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Post by rhillahorse on Jan 3, 2008 12:40:02 GMT 1
I would say they could make hacking on the roads very dangerous - if the horse slipped or tripped it wouldn't be able to use it's head to balance or it's nose as an extra leg. Unless the rider was very fast to release them.
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Post by tikkatonks on Jan 3, 2008 13:39:19 GMT 1
Like all training aids and bits they can be used badly or considerately. I dont like to see unmuscled horses hawled in on draw reins.
But-I often hack out in draw reins, not to haul my horse into a false outline because he goes very nicely in an outline without them- I use them as a back up so that I dont need my horse overbitted and permanently constrained. Drawreins can be useful if the horse may throw its head dangerously, pull the reins quickly through your hands or rear in certain circumstances (yes ideally you teach the horse not to do these things) but particularly on the road it can be necessary to use a quick fix to avoid being flattened.
The other advantage of draw reins over a standing martingale or running martingale is that a sensitive rider can use them just when necessary and completely release when not needed. So if your horse stumbles or slips they can quickly be released unlike a martingale.
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Post by Susan on Jan 3, 2008 13:59:16 GMT 1
I would say they could make hacking on the roads very dangerous - if the horse slipped or tripped it wouldn't be able to use it's head to balance or it's nose as an extra leg. Unless the rider was very fast to release them. I actually know of a girl many years ago who always rode out in them in fact always rode her horse in them! her instrautor told her to apparently. It was her brakes!!! but it slipped on the rode and could not get up! as she didnt let go..and the injuries were awful. Sorry hate them and as their are ways to ride and get this result of true outline and self carriage without this dreadful gadget I see no use IMHO. When we were at a equestrain centre with Mark Rashid clinic working all horses soft one arena and the staff and liveries riding next door often in draw reins, we were told it was becaus these horses were far to explosive to not be ridden in them! and we saw many jumped over very high fences as well! and lots had stiff backs and stiff actions and the tension down their necks was unreal. These were supposed to be experienced riders! I know what I would rather see
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Post by Susan on Jan 3, 2008 14:02:30 GMT 1
I also used to be liveried with a guy who rode out in them because he insisted it got his horse in an outline. !!! he would never listen this came from a horse working from behind and balanced. His horse also had serious back issues, it tripped, it slipped his hind legs as it could not pick them up correctly it actually shuffled behind. Its saddle always went over to one side so the gullet was across its back! and still he used these on his horse! His trainer said it was ok. So sad
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Post by misty on Jan 3, 2008 14:16:45 GMT 1
Most of the above just goes to prove that the gadget is only as good as the hands it is in. I'm with the others. You don't need to haul a horse into an otline while out hacking BUT they are there when needed. Get a bit worried when people are so anti because of one or two sets of circumstances they've seen. I've seen top class show jumpers jumping in draw reins at County shows, didn't like it one bit but it doesn't make me anti show jumping or anti draw reins.
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emi
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 3,237
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Post by emi on Jan 3, 2008 14:25:49 GMT 1
Obviously how bad they are will depend on who's using them and how but generally I think they are unnecessary. I've never used anything like that on Connor and he works very nicely. Yes it has taken a lot of training and time but it has paid off and he works properly - not just head down, but using back legs too. Draw reins are often used just to pull the head down - the rest is forgoton, the rider often becomes lazy and does not apply the aids needed to work the horse. Unfortunately, I have seen many people who consider themselves good riders and compete at a high standard using draw reins, not just once or twice a month but all the time even jumping in them! Better results can be acheived without thm, it just takes time.
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Post by Yann on Jan 3, 2008 14:26:58 GMT 1
Given the risk of injury to the horse I really can't see how or why you'd want to use them for hacking. What are they supposed to do?
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Post by janetgeorge on Jan 3, 2008 14:50:37 GMT 1
Given the risk of injury to the horse I really can't see how or why you'd want to use them for hacking. What are they supposed to do? With SOME rearers, draw reins used skilfully will stop them going up. You've got to be quick because the draw reins should be used ONLY when you need them - never as your main rein - and once the horse is vertical, forget it! I've rarely needed them - and certainly would NEVER use them to get a horse in a (false) outline - but I certainly wouldn't throw my set away, even though the last horse I used them on didn't need them in the last 8 years of his life and has been dead for 5 years!!
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nuala2
Elementary Poster
Posts: 69
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Post by nuala2 on Jan 3, 2008 16:06:26 GMT 1
Sorry but to those who say they use them as brakes etc. Maybe your draw reins are an awful lot longer than the pair I own but they were certainly never completely loose with the horses head free. They were always in action.
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Post by specialsparkle3 on Jan 3, 2008 16:13:26 GMT 1
Those of you who use draw reins regularly need to stand back at look at your horse's top line, and see them ridden by someone else without them. I can spot a show horse that is regularly worked in them a mile away, I call it "Draw rein neck" They should be banned in ANY hands.
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nuala2
Elementary Poster
Posts: 69
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Post by nuala2 on Jan 3, 2008 16:22:54 GMT 1
Agreed.
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