Draw reins for horses: should you use them?

Draw reins for horses might be found in some tack rooms and detested in others. Draw reins often trigger heated debates amongst the equestrian community. Made of leather or a webbing material they are designed to go through the bit and to attach either to the girth between the horses front legs or to the girth straps on both sides of the saddle. When draw reins attach to the girth straps they are sometimes known as running reins.
The basic principle of draw reins for horses is that they feel pressure on the bit ring and this changes the contact andor the position of the horses head and neck. It takes a lot of skill and correct timing of the riders aids to show the horse that they can lower their head and draw their neck forward to meet the contact of the riders reins which are attached to the bit rings as normal. Its important that the use of draw reins does not become routine. In this article I will explain when you might use them the problems with their incorrect use and the responsibility we as riders have to consider carefully whether to use them.

inexperienced rider not to use them and I will explain why later on. Draw reins must always be used with a second pair of reins so you need to be skilled at riding with a pair of reins and able to soften the contact on the draw reins immediately as needed. You also need to be able to ride with an independent seat and to be able to ride effectively using your leg aids and receiving the contact as a twoway communication with your horse.
Draw reins are a training aid. They are a guiding rein that must only be used with a snaffle bit. When the rein comes into use it acts on the bars and the corners of the mouth applying pressure to the horses poll. The rider must keep the reins equal and not allow the reins to become twisted.
Remember that a horse must never be asked to carry their head behind the vertical. This false and dangerous practice is known as hyperflexionRolkur and causes pain tension and incorrect movement.
Draw reins for horses no pressure
Draw reins should mostly be inactive with the horse feeling no pressure from the reins when working correctly forwards and into a contact. A horse who understands the action of the