Elastic Training Reins

[storm]

I had a Dressage lesson last night and the instructor used these on the horse I was riding...the elastic passes through the bit and clips on to either the saddle D's or the girth!

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj273/Photostorm/Miscellaneous/TrainingReins.jpg

They really seemed to help him (he is inclined to throw his head up)!

Anyone else use them?

[bob1984]

Is it like a bungee??

[storm]

Yes..I think so Bob (although the instructor called it a rubber chambon) :nod:

I'm very wary to try out anything like that but it really made a difference.
It was on very lose and only came into effect when he chucked his head up!

[bob1984]

Oh cool, Ive never used one myself but I think its great to try things like that in lessons, at least that way you have someone experienced on the ground with you;

Hope the lesson went well!!!

[storm]

Exactly Bob...wouldn't have dreamt of trying one without supervision but this really seemed to help him. He picked up very quickly that if he stopped throwing his head about his job would be much easier!

I'm the worlds worst worrier when it comes to gadgets...didn't ride in spurs until I had an experienced pair of eyes on the ground to make sure I wasn't doing any damage :blushing:

[Karnon316]

it looks like a bungee .

I haven't used them but plenty of the younger horses on the yard have used them when lunging

[Ashlingm]

ive have one of those at home...and thought it was rubbish! jack hated it and although he worked alright in it , once you took it off he was back to normal. the draw reins worked better for me. at least with them its not constant pressure, and only came into force when he wasnt working properly.

i dunno,..i wasnt mad on them

[xxkarenxx]

I have used it to great effect on both of mine. I like the elasticity of it and they tend to not lean on it as much as say draw reins, or a leather chambon. It is very inexpensive too.

[whatpony]

Products that help a horse to move in arc form can be dodge. I can see the benefits of the chambon while lunging, it gets the horse to use its backend more and creates a stronger top line. But when riding with these elastic reins, its a different story..

The gear is costly and if your not sure how to use them, then you may be doing more harm then good. Then when you ride without the tack, the horse will know and return to hollowing their back.

The basic 'leg to hand' riding are the only true way of riding... old fashioned I know....

[storm]

I can see the benefits of the chambon while lunging, it gets the horse to use its backend more and creates a stronger top line. But when riding with these elastic reins, its a different story...

These 'elastic reins' are a very forgiving piece of equipment and in no way 'forced' the horse into any kind of shape. It was used full length and only came into effect when the horse threw up his head in an evasive movement.

As I have said, I would be very slow to use 'gadgets' on any horse but when this was advised by a very experienced and knowledgable instructor I had no issues with trying it. It had a very positive effect on him ‘encouraging’ him to work his back end correctly. He has a long way to go and things will be taken very slowly but if his owner (who was watching the lesson) and my instructor are happy with his progress then I am happy to go along with what they suggest :)


Then when you ride without the tack, the horse will know and return to hollowing their back.

Have to disagree with this remark...if they have learned to carry and support themselves properly with the help of such tack the should be able to carry themselves when it is eventually removed (if they are ridden correctly).

I think it benefits every horse to be taught to work properly, in a correct (not forced) outline.

[1whitesock]

Just to say Sid didn't like the bungee at all but he will work in draw reins - I used them for about two weeks after 9 months of trying to get him to 'come through' and stop flip-top-head - to be honest it was mainly for my benefit so I could feel what he should be doing (he was working really well for YO at the time & I just couldn't get it right with him)...it worked, whether it made me relax in my riding and so give better aids or whether he just accepted that I wasn't taking no for an answer I don't know but we haven't looked back.....

[harvey]

I have used one from time to time and think each situation needs to be assessed separately. I would question why the horse is throwing his head in the first place? If something has changed for him, ie, new rider/home, something physical fixed - teeth/back/injury, then perhaps this aid can help him restablish himself and learn to move past what made him throw his head in the first place. However, if there is no change to his circumstances and this is an effort to get him to stop throwing his head I would wonder why he should he decide to do so with the aid of bungee.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is I agree with artificial aids such as bungees to help a horse overcome an "issue" then when it is removed, he is ridden leg to hand, and the problem is solved. However, if he is ridden the way he always was - that brought him to the point of throwing his head - then why would he stop if nothing else changes. Does that make sense?

[EvojeepGal]

Used one myself on my young horse at the time which was very tempermental & had a habit of if not getting his own way he would rear, found this very helpful considering.
It stopped him throwing his head if he did go up and hitting me face on but also gave him the flexability, once this habit went i moved to draw reins, so much better.

Found the bungee the lazy way out of draw reins and you don't have a proper "feel" for the horse. Great for lunging also

[storm]

I have used one from time to time and think each situation needs to be assessed separately. I would question why the horse is throwing his head in the first place? If something has changed for him, ie, new rider/home, something physical fixed - teeth/back/injury, then perhaps this aid can help him restablish himself and learn to move past what made him throw his head in the first place. However, if there is no change to his circumstances and this is an effort to get him to stop throwing his head I would wonder why he should he decide to do so with the aid of bungee.

The horse in question has been on our yard since August last year.
Prior to that he was used mainly for hacking and XC. He is not 'carrying' himself at all and his back end is weaker than it should be...hence the schooling...we're trying to get him to 'use' himself correctly to strengthen and build muscle.

He is not consistently ridden in the bungee either. Tomorrow and Saturday it will be used after warm-up for 10 mins or so before being removed. :nod:


I suppose what I'm trying to say is I agree with artificial aids such as bungees to help a horse overcome an "issue" then when it is removed, he is ridden leg to hand, and the problem is solved. However, if he is ridden the way he always was - that brought him to the point of throwing his head - then why would he stop if nothing else changes. Does that make sense?

That make sense Harvey :nod: He is a very quick learner and I don't think he will need the help of the 'artificial aid' for very long. He has started to work properly with it which carries through when it is removed and ridden from 'leg to hand'.

[scootachick]

Do you think the throwing the head up is anything to do with headshaking? My fella will every now and then start throwing his head up and down when something triggers it but at other times is fine. He's a headshaker and I use a muzzle net to relieve it for him

[storm]

That's a great point scootachick but don't think it's the case here.

He throws up his head as an evasion to work...he 'can' work correctly (albeit for limited periods) without throwing his head around. I think this is all a new learning experience for him and anything that enables him to understand what's being asked is a help.

Thanks for your thought though...much appreciated :)

[1whitesock]

Sid throws his head in canter transitions still a little but usually only when he's not really forwards or coming trhough properly, at the start of a session - never by the end of a flatwork session as he's carrying himself properly by that (oh unless he's just plain having a strop obviously in which case he can do it at any given moment) - I reckon you are working in the right direction it won't take him long to 'get it'

[harvey]

That make sense Harvey :nod: He is a very quick learner and I don't think he will need the help of the 'artificial aid' for very long. He has started to work properly with it which carries through when it is removed and ridden from 'leg to hand'.

Yes, that's exactly what I was getting to. Teaching him he "can" go a certain way even though he doesn't believe he "can", so when you're asking him to go correctly he is also being shown how to do it. And brilliant to hear you're using it for only 10 mins and after the warm-up, so you're giving him every opportunity to understand what is being asked of him. My objection to artificial aids is when they are used instead of/or as a crutch to correct training, from what you say, you're using it as an extension of that training. Will be interested to hear how he progresses.