Side reins

[hellybelly6]

Can you ride in side reins? I ask because my horse likes to put his nose between his knees and tanks off with me, no amount of pulling or using my legs raises his head and seeing a pair of shoulders with the ground rushing past is a surreal experience and not one I am keen on repeating, so I wonder if side reins would help? Any help would be appreciated - thank you

 

[spotty_pony]

No you should never ride in side reins. If a horse stumbles it will not be able to regain it's balance and will just fall so it is too dangerous to ride with them. Have you tried checking him with just one rein?If you just pull with both reins, some horses will just set their head and neck against you and no amount of pulling will stop them. If you use one rein, this will catch them off balance and they will have to turn which will help you to regain control and slow down. Hope this helps.

 

[Tnavas]

You sound like you could do with a grass rein - goes from the D on the saddle through the browband to the bit - if the horse goes to put it's head down the bit pulls up in the mouth stopping the horse from getting his head down