doesn't use them a lot. I feel bad now that i'm painting a bad impression of her, she is a very good instructor.

 

[nikicb]

I travel quite a long way to her so she would have to lend me them till my next lesson which could be a couple of weeks. She doesn't use them a lot. I feel bad now that i'm painting a bad impression of her, she is a very good instructor.

No don't worry, I think the important thing is you understand what is to be achieved by using them. They definitely have their place, as do many so called gadgets, but only when used in the right way.

 

[glamourpuss]

I have to laugh at this place if the OP was saying she was going to use an equiami, a Pessoa, side reins or even a martingale she would just get a reply to her reply....but because she mentioned...dun...dun...dun..[gasp] draw reins there is a reply akin to her suggesting that she is going to beat up her horse & suggestions that she should only ever use them under supervision.

A training aid is a training aid. None are worse than another provided they are used correctly However used incorrectly they all can cause damage. I hate Pessoas with an absolute passion, I think they clunk at a horses mouth & I've seen side reins used to the point of cruelty they were so tight!
Just because draw reins can be used to tie a horse in don't assume all users of them do!

Anyway OP I have used webbing ones but I much leather ones.

 

[hayley.t]

Thank you for your replies. And thank you glamourpuss the reason she advised them rather than another type of gadget is because you can adjust them as required and loosen them right off if need be.

 

[castella]

The replies to this post have made me laugh, its like using draw reins is as bad as admitting to microwaving a kitten or something else hideous like that !!!!

I'm about to use them on my boy for the same purpose as lannerch above as he has decided that throwing his head in the air whilst cantering, and I mean nose pointing to the sky vertical, and peeing off across the arena is his latest evasion to being expected to work a bit harder, and yes all checks have been done and he canters fine on the lunge, he is just a very opinionated clever pony I wont be using them long term just as a little reminder as to who is the boss and that his little tricks dont work !

 

[Goldenstar]

I much prefer the leather and cord ones .
Please get your self trained how to use them in lessons .
It's very worth while to invest some time into learning how to use them well.

 

[Llanali]

I've used both and my preference is for leather and cord. I have the Mark Todd ones which I really like. Because they have more weight to them than the webbing ones it is easier to keep them slack if required as the weight of the cord/leather helps them to slacken off and slide through the bit rings whereas the webbing ones don't seem to do that as well.

I've always held them like the curb rein n a double (which I hold between my second and third fingers so crossed over with the snaffle rein which is between the third and fourth), however I got a really good tip from a Vere Phillips thing where he holds them on the other side of the snaffle rein round his pinkies (ie not crossed with the snaffle rein). This means that you have far more awareness of which rein is in play and can use them with more independence. To use the draw rein just rotate your hands so that you push your thumb towards the horse's head and pull your lower hand (ie. pinkie etc.) towards your body. Sorry, much easier to demonstrate than to describe. Apologies if that doesn't make sense!

Exactly how I use them, and also my preference for leather and cord/rope. I have some HKM ones from eBay, about £20 which are a nice weight and width in your hand. All leather ones, unless expensive leather, can be a bit stuff I have found, and I have ridden in a pair that had a "join" or leather in just the wrong place- it always seemed to catch coming through the bit ring, meaning it didn't always release the moment I wanted it to.

I travel quite a long way to her so she would have to lend me them till my next lesson which could be a couple of weeks. She doesn't use them a lot. I feel bad now that i'm painting a bad impression of her, she is a very good instructor.

You haven't painted a bad picture. As someone above said, HHO has this tendency to think draw reins are akin to serial puppy abuse. No one should be judging really, you didn't ask for any sort d advice as to how to fix a problem etc. If your instructor, who knows you, the horse and the situation has shown you how, and explained why they could be of benefit in a manner which satisfies you, then no armchair warriors really have much of a leg to stand on with advice, no matter how well intentioned which is not asked for and based upon no context.

 

[Happy Hunter]

"join" or leather in just the wrong place- it always seemed to catch coming through the bit ring,

Bugs me! Suppose its somethign to do with the size of a cow?!

Hope you find the right pair OP - I would have a look for some second hand ones - you can always sell them on in a couple of months if you need the money back - otherwise you will end up with a garage /equestrian mega store like mine

 

[xgemmax]

I just have the cheap webbing ones and they are fine as I don't use them much. Used correctly they should not cause any damage at all! Obviously if the horses head is strapped down then yeah its not good, but used loosely and as a guide to help the horse stretch down then they are a useful tool

 

[dianchi]

The replies to this post have made me laugh, its like using draw reins is as bad as admitting to microwaving a kitten or something else hideous like that !!!!

Have just spat tea over my keyboard whilst trying to be sneaky on here at work

 

[Ferdinase514]

Sure OP is perfectly capable and doesn't require nannying by her trainer.

I use the webbing ones

 

[LeannePip]

i have a set of webbing ones that i only tend to use for faster work ocasionally if i feel like it might be too exciting so use them as a sort of adjustable martingale, just to help keep her head below the 'point of no return' certainly not tied into her chest, its worked well and i dont use them that often

also use them to lunge 'the kerilli way'

you and your instructor know your horse best and if you think they may help you over come an issue or improve the horse and you are confident using them correctly you aren't going to do any harm with them, its people who use them as a quick fix to an outline that give them a bad name.

 

[Lolo]

We have the webbing ones, because we can bung them in the washing machine if Al abandons them in the middle of the field and they get wet and muddy!

 

[muddy_grey]

I have these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HKM-Leath...quipment&var=480212481402&hash=item2a2856207b
Delivery was really quick and I am pleased with them. I really like the rope leather ones as they have weight, but aren't too bulky in my hands. Also the rope "slides" through the bit easily. Which ever you get don't get ones with just loops at the end as you can't take them off which is really annoying.

 

[vam]

I've used both and my preference is for leather and cord. I have the Mark Todd ones which I really like. Because they have more weight to them than the webbing ones it is easier to keep them slack if required as the weight of the cord/leather helps them to slacken off and slide through the bit rings whereas the webbing ones don't seem to do that as well.

I've always held them like the curb rein n a double (which I hold between my second and third fingers so crossed over with the snaffle rein which is between the third and fourth), however I got a really good tip from a Vere Phillips thing where he holds them on the other side of the snaffle rein round his pinkies (ie not crossed with the snaffle rein). This means that you have far more awareness of which rein is in play and can use them with more independence. To use the draw rein just rotate your hands so that you push your thumb towards the horse's head and pull your lower hand (ie. pinkie etc.) towards your body. Sorry, much easier to demonstrate than to describe. Apologies if that doesn't make sense!

This is how i was taught to use them, much clearer for me and the horse.

I have the webbing ones from Shires, quite like them as they have the same 'notches' on them as webbing reins, makes it useful knowing the length you have got them up and not over shorten. I will probably get some leather and rope ones if i need to use them again only because i find them bulky as as said they dont move as well, they are fine for the odd occasion i use them for ridden and i mostly use them for lunging.

 

[TheSylv007]

I've used both and my preference is for leather and cord. I have the Mark Todd ones which I really like. Because they have more weight to them than the webbing ones it is easier to keep them slack if required as the weight of the cord/leather helps them to slacken off and slide through the bit rings whereas the webbing ones don't seem to do that as well.

I've always held them like the curb rein n a double (which I hold between my second and third fingers so crossed over with the snaffle rein which is between the third and fourth), however I got a really good tip from a Vere Phillips thing where he holds them on the other side of the snaffle rein round his pinkies (ie not crossed with the snaffle rein). This means that you have far more awareness of which rein is in play and can use them with more independence. To use the draw rein just rotate your hands so that you push your thumb towards the horse's head and pull your lower hand (ie. pinkie etc.) towards your body. Sorry, much easier to demonstrate than to describe. Apologies if that doesn't make sense!

I'd second this.