Running Reins/Draw Reins and other gadgets
I know I shouldn’t be surprised!
We need to be more horse-focused! Prioritising the horse’s welfare above our own goals and desires!
Last week I was out on two separate occasions at two different local arenas working with clients and their horses.
I know I’m naive thinking that riders don't use running reins/draw reins any more, however, I was a little shocked that in the space of one week, I saw 2 different riders using this piece of equipment, which if fitted or used incorrectly can be detrimental to the horse, as well as being completely unnecessary when a correct training programme is followed.
Sadly, what didn’t surprise me was that the horse being ridden on the flat using draw reins was on the forehand. The other horse was being jumped in draw reins, making it impossible for the horse to use its neck and back biomechanical correctly to get a good shape/bascule over the jump. This horse would have had to come up with a compensatory pattern to help it get over the jumps, needless to say, the horse started taking rails.
I’m doubtful that for either of these horses, the purpose of why these riders were using running reins/draw reins was actually being achieved.
Professional Body Workers and Coaches if you are advising your clients to use running reins, if you have the horse’s best interest at heart, it would be time well spent making sure that your client knows how to fit and ride their horse in running reins or any other gadget you are asking them to use.
Ensure that your client has a good understanding of the purpose and desired outcome of using the running reins. Make sure they know what they are aiming to achieve. Assist them in recognising whether or not they are using the gadget correctly.
It would be hugely beneficial, not only for your client but definitely for the welfare of the horse if you were to watch your clients ride using these gadgets to make sure they completely understand how and when to use them. How often to use the gadget and for how long?
If your client doesn’t think they are using the gadget correctly, ask them to send you a video giving you the opportunity to advise them. Horses are excellent at creating compensatory movement patterns to avoid discomfort, your client could unintentionally be creating the next problem!
Riders, if your body worker or your coach recommends you use running reins or another gadget on your horse, make sure you fully understand how to use them and why.
Ensure for the welfare of your horse and longevity of your horse that you know what to look for when you are using them correctly and what to be aware of if you aren’t. How long should you use them for, and how do you help your horse adjust to this gadget, if you don’t your next problem is on the horizon, horses are extremely brilliant at developing compensatory movement patterns to avoid discomfort. Do your own research! You will be the one with the unsound horse if something goes wrong.
There are no quick fixes! The research is out there! Gadgets are not the answer. Horses are not designed to be ridden it is our responsibility to ensure that we have strengthened and prepared them correctly to carry a rider. To carry a rider your horse needs to learn how to engage its thoracic sling of muscles and engage it’s core and hind quarters.
If you are using running reins for control or to teach the horse to give to rein pressure or give the horse an idea about how they should feel contact and suppleness this is probably not addressing the underlying reason, there is a gap in the horse’s foundation training which needs to be resolved, possibly an unravelling of an old pattern and a building up of a new pattern. In the long term, this will have huge benefits for your horse.
The above is only skimming the surface of a much deeper conversation. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve used gadgets in the past thinking it would help me achieve a desired outcome/outline of my horses but that was at least 15 years ago. As a continuous student of the horse and always trying to improve my understanding of how horses move and think, I know differently now and therefore train and ride differently. Whilst the above is just my opinion it is supported by research, my own personal experience and observations as a rider and coach with more than 30 years of experience.
If you’ve found value in my rambling today, feel free to leave me a message and maybe contribute to my next coffee.
Sue and Dale from DL Equine get together for a chat about Sue’s training, coaching and horsemanship methodology
Finding your tribe!
It isn’t always easy to find the perfect place to keep your horse, being surrounded by supportive people who either share your thoughts on training, riding and horsemanship or at least allow you to have the space to navigate your horse ownership journey.
Everyone has an opinion, making it tricky to filter through the information to find what is relevant and will work best for you and your horse.
I often wish I could have a huge barn and farm then all my clients could bring their horses to stay!
Currently, I have two wonderful clients that agist/stable/graze their horses at my property in Norwest Auckland, New Zealand. Both of them came to be here for different reasons.
Because each horse is different we change and tweak their living environments, feed and management to ensure that they are kept in a way that will benefit them the most long term. A couple of the horses require restricted access to grass, they are kept on a simple version of a track system.
One of the clients brought her horse to mine when she first purchased him. The intention was to support her through the transitional phase of the new partnership.
Buying a new horse can be an overwhelming experience in itself, let alone when you get your new horse home! I’m grateful that she allowed me to be part of the purchase process. Whilst there were concerns around this horse he did tick loads of the boxes and the ones that he didn’t were trainable with time and patience. They are hopefully heading out to their first competition soon!
It is extremely rewarding for me to be part of all my client’s journeys with their horses! I love that they are all individuals and have similar but different needs.
In the webinar In the webinar I mentioned the Snowman exercise, it is a super, versatile exercise. Suitable for most levels of riding, it can also be done in-hand and poles could be added too!
If you would like to know more about how to ride the Snowman exercise and have additional support with your riding and horse training, I’m launching a monthly membership programme in the next couple of weeks.
Each month you will be emailed an exercise, with details on how the exercise can be utilised starting from a basic foundation level through to more advanced movements. It will also include additional info to improve rider and horse biomechanics!
Feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends who may find it useful.
If you have been forwarded this newsletter, click the “Original Post“ link below and enter your details at the bottom of the post to subscribe.
New Beginnings!
With the hope of starting the year as I mean to continue:
One step at a time, in the right direction.
Celebrating the small progressive steps.
And
Moving towards what I love!
Welcome to the first SPE newsletter!
I’ve been pondering or procrastinating, whichever way you want to see it, about doing a newsletter for ages, so I’m super happy to be sending this newsletter out!
2023 So Far :
Local in-person ridden lessons are back in full swing, along with in hand and float training sessions. When the weather permits of course, which can be a bit hit and miss at the moment in Auckland!
Looking ahead for 2023 :
I’m planning to get back out to travelling around NZ to do Rider and Horse Biomechanics clinics, let me know if you have any venues that you would be keen for me to come along to.
Based on the success of last year’s interactive demos and workshops, I will be adding them into the calendar along with some other themed workshops.
The famous monthly Pole Clinics will be back on the calendar this year. Will start them off at my arena in Woodhill, but will look at other venues going forward depending on demand.
I will also be hosting clinicians this year, as well as collaborating with other professionals, keep an eye out for dates and more information about who, what and when.
For those that need inspiration or a riding plan, keep an eye on your emails, I have some ideas in the pipeline.
Pennington Ponderings :
Today, now…if there was one action/behaviour/thought that you wanted to start or change,
it doesn’t have to be anything huge, just a small step that takes you closer to achieving your aspirations.
What would it be?
What do you think is holding you back from making this change?
Is the “thing” that is holding you back true or a previous belief or a not so useful story that you tell yourself?
Can you break it down into smaller chunks?
In the book the 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins one of the suggestions is to countdown from 5, when you get to 1 you stop what you are currently doing and move towards what you should or would like to be doing. I was amazed how well this worked.
Training Inspiration :
This exercise can be done in hand or ridden.
In walk, trot or canter.
With or without a pole.
In an arena or in the paddock.
Depending on the level of your horse or yourself, start in your comfort zone or your horse’s, keep it simple and then build up the complexity. When adding complexity it could be speed moving from walk to trot or to canter however it could be that you change the pattern that you are riding to add complexity, depending on the stage of you and your horse only change one thing at a time. If you lose quality then go back a step, slow down the speed (pace) or reduce the complexity, then try again.
Place the pole in the centre of your arena, in this example, 10m in from the side.
Pattern options :
Down the centre line ie. turn down the centre line off the left, then turn right at the other end or turn left again.
Loops
Change of rein across the diagonal
Combinations of the above
Flying changes, counter canter and lateral movements can also be added in.
If your horse has a loss of balance over the pole do a downward transition before the pole and then an upwards transition after the pole.
Quote :
One of the books that I am currently reading is Kate Sandel’s - Riding in Release : A practical guide to French Classical Equitation and Horsemanship.
Below is a quote from the book that resonated with me for different reasons and in different situations.
“You are responsible for yourself and your horse!”
This can be very pertinent when going to a different venue, clinic or lesson, a good idea is to have a mental checklist and a plan.
Is my horse in a space for learning?
Is my horse expressing his normal behaviour or is he or she anxious ? Normally stands to be groomed and tacked up - but not today. Normally stands at the mounting block - but not today. Normally is a relaxed horse - but today heading butting and trying to bite.
Am I in a good head space for absorbing the learnings?
Am I behaving as I normally do around my horse? Or am I feeling rushed and anxious?
Start with grounding yourself, take a moment to take stock of how you are feeling.
Start your horse with some ground work/in hand to help him or her ground themselves and become more present.
Accidents happen because we “push through” the warning signs!