Side reins?

[alibi_18]

@Cat Tap

Back when I was working with a trainer she insisted I lunge with side reins, not the elastic kind. Of course I always started lunging without first.

I know a lot of you will say “get a trainer” but can’t afford it right now.

I want to add that without proper guidance I am afraid to use any other gadget e.g. chambon or vienna reins.

You see, back when you were working with a trainer, the trainer had a training plan. Lunging was part of it probably because of X, Y and Z and your horse fitted in that program to go from A to B and suit your goals. Like SuzieQNutter example : Ingrid Klimke has a plan.

It doesn’t mean this particular program would be valid today in your horse’s condition.

I know you say you aren’t able to afford lessons but maybe one or 2 lessons to be started back into the right track could really be beneficial for both of you.
If not, you are right NOT to use any tools you don’t understand, so my advice still stands for you not to use side reins.

Most importantly, ride your horse to the best of your abilities and have fun. Try not to fight and if you feel something isn’t right, just seek advices from professionals.

Have a great summer bringing back your pony to shape!!!

[Cat_Tap]

@merrygoround

It is a fairly basic art. With a little correct instruction, and the will to listen ad learn, using side reins and longing properly is doable.

However a half hour on the longe is too long on the longe, as it is an intense activity.

The half hour of work is 15 minutes on the lunge line that is with several changes of direction including going up and down the arena and 15 minutes of riding. On the cooler days I usually ride him longer. The riding time will increase with fitness.

[CanteringCarrot]

@JLR1

I really prefer long lining (double lunge lines) instead of side reins.

I think that long lining is SO underused. While I understand that side reins, chambons, and other training aids may have their place for some individuals/horses, I think that teaching your horse to long line is very valuable. You can also have an actual “feel” of the horse’s mouth while being able to see and guide their body from the ground.

Why don’t you (OP) continue with long lining after backing?

Some people pretty much stay in one spot while long lining, but I find myself using the whole arena more with long lines and generally going all over the place (not in a haphazard manner) instead of staying on a certain size circle the whole time. I find that long line work also improves/helps my under saddle work more so than lunging.

You can also long line over poles/cavaletti to encourage fitness.

[Cat_Tap]

CC I used long lining strictly to teach Whoa and steering before I got on. I did not stay on a circle but used the whole arena with changing direction and figures. I did some faster work on a circle otherwise I would get tired. It seems more work than riding them.

[CanteringCarrot]

@Cat Tap

CC I used long lining strictly to teach Whoa and steering before I got on. I did not stay on a circle but used the whole arena with changing direction and figures. I did some faster work on a circle otherwise I would get tired. It seems more work than riding them.

But that’s good! It can help you with your fitness as well as the horse. That is another reason why I like long lining

[visorvet]

Side reins are very useful tools for a variety of reasons as other posters have discussed. Your horse is not a youngster - it might be helpful to articulate in as much detail as possible your specific training objective with the lunge line and side reins. This is an exercise I use with myself when I seem to be at a training crossroad. You mentioned warming up, but of course this does not require a lunge line and doing it under saddle can really help to set the tone for a good training session. And if you lunge because you feel your nagging during the warmup undermines the session somehow, then tackle that in yourself rather than sidestep the issue with lunge work instead. Your horse already has 23.5 hours a day in which he is free of your nagging - you get to control this half-hour! The short version - if you don’t have a clear and strong vision of why you are doing something in training, then liberate yourself and don’t do it. Lean in and focus instead on solving problems you’ve identified, for example your nagging and his lack of work ethic/forward.

[Cat_Tap]

Unlike my TB who is naturally forward this horse is slow to warm up and get into gear. So I was trying to compare his work with my own training (weight training, pilates, PIYO etc. 6 classes a week besides my ballet and tap) always starting out slow and easy and then get into a serious workout, followed by stretching. So the purpose of my lunging is for a short, relaxing easy warm up before more serious work. My previous trainer felt the horse should be willing to go forward and work immediately. I ended up pushing, demanding, horse is cranky, I get cranky etc.

That is why I said in my original post that I am re-thinking my training methods.

[CFFarm]

Go with your gut. Some horses need more warm up time and rushing only frustrates both of you.

Even if you horse is not young an occasional session longeing with side reins will help him use the right muscles and let you watch him work.

[Cat_Tap]

CFF thank you, will do.

[CanteringCarrot]

Yes, I would go with what the horse is telling you in this case. If a long slow warm up produces his best work, then go with it. On my WB I could pretty much get crackin’ right after getting on him. Of course we “warm up” but he likes to get directly to work and his warm up is different from another horse I ride. The other horse needs about 20 min (he’s a little older) of walk on a loose rein before we get into actual work. These horses produce their best work this way, and if I were to swap the routines from one horse to another. it wouldn’t work.

[SuzieQNutter]

I also have a horse that Iam trying to get forward. I warm up without sidereins. Work with side reins. Stretch his off side leg forward as it is the one always back when he eats. Get on and warm up under saddle. Long and low walk and trot. Canter only straight and not in a circle. A couple of diagonals in trot and then pick up the reins to work.

[Crockpot]

Is it really beneficial to slap some side reins on to force a horse into a frame?

that is not how to properly use side reins.

[Cat_Tap]

I guess though I have been riding for many years, shown, schooled and backed some horses I have never learned how to properly use side reins. I will try many of the suggestions provided. I will try to find the correct length of the side reins so they will have an effect without force. Hopefully we will make some progress now that he is getting regular consistent work.

[ladyj79]

@JLR1

I really prefer long lining (double lunge lines) instead of side reins.

This.

I grew up using side reins. While I am perfectly comfortable with using them, I now firmly believe long lining is much more beneficial. If an employer asks me to lunge in side reins, I do, but not my own horses anymore.

[Dutchmare433]

@ladyj79

This.

I grew up using side reins. While I am perfectly comfortable with using them, I now firmly believe long lining is much more beneficial. If an employer asks me to lunge in side reins, I do, but not my own horses anymore.

Ditto this.

[Tigre_Horse]

@JLR1

I really prefer long lining (double lunge lines) instead of side reins.

I couldn’t agree more!

For my horse, long lining was much more beneficial.