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Ems147
05 Nov 2009 21:12
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I see in this week's H&H that Ellen Whitaker rides her horses in a sort of bungee draw rein. Does anyone know what it is? What's it meant to do and how does it work?
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Horse Hero Guru
06 Nov 2009 22:11
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My eyesight isn’t what it used to be, but what makes you think that these are bungee draw reins? To me they look as though they are draw reins with an attachment to the girth to prevent rubbing, a smooth rope section to allow them to pass smoothly through the bit and a leather rein section to make them easier on the hand.
If there is a bungee insert then I imagine that the intention is that it would provide an element of give in the rein.
As I have said in other threads on here, I am not a fan of draw reins, considering that those people who are good enough riders to be able to use them properly are good enough riders not to need them. However Ellen Whitaker is a small rider riding big, strong fit horses and may find them necessary to provide an additional element of control.
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TinkerBell
15 Nov 2009 13:13
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Whitakers are great UK equestrian dinasty, so I understand reluctancy to question Ellen's usage of draw-reins. If we want to be consistent in the advise of not using them, then I think it could be more consistent to say that if Ellen can not control a horse without draw-reins, she should may be give it to someone more experienced (one of her uncles or her father) for more schooling first and start working with the horse again when she would not need the draw-reins. I think everyone knows that it is not the force which controls the horses.
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Diana
15 Nov 2009 17:31
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"I see in this week's H&H that Ellen Whitaker rides her horses in a sort of bungee draw rein. Does anyone know what it is? What's it meant to do and how does it work?"
I think Ellen is an excellent, well balanced rider. I was quite disappointed to see her horse with a type of draw rein on for the Horse and Hound feature.
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Diana
15 Nov 2009 17:32
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"Whitakers are great UK equestrian dinasty, so I understand reluctancy to question Ellen's usage of draw-reins. If we want to be consistent in the advise of not using them, then I think it could be more consistent to say that if Ellen can not control a horse without draw-reins, she should may be give it to someone more experienced (one of her uncles or her father) for more schooling first and start working with the horse again when she would not need the draw-reins. I think everyone knows that it is not the force which controls the horses. "
Excellent post Tinkerbell. I am very anti draw reins. Every horse can become soft and round, it just takes time and work- some more work than others.
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Diana
15 Nov 2009 19:35
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"My eyesight isn’t what it used to be, but what makes you think that these are bungee draw reins? To me they look as though they are draw reins with an attachment to the girth to prevent rubbing, a smooth rope section to allow them to pass smoothly through the bit and a leather rein section to make them easier on the hand.
If there is a bungee insert then I imagine that the intention is that it would provide an element of give in the rein.
As I have said in other threads on here, I am not a fan of draw reins, considering that those people who are good enough riders to be able to use them properly are good enough riders not to need them. However Ellen Whitaker is a small rider riding big, strong fit horses and may find them necessary to provide an additional element of control.
"
I know what you mean HH Guru, although Laura B doesn't use them and her horses are huge, strong and fit too.
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xelliex
29 Nov 2009 19:51
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The problem with draw reins is not the draw reins themselves, but the person using them. The same is true of almost any equipment, really. Double bridles, for instance, if not fitted or used correcly, used with a very tight curb chain or a lot of leverage on the curb rein produce a very harsh action. I don't think that anyone should be 'anti' draw reins, rather 'for' the promotion of knowledgable riding and an understanding of the reason a rider has chosen to use a particular piece of equipment.
I do, however, feel that many riders are influenced by fashion. I recently sold a pony which had always been ridden in a loose ring snaffle and a fairly loose noseband. On visiting the pony I saw that he had a dutch gag, tight flash noseband and martingale. When I asked why I was told that 'everyone at the Pony Club had them'.
It is mainly because they are used in the wrong hands that 'gadgets' and in particular, draw reins, receive such bad press.
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christina
29 Nov 2009 23:14
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I haven't seen the pic in H&H but I know several top jumpers including Billy Twomey are fans of jumping in what I would call a lunge-bungee. A strong piece of elastic that goes from the poll, either side of the head, through the bit rings & then to the saddle flaps or between the front legs. I was surprised that the horses were willing to jump in them but in the demo I watched with Billy, the horse was jumping big fences with it on.
Puts the whole rollkur debate in perspective when you see the kit on show jumpers in a warm-up ring!
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dressage111
01 Dec 2009 10:59
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I am with everone on the use of draw reins, but bungee is great for horses that have issues with contact. We use them particularly when mouthing and in the first few months of training and then with horses who have either learnt to lean or travel behind the bit. There is no escaping the elastic, but the pressure applied is very kind and very giving. Not sure about riding with one on though - isn't that what seat and legs are for??
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