Jumping with draw reins

[Janet]

From a physics perspective- The issue with draw reins is that, in order to increase the effective length 1", you need to move your hand forward 2". If you are jumping, unless you have a BIG loop in the draw reins, you have to push your hands forward twice as far, and it is VERY easy to catch the horse in the mouth landing from a fence (when the horse raises up his head).

[Denali6298]

@findeight

Must be new to the sport…it’s nothing new to add them if high powered, over revved GP horse is known to get excited in the presentation or victory gallop. Or to just ride a different horse in the ceremony. Been seeing it occasionally since the early 70s, also seen what happens if they don’t put something on a known to be difficult horse in the presentation ceremony. Not ideal. but not a bad idea on some of those horses that jump giants for a living. Appreciated by other riders in the presentation ceremony not to mention those on the ground,

I have a friend who, when she was showing the big shows as a junior, got bucked off in the victory gallop. Her horse was a jumper. Draw reins after that. The horse didn’t need them for schooling and was very accomplished with her aboard. But yeah, she used draw reins.

[SuzieQNutter]

@trubandloki

I have never noticed a large quantity of horses at hunter shows falling to the ground because they are unable to lift their head if it stumbles or such.

Stumbling a horse normally puts its head down. Falling because tripped by a pole, puts a leg in a hole, etc is a different story.

[Janet]

The horse also puts its head up for balance when landing off a BIG jump. Look at the USEA logo for an example.

[SuzieQNutter]

From equine wellness magazine . com

Because of the way a horse’s eyes focus, he must raise or lower his head to adjust his focus on the jump. A very high head position or restriction of the head and neck can affect his ability to see the jump

[Denali6298]

So I was always taught a properly adjusted standing martingale would allow for full movement but prevent the horse from lifting its head so high as to evade the bit. So that wouldn’t effect jumping. Of it did, well not having one on would cause loss of control so you’re in trouble anyway.

[SuzieQNutter]

@Denali6298

So I was always taught a properly adjusted standing martingale would allow for full movement but prevent the horse from lifting its head so high as to evade the bit.

That sound like a properly fitted running martingale as well. The running martingale I guess in an accident when the riders hands go forward, or let go, the horse can do what it needs to save itself.

[trubandloki]

@SuzieQNutter

Stumbling a horse normally puts its head down. Falling because tripped by a pole, puts a leg in a hole, etc is a different story.

People hunt using standing martingales, like real hunting, not the show hunters.

@Denali6298

So I was always taught a properly adjusted standing martingale would allow for full movement but prevent the horse from lifting its head so high as to evade the bit.

Yes. But that logic is no fun when you (general) want to insist something you do not use is not OK for others to use.

For the record, I am not saying everyone should use a standing martingale (or draw reins or a running martingale or anything else). I am just disputing the ‘oh they are so not ok’ theory.

[Denali6298]

@SuzieQNutter

That sound like a properly fitted running martingale as well. The running martingale I guess in an accident when the riders hands go forward, or let go, the horse can do what it needs to save itself.

Both are used for different reasons. You can abuse a running martingale too and turn it into a tie down. Some horses react better to the resistance provided when it hits the nose band, others when it hits the bit. Both can cause harm when not used correctly. Just like draw reins, side reins, bits or whatever else we use on our horses. Demonize the lack of education not the equipment.

[ake987]

I saw a horrific rotational fall as a result of jumping in draw reins when I was a teen. Low jump, slow speed, didn’t matter. Horse overjumped and caught a leg and flipped on the rider. So avoidable, I don’t know why anyone would do it.

The adage I grew up with is “riders who are skilled enough to use them don’t need them”.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

I have a set of draw reins…we rarely use them…but they are a tool that can be useful and effective when used correctly. However, when I used to work for a top level jumper, we rode in them all the time. This was with very experienced riders. We attached them at the chest (not between the legs) and of course had a set of reins. They were NOT to get the horse’s head down but used as a more effective martingale. So they were only engaged if a horse flung his nose above his ears…and yes, we had a few that were feral like that no matter how well schooled on the flat. He liked use using them rather than a martingale as we could more fully release over the top of the fence but it gave us control when needed.

That said…most of the time they really shouldn’t be used…and I’ve spent more time having to try and correct bad habits and incorrect muscling in horses that were ridden in draw reins.

[findeight]

@ake987

I saw a horrific rotational fall as a result of jumping in draw reins when I was a teen. Low jump, slow speed, didn’t matter. Horse overjumped and caught a leg and flipped on the rider. So avoidable, I don’t know why anyone would do it.

The adage I grew up with is “riders who are skilled enough to use them don’t need them”.

See, that’s a great example of when they should NOT be used and a rider that should not use them. Low and slow is the worst possible way to misuse them. That’s on the rider not an improperly applied and misused tool typically chosen by experienced riders when they have too much instead of not enough.

I usually only used them if I thought I was going to get run off with, spooked off or bucked off. Self defense. If you work with enough horses, you’ll encounter some you need an anchor with.