|
Once the horse is tracking up (hind feet following in the hoof prints of the front) and starting to reach over his back and out and down through his neck we can consider attaching side reins.
Which type of side rein to use?
a) Made only of leather or webbing with no rubber of elastic insert
b) Made of leather or webbing with an elasticated insert
c) Made of leather or webbing with a rubber donut (ring) insert halfway along
My preferred choice is for the plain leather with no elastic or donuts for the horses to bounce around with or lean into. With the plain reins, if the horse attempts to lean they give as soon as the horse gives. Because the elasticated / rubber ring type stretch, they continue to exert a momentary backward pull after the horse has yielded.
What is the correct length for the side reins?
The answer is to ask the horse. I see side reins as an addition to a more educated horse's training not as a means of teaching an outline or head set. Their purpose is to teach the horse to come out and meet the contact without fear, to trust the rein in the same way that they will trust the rider’s hand.
A rule of thumb method for finding the length is to stand in front of the horse (and you may need a helper the first time you do this) facing his head. Adjust him so that his head and neck are coming straight out of his shoulders (i.e. no looking to left or right). Although it is considered correct to fasten the outside rein before the inside one (as when a rider picks up the outside rein contact before the inside when riding), it is best to make sure that both side reins are adjusted before attaching them to the cavesson or bit so that the horse doesn’t have to wait with a lop-sided contact while you fiddle around sorting the other one out.
When adjusting the length or leading the horse with the reins unclipped make sure that they do not dangle freely. They can get tangled around the horses legs or worse stepped on. When not in use clip them to the rings on the surcingle or dees on the front of the saddle.
Ideally, they should be adjusted throughout the session, too, lengthening for canter and any prolonged or early walk work. I believe they are best suited to work in trot where the horse requires less movement in the neck to balance himself.
|
