regarding side reins

[Manni01]

@GPjumper

For my BTV mare (she’s coming 7), I took off everything touching the bit and added the equicore concept bands around her but and stomach. Really having to lift and be reminded to push under helped her learn her own balance. Since she could be fussy with the contact, I used a cavesson and left nothing on the bit so she could figure out her own balance. This stage really helped to unlock her shoulder. Once she was stronger, I added an elastic side reins to the outside only and attached the lunge line to the inside bit ring. This gave me the ability to use the line a bit like the inside rein. The side rein gave her the contact and she able to understand it’s supportive nature. This is how she lunges and is very happy. I tried to go back to two side reins but she became claustrophobic and started ducking BTV again. Since I can’t use the therapy bands at shows, I usually lunge with just a bridle and let her get her sillies out. The rest of the relaxation work is done under saddle. I love picking other’s brains about the topic because there are so many methods. While they might not work for the one I have now, it always wise to expand the tool box.

see, and I don’t believe in anything elastic… Nothing against you, but I would assume that you cannot go back to side reins because these elastic things are not a true connection or anything. IMO they only confuse the horse and make it fight this wobbly thing. In Germany for a while they were very much in fashion but I hated what I saw they were doing to the horses… This is just my personal opinion but something is still not right with your horse if you are dependent on these elastic things…

[Manni01]

@enjoytheride

I’m not going to watch the video again. I watched it twice and I formulated my own opinion about what the side reins were doing and I shared my opinion with you. As I stated, I would consider using side reins for a beginner rider based on the needs of the rider and the way of going of the horse and what needed to be achomplished. To simply slap them on every single horse is lazy.

who said slap them on very single horse???

[CanteringCarrot]

@Manni01

who said slap them on very single horse???

Nobody has to say it. A poster can express their opinion on a matter.

I can say, “to longe a horse everyday is lazy”

Who said to longe a horse everyday? No one. Just stating a thought related to the topic.

[SendenHorse]

@CanteringCarrot

Nobody has to say it. A poster can express their opinion on a matter.

I can say, “to longe a horse everyday is lazy”

Who said to longe a horse everyday? No one. Just stating a thought related to the topic.

… don’t have a discussion with Queen Manni, just agree with her no matter what. That is obviously how she wants it.

[AltersAreUs]

@SendenHorse

so you put a TB in the same exact program as a WB?

I put an arab in the same basic program as a number of WBs. Does that count? Turns out, basic training is basic training no matter what the breed. Sure, you adjust for personality and physical limitations but Ms. Mare learned to lunge and work in side reins months before I popped on her back … just like my WB did, just like my welsh did, just like my quarter horses did. Not really sure where you got this idea that WBs are a separate class of horse that needs/puts up with stuff other breeds won’t.

[GPjumper]

@Manni01

see, and I don’t believe in anything elastic… Nothing against you, but I would assume that you cannot go back to side reins because these elastic things are not a true connection or anything. IMO they only confuse the horse and make it fight this wobbly thing. In Germany for a while they were very much in fashion but I hated what I saw they were doing to the horses… This is just my personal opinion but something is still not right with your horse if you are dependent on these elastic things…

She has never been able to go in non elastic side reins. The people who started her even warned me that unless the contact can be leaned into gradually she will flip. My horse breaking her skull and killing herself is not worth the risk for me.

As an aside, I also believe in the elastic or donut side reins because,while mounted, our arms/bodies should always be following with an elastic contact. I want lunging to mimic undersaddle as much as possible.