side reins explained please

ellis9905

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my daughters instructor has suggested that when i lunge the pony i use side reins- can someone please explain what the benefits of side reins would be?

pony is 8 yr old, but prior to us owning him he had done very little "proper" schooling and had just been a happy hack/potter about on.


( i have ordered some- but will be asking instructor next week to show me how to fit them before use and correct show of lunging in them)

i just dont want to appear a complete numpty to the instructor when we discuss it next week!!

thanks :)
 
They just put the horse in an outline.

If you haven't used them before make sure the outside rein is looser than the inside to allow them to bend to the direction they are travelling and just have them fairly loose on a low setting till they get the hang of them. Then as they warm up tighten them to work the horse in desired outline and then take off completely at the end to let their muscles cool down.

I lunge twice a week in them and only have them on for about 15 to 20 mins, the rest of the time is cool down and work in hand. They will help encourage your horse to work in a nice frame and use their back rather than running along hollow.
 
Side reins are used to give the horse a contact to work into when you work them forward
I personally would have them at an equal length as my experience is if the outside rein is looser the horse just falls out through the shoulder, fasten them to the roller at or above the shoulder level, start with them a bit looser to let the horse stretch down to the contact and get used to them, then take them in until theyre about 2-3 inches back from the bit when the horse is standing level.
Bear in mind he may not be used to them and might find it quite difficult to begin with
 
Side reins take the place of the reins that the rider would normally be holding

They teach the pony to accept a contact and encourage the pony to work in an outline by mimicing the action of the half halt.

To fit correctly - stand the pony to attention and adjust the length so that they are just short of the bit.

First warm up the pony on both reins without them fitted. Once warmed up clip on the outside rein first, ensuring that you do not stand in front of the pony. Then attach the inside side rein. Work the pony in trot only.

Both side reins should be of equal length as you want to teach the pony to work into the outside rein.

Lunge off a proper lunge cavesson for best results as you really need the lunge line attached to the centre of the nose.

Send the pony forward with the whip and then give a half halt by squeezing the lunge line - the movement of your hand brings the ponys head slightly to the inside while increasing the pressure on the outside siderein.

Farma - Side reins should always be the same length as you want to teach the horse to work into the OUTSIDE rein - your lunge line and whip dictates the bend, working correctly the inside siderein should have a soft loop in it.
 
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Agree entirely with tnavas, but with you saying pony just check the size before you order, they are often one size, & on a smaller pony far too big.
 
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