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Supplementary Reins Other Than Draw Reins

Panel Expert: Bernie Traurig

Submitted by member: mkseverin

Hi Bernie,

I think I’ve seen a horse and rider schooling flatwork with an additional rein, or reins added, that went over the horse’s pole, down the sides of the bridle, through the rings of the bit, and to the rider’s hands. I think. Different from draw reins, they did not go beneath the horse’s head/neck. Wish I’d gotten a better view. What’s the purpose of that rein, and how does it differ from the purpose of “regular” draw reins?

Thanks! This is really bugging me.

Answer By Bernie

The purpose of that type of artificial aid is in a way like draw reins.  It enables the rider to obtain poll flexion, like a draw rein, but in this case also lowers the neck as it puts pressure on the poll as well.  Draw reins only pressure the mouth.

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Bernie Traurig

As a Horseman, Bernie is renowned for not only his riding talents but for his teaching and coaching gifts. As a competitor, Bernie has represented the United States Equestrian Team both at home and abroad on many occasions and reached the top of the sport in all 3 of the International Equestrian Olympic disciplines: Show Jumping, Dressage, and Eventing.After amassing 60 years worth of training and riding techniques and experiences with thousands of horses, Bernie is driven to give back to the sport that has given him so much fulfillment and success.

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This Post Has One Comment

  1. I have never been much in the way of draw reins, but I have used a chambon many times with excellent results. A rider can control the amount of pressure with the draw rein. The chambon is the best tool I have found to get a horse to “give” at the poll. They can stretch fully down and out and cannot evade by going behind the vertical as they can with side reins and other devices. Additionally, the horse does not fight the rider or the bit with this device, but rather themselves. They quickly learn that they are in conto of the amount t of pressure they receive because the device “gives” when they do. This speeds up the learning process because they receive and instant reward. This is a good link to help explain the different options and how they differ in effect.
    http://www.sustainabledressage.net/tack/gadgets.php

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