rubyrumba
Well-Known Member
I have varied opinions from others and want to see what you guys think to settle the argument!
When to introduce side reins when backing?
- Thread starter rubyrumba
- Start date
Bossanova
Well-Known Member
I generally introduce them when horse is happy lunging all 3 paces and has accepted the bit well.
ISHmad
Well-Known Member
We don't.
teddyt
Well-Known Member
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I generally introduce them when horse is happy lunging all 3 paces and has accepted the bit well.
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I agree with this as the very minimum but to confuse you some more, with some horses i dont use them at all. It really depends on the horse. Also, when they are introduced they are very loose and MUST have elastic in them. Preferably i only use them when the horse is ready to start working in an outline, which can be quite a long time after the horse is backed. Only when the horse is strong enough to be asked to work rounder
I generally introduce them when horse is happy lunging all 3 paces and has accepted the bit well.
[/ QUOTE ]
I agree with this as the very minimum but to confuse you some more, with some horses i dont use them at all. It really depends on the horse. Also, when they are introduced they are very loose and MUST have elastic in them. Preferably i only use them when the horse is ready to start working in an outline, which can be quite a long time after the horse is backed. Only when the horse is strong enough to be asked to work rounder
JanetGeorge
Well-Known Member
We back a lot of horses - our own and other people's - and we don't use them! (I think there MIGHT be a pair in the back takroom but I can't recall WHEN they were last dug-out (it certainly wasn't for a baby.)
diggerbez
Well-Known Member
i would say same as Boss said- when horse is happily lungeing around in all 3 paces- and i'd put them on quite loose so horse doesn't panic
rubyrumba
Well-Known Member
Well i wasn't going to bother either but lots of people said i should!
JanetGeorge
Well-Known Member
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Well i wasn't going to bother either but lots of people said i should!
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Why?? Personally, I would tell 'lots of people' to concentrate on their own horses and leave you in peace. IF you have a problem you can't handle, then a good Instructor is likely to be more help than interfering busy-bodies!
Well i wasn't going to bother either but lots of people said i should!
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Why?? Personally, I would tell 'lots of people' to concentrate on their own horses and leave you in peace. IF you have a problem you can't handle, then a good Instructor is likely to be more help than interfering busy-bodies!
diggerbez
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Well i wasn't going to bother either but lots of people said i should!
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just do what you feel happy with...my baby horse was fine in side reins but he has a naturally very 'correct' outline and is VERY balanced for a baby so the sidereins helped to get him reaching into a contact. i used them before i actually began getting on him- to give him the sensation of someone/thing being at the end of the reins. he's lunged in them once or twice a week now- i find it really helps with my flatwork...but its horses for courses remember!
Well i wasn't going to bother either but lots of people said i should!
[/ QUOTE ]
just do what you feel happy with...my baby horse was fine in side reins but he has a naturally very 'correct' outline and is VERY balanced for a baby so the sidereins helped to get him reaching into a contact. i used them before i actually began getting on him- to give him the sensation of someone/thing being at the end of the reins. he's lunged in them once or twice a week now- i find it really helps with my flatwork...but its horses for courses remember!
rubyrumba
Well-Known Member
The 'lots of people' are people i work with are instructors, BHS I's! I am just in the middle of a debate between them! Why would you say not use them then JanetGeorge? Just interested to know your views. Very much appreciated. Thanks.
haras
Well-Known Member
My baby has just been professionally backed. Unfortunately I then broke my leg, so my mare is staying there for a lot longer than planned and is being ridden on by them. She went for backing in mid may and only last week had side reins introduced, 4 months later.
cundlegreen
Well-Known Member
Like Janetgeorge, I never do, I've seen so many horses of all ages lungeing in a small circle with their heads in their chests and the hindquarters trailing. I do all my mouthing on longreins done in the danish method. With a young horse, its SO important that they go forward first, everything else comes from that. For that reason, I don't do a lot of lungeing with a baby, as they can arse about and twist their joints.
Tinypony
Well-Known Member
Never.
siennamum
Well-Known Member
I would never use side reins when backing. To get the horse accepting the bit and working with a light contact I use long reins.
I worry that there's a risk of horse panicking in them and being seriously set back.
I actually really like side reins with older more established horses and use them reasonably often if I'm lunging, but never have with really green ones. I also never have or would (I don't think) use a straw doll thing, don't get them at all...
I worry that there's a risk of horse panicking in them and being seriously set back.
I actually really like side reins with older more established horses and use them reasonably often if I'm lunging, but never have with really green ones. I also never have or would (I don't think) use a straw doll thing, don't get them at all...