Side Reins.

[CaleruxShearer]

Quick question, can you ride in side reins or not?

Thank you

 

[ChocoCornflake]

I'd say no, but unfortunately thats not to say people don't....!

 

[Tiarella]

i ride in mine all the time

ive always been taught you can ride in them.

i also ride in base reins, are they allowed?

 

[martlin]

It's not advisable, but you can ride in side reins.
what are base reins (another name, please)?

 

[junglediva]

side reins dont really allow the horse to bend properly aeound ur legs. it can sometimes lead to habits on behalf of the horse. side-reins work best when ur training on foot!! but if ur working at a walk then i see no problem, aslong as ur not schooling ur horse.

 

[ChocoCornflake]

QR- Can I ask, in what situation would you want to ride in side reins?
Can understand theory of lunging in them, as it gives the horse a contact.

 

[Bossanova]

No- it's down right dangerous.
Horses slip themselves over on the lunge in side reins if they go up as there's no give in them

 

[TarrSteps]

More than one, um, "older" European (2 Germans, one Hungarian) have told me it was (and might still be - someone else would have to confirm) not unusual to teach relatively novice riders on in the school horses wearing correctly adjusted loose side reins in order to help the riders learn the proper feel for contact. Of course these would be solid, experienced, strong (both literally and in type) horses already taught to go in side reins, used in a controlled environment under supervision.

I've seen at one person teach this way and I have to say it worked well.

BUT just for general riding, no. But then I'm not a fan of them anyway and, like every other tool, they can just as easily teach the wrong thing as the right thing.

 

[lauraanddolly]

I've been taught that way Tarrsteps, and it really taught me the feel for a contact. Only done for a couple of sessions though. It's not something I would take it upon myself to do - I only did it with a trained instructor and in an enclosed area.

 

[dwi]

i have ridden in them a couple of times when D was on a strict diet and was pulling the reins out of my hands when we were hacking whatever I did. It solved this problem but I wouldn't use them as a schooling shortcut.

 

[TarrSteps]

[ QUOTE ]
I've been taught that way Tarrsteps, and it really taught me the feel for a contact. Only done for a couple of sessions though. It's not something I would take it upon myself to do - I only did it with a trained instructor and in an enclosed area.

[/ QUOTE ]

Absolutely, although having just re-read my post I'm surprised you could make head or tail of it.

Once again, one of those things that CAN be useful under the absolutely right circumstances but not advisable for any other reason, under any other circumstances.

 

[jen1]

That's interesting, my horse was very fresh a couple of weeks ago, I lunged him in tack and side reins as he can be very strong and I have more control with the side reins on, instructor was there giving someone a lesson and I asked if I could ride with them on, she said yes no problem, I decided against it though when the farmer started banging fence posts into the ground which made him even more 'fresh' (the horse not the farmer!)

 

[eveshooter]

Lots of people do but the main probs are that they hold a single position therefore;

- no opportunity to feel and then give relief for desired movement - horse can't learn when he is doing something right or wrong
- no opportunity to give horse recommended "rest" and stretch while schooling and riding - increasing muscle fatigue causing lots of probs both physical and behavioural
- reduces ability to bend and stretch horse laterally as same resistance on both sides with no "feel"

They can be useful used for short periods of time or as others have said for novice riders but their use is rather limited.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

[Damnation]

I know people who ride in them.
Personally I wouldn't. I don't like gadgets when ridden.
Izzi

 

[martlin]

I don't mind 'gadgets' as such, it,s just there is not enough give in them, so if a horse goes up (rears) it will go up and over - very dangerous. Draw reins are a better option as you can always let go

 

[CaleruxShearer]

Thanks all, was just wondering cos I lunge the nag in a pessoa
(occasionally side reins) but have always been taught not to ride in them because the horse will find it tricky to really work through from behind but saw someone at a show working in in them so just wondered.