Draw Reins vs. Side Reins?

Question

What exactly is the diffrence between the two? I don't mean looks I mean like what is the diffrence in there purpose, and use? I have used both on my horse when we were teaching him to get more round and collected. Are both used for the same reasons. I also HEARD that you were only supposed to use side reins while lounging, because they have a greater chance of rearing and fliping over. I ahve used side reins while riding and had no problem.

Anyways, my question is what is the diffrence in there purposes...if any. Also, which is better to use. Thanks

Answer 1

Right.   Side reins should only be used longeing.  You were fortunate to get away with riding in them.  How on earth did you steer?  Draw reins are used when riding, and are used to "convince " the horse to lower his head.  

I use side reins when longeing in order to teach the horse to carry himself in a more balanced frame, without the impediment of a rider's weight.  It's important that the energy comes from the hindquarters and moves upward, and that the horse doen't shift his weight down and forward onto the bit.  Well, that's more info than you asked for.

I do not use draw reins.  I have, but find them restrictive, and can better accomplish my goal without them.  The fewer training gadgets the better, in my opinion, which you did ask for.  Hope this helps.

Answer 2

DO NOT RIDE IN SIDE REINS! That is sooooo dangerous. Using both of those can cause a horse to flip over. The draw reins, side reins should not be used to "teach" your horse how to round and collect. They are used as aids, not an easy ticket on how to get your horses head down.

Answer 3

DO NOT ride in side reins, and definitely NOT draw reins!!! Draw reins are abusive and "break" the horses neck in the wrong place. 99.9999% of the time draw reins are used harmfully. Draw reins DO NOT help the horse become more collected!!! If anything they put him on the forehand. Side reins are used for lungeing and can be a very useful tool when starting young horses to help them understand and tolerate the rein connection.

Answer 4

You were far luckier than I was with my side reins about 30 years ago!  They are suppose to be used either in a round pen or lunging a horse.  They help set your horse's head to keep it level with the elastic working as a pair of hands that have some give to them but then force the horse's head back into the proper position.  The reason you don't ride with them is as follows.

Say you're using them in a warm up arena and you're at a posting trot of jog, and a pony trots by, wrings it tail and hits your horse square in the nose.  What your horse is going to do is the following:  Horse brings head up, hits the end of the side reins and brings head BACK into face of rider!  Yup, that's when I QUIT riding using side reins.

Draw reins on the other hand, draw a horse's head into it's chest, in order to get the horse to flex more and round off.  Only problem is if used too much you're going to have a horse who overflexes to avoid the bit.