What are your thoughts about children riding a horse off the lunge in side reins? An instructor where I board is giving a dressage lesson to a 10ish year old kid…mostly hugging the rail the whole time but with side reins attached. I feel like it’s a huge safety risk not only for the child, but for those of us having to share a packed covered arena this summer.
I was told by a FEI judge, that this is common practice in Europe (or maybe it was the UK?) when teaching kids to ride. She felt it really helped the kids learn to ride a balanced horse and use their legs, while being better for the horse/pony.
I am not sure how it is a safety risk.
2 Likes
An adult at our barn rigged up his horse to ride with sidereins. He made about half a lap of the arena when the horse turned to bite at a fly and hooked head/draw reins around the rider’s foot in the stirrup and nearly flipped over sideways. I was nearby and had just dismounted. My guy does (sorta) ground tie, so I dropped the reins and managed to grab the sidereins and pull them out and down before the horse totally flipped out. Rider then dismounted and removed the sidereins. Maybe less of a risk with a child’s shorter legs, but…
1 Like
It’s super common in Europe. You can see an example of it here in the Reiterreview video of the PM Schulpferde Cup held at Equitana this year.
1 Like
They actually show in the side reins as well.
[QUOTE=JLR1;8183950]
I feel like it’s a huge safety risk not only for the child, but for those of us having to share a packed covered arena this summer.[/QUOTE]
Why? Because of steer-ability? The side reins shouldn’t be that tight. However, if that is the issue, and the pony needs a “grazing rein” then perhaps an over-check would be a safer option because that does not interfere with steering.
very common in Europe. TBH, don’t think it’s a big deal.
It is done in good lesson programs to teach children to ride without learning or developing the mistake of relying on their hands or the horse’s mouth to balance themselves. Excellent learning tool to teach beginner riders to develop a feel for an independent seat. Saves the horse a lot of mouth bumping.
It is also a great tool for teaching a horse to understand contact.
1 Like
If it is commonplace in Europe and the horses and ponies understand it, I can see what it would not be a big deal there.
I don’t think it would be a good idea in a program here where the horses aren’t used to being ridden that way.
1 Like
[QUOTE=SmartAlex;8184217]
Why? Because of steer-ability? The side reins shouldn’t be that tight. However, if that is the issue, and the pony needs a “grazing rein” then perhaps an over-check would be a safer option because that does not interfere with steering.[/QUOTE]
Actually, I have always been told that it is dangerous to ride with side reins on when not on a lunge line, particularly in the event the horse stumbles. The side reins are properly adjusted and I don’t think the kid has steering abilities anyway since they only ride along the rail. I’m glad to know it’s common…I have never seen it done that way before.
when I lived and boarded in Germany, most of the school lessons did this. 4-6 beginners, hugging the rail or doing circles, w/t/c, all in side reins or vienna side reins. The intro classes at horse shows allowed them as well. It was strange to see, but I never saw any accidents associated with their use.
2 Likes
[QUOTE=CHT;8184012]
I was told by a FEI judge, that this is common practice in Europe (or maybe it was the UK?) when teaching kids to ride. She felt it really helped the kids learn to ride a balanced horse and use their legs, while being better for the horse/pony.
I am not sure how it is a safety risk.[/QUOTE]
Not the UK.
2 Likes
I have just started this in lessons but am lunging. I saw a great pair of side reins for sale in the UK that were basically brown bungees with clips on both ends. Not tight but very elastic and forgiving. It was an old ebay ad and I can’t find them now so we do the elastic donut thing.
[QUOTE=CindyCRNA;8185298]
I have just started this in lessons but am lunging. I saw a great pair of side reins for sale in the UK that were basically brown bungees with clips on both ends. Not tight but very elastic and forgiving. It was an old ebay ad and I can’t find them now so we do the elastic donut thing.[/QUOTE]
My trainer had a pair that were like that–completely elastic bungee cord type things–I think she actually made hers, but I loved them–with a surcingle they were so adjustable and you could shorten and lengthen them depending on your goal/how the horse was that day…
If any of you read Alois Podjhasky (spelling?) book, the Spanish Riding school advocate the use of side reins for novice riders.
I see many ponies here in NZ ridden with side reins prior to going in the show ring. If the horse/pony works well in them on the lunge they will be fine being ridden off the lunge.
My trainer had a student that went to a local German trainer who put her in that situation - she ended up with a broken neck.
So no - I wouldn’t have a rider up with side reins on.
2 Likes
I would only do this if they were breakaway side reins so they would come apart if the horse tripped or freaked out. My opinion is getting a horse on the bit would be important for kids to learn, not rely on the reins to get the horse connected.
1 Like
It is common practice in EU, it is recommended by the SRS and there is no danger if your horse is accustomed to side reins on the lunge. I do it with my beginners sometimes (depends on the rider and on the horse) for the reasons stated above and also to cut the poor school horse some slack. There is nothing more saintly than a tolerant school master, but nothing so horrid as a beginner with no balance using the reins for balance. I have run across many people who claim it is dangerous. Why? If the horse stumbles or balks? What if he stumbles or balks without side reins? There’s inherent danger in every riding situation. If the horse is used to working in that tack, then there are no issues. If a horse is likely to stumble or panic and flip over at such small provocation, then I submit that the horse in question is not school horse material. I’ve been doing this for over 30 years and have never once had an issue.
5 Likes
[QUOTE=SendenHorse;8185769]
I would only do this if they were breakaway side reins so they would come apart if the horse tripped or freaked out. My opinion is getting a horse on the bit would be important for kids to learn, not rely on the reins to get the horse connected.[/QUOTE]
Panic snap on the bit end! Just thought of that. Panic snap on a bungee. Humm…
1 Like
[QUOTE=JLR1;8184245]
Actually, I have always been told that it is dangerous to ride with side reins on when not on a lunge line, particularly in the event the horse stumbles. [/QUOTE]
Something to ask yourself: what is it about adding a lunge line that makes the situation actively safer in your mind? (I can even make the case that constantly on a circle, the horse is more likely to trip.)
I used to be a purist about such things, but having seen them used effectively for many years, I’ve changed my mind to being comfortable with anything that helps the horse be comfortable, consistent, and reliable is good for both horse and rider. Thoughtful use and adjustment is key.
1 Like
Very common in Europe. Definitely a bit more risk in case of an accident, but also some clear benefits.
It takes riders years (especially those who ride less frequently) to have the skill and muscle control to begin thinking about influencing the horse properly while riding. First you must learn to stay on, then you must learn proper position and develop muscle strength and muscle memory, then you must learn how to ride passively - without giving unintentional aids. Then you can learn to give intentional aids to influence the horse’s way of going.
During that process, the schoolies go around as they see fit - hollow in the back, etc. That not only takes a toll on the horse’s body and keeps him from being as well muscled as he could be (and possibly staying sound as long as he could), but it makes the rider’s job harder since the horse doesn’t give the rider a place to learn how to sit on.
So, side reins (on a horse that is well trained to go in them) can help preserve the horse’s body and soundness, while making the rider’s early jobs a little bit easier. It doesn’t mean that they won’t come off when the rider is ready to learn how to influence the horse’s way of going.
4 Likes
