Side reins?

[bubbledreamer]

Hello,
I was just wondering can you ride in side reins, some people say you can and some people say you cant. Also, do you attatch the side reins to the bridle or a cavesson lunging thing?
Thankyou

 

[MizElz]

I wouldnt ride in them. I used to think that side reins were like grass reins, and couldnt understand why it isnt good to ride in side reins, when grass reins are fine. But the difference is that side reins are attached lower on the saddle - NOT to the D-rings, where you would attach a grass rein. As a rider, you then run the risk of becoming tangled up in the side rein should the horse rear/buck/twist etc - I've seen this happen, so it isnt just scare mongering!

It is a great shame, because for me it would solve a huge problem, seeing as I am unable to lunge my horse, but its one of those things I simply wouldnt do.

BTW they are attached to the bit, not to the cavesson.

 

[ISHmad]

Having seen a horse at our yard go over backwards and fracture his skull because he had fixed side reins on a few weeks ago side reins are a no no for me full stop. No if's, not but's from where i am standing. Had never used them before, and most certainly never will.

 

[MizElz]

[ QUOTE ]
Having seen a horse at our yard go over backwards and fracture his skull because he had fixed side reins on a few weeks ago side reins are a no no for me full stop. No if's, not but's from where i am standing. Had never used them before, and most certainly never will.

[/ QUOTE ]

In a training yard, I once saw a four year old - who had been left in her stable with side reins on to 'break' her resistance to them - panic so much that she went over backwards.....no lasting damage was done, but she came out of her stable a couple of hours later with a horrid gash above her eye. Hateful experience