Yes? No? Sometimes? Always? Never?
I have used this photo of the horse being lunged in side-reins because I think it is a fair representation of what we generally see. Some will debate the reins longer/shorter, or higher/lower. Or debate which tack is being used etc. It really doesn’t matter. It’s not one of my horses or one I work with. Just a generic sample.
Of all the auxiliary aids available to riders/trainers side-reins are probably the least controversial of all. Mention draw reins and the dirt starts to fly in all directions. Similar with Chambon, ‘balancing reins’ etc. But side reins for lunging appears to be perfectly acceptable to most people. I assume that this is because this form of restraint has formed part almost every school of ‘classical’ riding across the globe for centuries. And of course God forbid anyone should ever question any ‘classical’ system. Until now….. Ha.
I purposely used the word ‘restraint’ in the paragraph above because the simple fact is; this is what side-reins are. Restraints. No matter how long or loose, (or short for that matter), side-reins are used to limit the movement of the head and neck. If they weren’t what would be the point of putting them on? Now this is where the truly ‘classical’ people get a bit irritated when you try to have this discussion with them. Most people will tell you that in principal they like to work their horses from back to front. But using side-reins is in total conflict with this system. By clipping on side-reins when the horse is STANDING STILL you are making the statement of starting with the head and neck and THEN asking him to move forward. Unless of course you are extremely agile and gifted and can actually clip side reins onto a trotting horse. That I would like to see.
At this point I usually get the side-rein using purists yelling and telling me that once the reins are clipped on they then gently and positively work the horse forward to the contact. (Frantically trying to justify their use of restraints before moving). I remind them that they have restrained the head and neck BEFORE moving so this is hardly working ‘from back to front’. I usually ask if when riding they would shorten the rein and create a form of restriction in front with the bit, at the halt and THEN move forward? Most purists are virtually offended by this thought. (But it’s ok to strap ‘em in side-reins because all the famous old guys did it). So the bottom line is, no disputing the facts, side-reins affect the front end of the horse BEFORE you move. (And no wise cracks from Trevor Ford please about the length of the grass etc. ! ;-)…..)
Question time;
• Do I hate side-reins? No, not at all. And I know a lot of people find them very useful.
• Do I think side-reins are cruel? Nope, people do FAR worse things that are more cruel than popping on some side reins on the lunge. Frankly the way some large bums bounce and crash about I think the horses under them would be glad to be put on the lunge, sans meaty posterior, and trot around with his nose tucked in.
• What about lunging the rider and the horse in side-reins? No problem with that at all. Because of the restriction the side-reins create most horses are respectful of them and will maintain a very steady ‘outline’ thus helping to create steady paces for the rider to sit to. Usually the hind legs are trailing out behind a bit, but generally you will get steady paces.
• What about using them to teach a novice horse to ‘accept a contact’. No problem with that. It will be especially helpful if you plan to ride the same horse with your hands locked into position and not move them. He’ll already know what that feels like.
• What about stretchy side-reins or ones with rubber rings built in? Er how far does the stretch allow? Enough for the horse to turn around and scratch his back with his teeth if he wanted to? If not then they are forming a restriction.
• Do I think lunging in side-reins before riding is beneficial? Actually most forms of well balanced lunging is beneficial for warm up. So 10 or 15 minutes in side-reins probably isn’t going to do any harm. And, it does get the blood flowing and the respitory rate up. Do I personally use them for warm up? Nope. Do I find lunging at all before riding beneficial? Absolutely.
• What about using them for a ‘cold backed’ horse before riding? Yes, simply for the reasons listed in the previous paragraph. It will help with circulation etc. But personally I've found the same results without side-reins.
• What about using them to relax and calm down an excitable horse, say at a competition? From what I generally see most horses end up appearing to be more or less relaxed and calmed down because they are knackered from running around the circle. So yes, they will be easier to ride.
• Any other benefits for lunging in side-reins? Yes, and I think the main one. Consistency. Horses love and thrive on routine and habit. It gives them confidence when they ‘know the job’. If you regularly clip on side-reins and lunge for a while your horse will soon figure out the routine and confidently settle into it. So if that works for you, go for it.
• So there you go. I think I have covered most questions before they are asked. Keep in mind this site is only my opinion and others will differ. Who is right and who is wrong? Who knows? As long as the welfare and well being of the horse is always kept in mind then I don’t believe anything can be really ‘wrong’.
• Last question; Do I personally believe and in use side-reins when lunging for the development of the horses balance and strength and top line connection? For those reasons, to me, side-reins are about as much use as Anne Frank’s drum kit. Just saying…..
Of all the auxiliary aids available to riders/trainers side-reins are probably the least controversial of all. Mention draw reins and the dirt starts to fly in all directions. Similar with Chambon, ‘balancing reins’ etc. But side reins for lunging appears to be perfectly acceptable to most people. I assume that this is because this form of restraint has formed part almost every school of ‘classical’ riding across the globe for centuries. And of course God forbid anyone should ever question any ‘classical’ system. Until now….. Ha.
I purposely used the word ‘restraint’ in the paragraph above because the simple fact is; this is what side-reins are. Restraints. No matter how long or loose, (or short for that matter), side-reins are used to limit the movement of the head and neck. If they weren’t what would be the point of putting them on? Now this is where the truly ‘classical’ people get a bit irritated when you try to have this discussion with them. Most people will tell you that in principal they like to work their horses from back to front. But using side-reins is in total conflict with this system. By clipping on side-reins when the horse is STANDING STILL you are making the statement of starting with the head and neck and THEN asking him to move forward. Unless of course you are extremely agile and gifted and can actually clip side reins onto a trotting horse. That I would like to see.
At this point I usually get the side-rein using purists yelling and telling me that once the reins are clipped on they then gently and positively work the horse forward to the contact. (Frantically trying to justify their use of restraints before moving). I remind them that they have restrained the head and neck BEFORE moving so this is hardly working ‘from back to front’. I usually ask if when riding they would shorten the rein and create a form of restriction in front with the bit, at the halt and THEN move forward? Most purists are virtually offended by this thought. (But it’s ok to strap ‘em in side-reins because all the famous old guys did it). So the bottom line is, no disputing the facts, side-reins affect the front end of the horse BEFORE you move. (And no wise cracks from Trevor Ford please about the length of the grass etc. ! ;-)…..)
Question time;
• Do I hate side-reins? No, not at all. And I know a lot of people find them very useful.
• Do I think side-reins are cruel? Nope, people do FAR worse things that are more cruel than popping on some side reins on the lunge. Frankly the way some large bums bounce and crash about I think the horses under them would be glad to be put on the lunge, sans meaty posterior, and trot around with his nose tucked in.
• What about lunging the rider and the horse in side-reins? No problem with that at all. Because of the restriction the side-reins create most horses are respectful of them and will maintain a very steady ‘outline’ thus helping to create steady paces for the rider to sit to. Usually the hind legs are trailing out behind a bit, but generally you will get steady paces.
• What about using them to teach a novice horse to ‘accept a contact’. No problem with that. It will be especially helpful if you plan to ride the same horse with your hands locked into position and not move them. He’ll already know what that feels like.
• What about stretchy side-reins or ones with rubber rings built in? Er how far does the stretch allow? Enough for the horse to turn around and scratch his back with his teeth if he wanted to? If not then they are forming a restriction.
• Do I think lunging in side-reins before riding is beneficial? Actually most forms of well balanced lunging is beneficial for warm up. So 10 or 15 minutes in side-reins probably isn’t going to do any harm. And, it does get the blood flowing and the respitory rate up. Do I personally use them for warm up? Nope. Do I find lunging at all before riding beneficial? Absolutely.
• What about using them for a ‘cold backed’ horse before riding? Yes, simply for the reasons listed in the previous paragraph. It will help with circulation etc. But personally I've found the same results without side-reins.
• What about using them to relax and calm down an excitable horse, say at a competition? From what I generally see most horses end up appearing to be more or less relaxed and calmed down because they are knackered from running around the circle. So yes, they will be easier to ride.
• Any other benefits for lunging in side-reins? Yes, and I think the main one. Consistency. Horses love and thrive on routine and habit. It gives them confidence when they ‘know the job’. If you regularly clip on side-reins and lunge for a while your horse will soon figure out the routine and confidently settle into it. So if that works for you, go for it.
• So there you go. I think I have covered most questions before they are asked. Keep in mind this site is only my opinion and others will differ. Who is right and who is wrong? Who knows? As long as the welfare and well being of the horse is always kept in mind then I don’t believe anything can be really ‘wrong’.
• Last question; Do I personally believe and in use side-reins when lunging for the development of the horses balance and strength and top line connection? For those reasons, to me, side-reins are about as much use as Anne Frank’s drum kit. Just saying…..
