Would you use side reins etc/

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noodle_

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Its taken me around 8 months to find the bottle to attach side reins to donks... i just hate anything false - however she really did need them make her work properly (baby)

I have been told to use a pessoa? and a bungie? (not at the same time like!) (foreign language to me!)....However something is really putting me off.... and i dont know what??

dont get me wrong - i'm not stupid and with anything new i ask to be shown how to use anything by my trainer - but i (for some reason) wont use them..

Its possible to achieve the same results without the need for these training aids??? (albeit taking a lot longer) or man up and invest in some training aids....?

discuss.
 
I use a bungie on my youngster, i lunge him in it and also ride. It encourages him to use himself correctly and allows muscles to develop without restricting him and forcing him in an outline. Many people have lots of different ideas about training aids if used correctly they are a helping hand. I use a pessoa on my other horse as he is older as i dont think the young boy could handle it yet..but we'll get there! I use the John Whittaker bungie its about £10 so cheap as chips and very easy to use and fit. You can always attach it to the side of a roller if lunging too so it works like side reins. I would say try it and see how you find it, but for me its been great!
Good luck!
 
Well I have started to reschool my ex-racehorse without any gadgets whatsoever. I have a bridle, a saddle and a lunge line.....I'll let you know how I get on (although she hasn't been completely sound for a while, so I have that to contend with as well!)
I reschooled my other ex-racer with no gadgets, but he has always been an easy horse. The newer one is quite stressy and unco-ordinated, but I'm not in a rush with her, I have all the time in the world so I am going to take it slowly and hopefully without any gadgets. Wish me luck!!
 
I use side reins because I was advised to by my vet to build up my boys sacroiliac muscles after injury.
they are loose so not forcing him into an outline but have made a difference.
I've found that if he knows they're on, he works a lot better. its the same with draw reins - I don't have to pick them up.
 
intresting replies!

I had used draw reins on my firs horse - (i was a teenager) and got left to it - (horse was crackers anyhow)

so i think part of me is thinking i dont want to force her into anything as she does work nicely - it may take longer than normal without training aids but im not sure.......

i will use side reins... as tbh she does work better in them admitdly....but thats about it....... lol.
 
Started my baby off this year and introduced side reins when he was happy with the lunging. I never put them on straight away and find that he tells me when he is happy for them to be on. He usually tries to seek a contact so that is when they go on and they get shortened up gradually. Don't know how you can work a horse correctly without them TBH as you need something there surely to create a contact which is what the horse will eventually need during ridden work? My baby works well in the side reins and works his behind a lot better once they are on. Have never used any other gadget for lunging and wouldn't unless it became absolutely necessary and then reluctantly.
 
I'd go for a bungee aswell. They are very non-restrictive and gently guide the horse into lowering and collecting itself. I both ride and lunge in them. I woudln't use draw reins on your horse as it sounds as though they don't really have much of a clue as to what they are being asked to do yet. Draw reins are more for help with improving the working ability not for creating the outline to start with.

The only time I use side reins in on my lead rein pony as he has a tendency to ignore little kids and trundle along with his nose poked out into orbit! I get on the little toad and I have a perfectly forward going, well schooled pony - shetlands! Who'd 'ave 'em?!? Lol!
 
Side reins are the ideal piece of equipment to introduce contact to a young horses mouth. Because they are constant the horse develops confidence in the contact.

Fit them so that the horse has to reach for the contact - when driven from behind the horse stretches the top line to reach the bit.
 
thanks all :)

yeah im capable of using side reins and use them correctly.... but using other things - pessoa - bungie etc im a bit :/

but i will listen to advice as to whats best for my horse :)
 
i personally hate gadgets for gadgets sake - was trained to school a horse without - why take short cuts! schooling with out gadgets allows them to mature mentally and physcally - i am preparing self to be jumped on i know but i believe we are often asking to much from our youngsters - gadgets to get a youngster/unschooled horse to work in outline ? surely good old fashioned schooling achieves that whilst allowing thier bodies to strengthen and muscle up as well ? prepares for the onslaught pmsl :)
 
babymare said:
i personally hate gadgets for gadgets sake - was trained to school a horse without - why take short cuts! schooling with out gadgets allows them to mature mentally and physcally - i am preparing self to be jumped on i know but i believe we are often asking to much from our youngsters - gadgets to get a youngster/unschooled horse to work in outline ? surely good old fashioned schooling achieves that whilst allowing thier bodies to strengthen and muscle up as well ? prepares for the onslaught pmsl :)
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no tbh i agree.

sometimes they need them (sidereins) but other times id rather go the longer way round. :)
 
babymare said:
i personally hate gadgets for gadgets sake - was trained to school a horse without - why take short cuts! schooling with out gadgets allows them to mature mentally and physcally - i am preparing self to be jumped on i know but i believe we are often asking to much from our youngsters - gadgets to get a youngster/unschooled horse to work in outline ? surely good old fashioned schooling achieves that whilst allowing thier bodies to strengthen and muscle up as well ? prepares for the onslaught pmsl :)
Click to expand...

Totally agree with you - All I was ever taught to use was side reins. I've also used a chambon. I take my time to get the horse prepared on the ground first - even if broken already - if there are problems I go back to the basics. It's amazing the number of horses that actually don't know how to be lunged - they'll trot around in a sort of circle but don't take the contact/bend/work from behind.

When ground problems have been resolved then I move on to the ridden schooling. In the meantime many problems have gone because the horse now has muscles to carry the rider with more comfort, has developed suppleness and balance which makes all his ridden work easier..

I also think many people ask too much of their young horses both mentally and physically - there are 4yr old series here in NZ for show jumping. Mines 4 - rising 5 and only just being broken in now. I hope he will still be going strong in his late teens. A friend allowed her horse to jump in the 5yr old series it's now in the paddock with stuffed hocks.
 
Must admit - have all the aids you mention and have used them where necessary (not necessarily all on the same horse). The art is to use them correctly and gently until the horse understands and NOT TO USE THEM ALL THE TIME or as punishment.

A lot of people start using aids and then forget they are "aids" to achieve certain movements/disciplines and not something that you constantly use purely because you can't be bothered to work at making your horse understand.

Like all aids - some horses take a couple of times of use before they understand and respond and others may totally hate the aid you are using - therefore find another aid of method

Good luck and I hope things improve for you - just be patient
 
noodle_ said:
Its taken me around 8 months to find the bottle to attach side reins to donks... i just hate anything false - however she really did need them make her work properly (baby)

I have been told to use a pessoa? and a bungie? (not at the same time like!) (foreign language to me!)....However something is really putting me off.... and i dont know what??

dont get me wrong - i'm not stupid and with anything new i ask to be shown how to use anything by my trainer - but i (for some reason) wont use them..

Its possible to achieve the same results without the need for these training aids??? (albeit taking a lot longer) or man up and invest in some training aids....?

discuss.
Click to expand...

Are you talking about ridden or lungeing? I would only ever use side reins for lungeing, never ridden. But before using them, I would lunge in a de gouge or a pessoa to help build up the top line. As regards ridden work, then you should never need touse artificial aids. I especially dislike draw reins as they can do untold damage in the wrong hands. In the right hands they shouldn't be needed! :)
 
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