What Side Reins Are For
Used properly, side reins improve a horse's strength and balance.
Side Reins are used to strengthen and develop a horse's frame and topline. But too often riders just chase their horses around with the longe whip to “get the edge off”.
LONGEING WITH SIDE REINS BUILDS A STRONG TOPLINE
A horse's back needs to be strong in order to support the weight of a rider. If a horse hollows his back and arches his neck up high when a rider is on his back, his muscles will not be able to support the rider's weight.
So we need to teach a horse to raise his back, collect his haunches so his hind legs are more under his body, and lower his head so that his neck is not strained. A horse that is ridden in this frame will remain strong and supple for his entire life.
Side reins can be used to accomplish this. The picture above shows a horse properly fitted with side reins. The reins are clipped to the bit rings on the sides of the horse's mouth and are looped around the saddle girth and clipped or buckled to themselves, like a belt is buckled to itself. They should have some degree of "give" or elasticity to them because the horse needs to move his head as he walks and canters. (His head remains stable at trot.)
A horse's back needs to be strong in order to support the weight of a rider. If a horse hollows his back and arches his neck up high when a rider is on his back, his muscles will not be able to support the rider's weight.
So we need to teach a horse to raise his back, collect his haunches so his hind legs are more under his body, and lower his head so that his neck is not strained. A horse that is ridden in this frame will remain strong and supple for his entire life.
Side reins can be used to accomplish this. The picture above shows a horse properly fitted with side reins. The reins are clipped to the bit rings on the sides of the horse's mouth and are looped around the saddle girth and clipped or buckled to themselves, like a belt is buckled to itself. They should have some degree of "give" or elasticity to them because the horse needs to move his head as he walks and canters. (His head remains stable at trot.)
When positioned this way, the reins keep the horse's head down and make it easier for him to raise his back. A horse can be ridden this way (although not advised), but more typically the horse is worked on a longe line with the rider driving the horse forward into the bit to encourage him to activate his haunches to drive himself forward from behind rather than pulling himself around with his front legs.
Proper use of side reins can really help a horse develop the strong back, haunches, and neck that he needs to carry a rider's weight safely.
Never attach the reins to the girth by running them under the horse's chin and through his front legs. That is too severe.
As long as you’re here, check these out!
How to Make Longeing a Training Exercise
Equestrian Products That Will Make Your Riding and Horse Care Easier and Better!
How to Feel More Secure During Lunge Lessons
How to Feed And Exercise Your Horse for a Strong Topline
Engage Your Horse's Back To Develop His Topline
Happy riding!
Copyright Denise Cummins February 4, 2016; updated Jan 23, 2020; Updated June 20, 2024
The Thinking Equestrian
Proper use of side reins can really help a horse develop the strong back, haunches, and neck that he needs to carry a rider's weight safely.
Never attach the reins to the girth by running them under the horse's chin and through his front legs. That is too severe.
As long as you’re here, check these out!
How to Make Longeing a Training Exercise
Equestrian Products That Will Make Your Riding and Horse Care Easier and Better!
How to Feel More Secure During Lunge Lessons
How to Feed And Exercise Your Horse for a Strong Topline
Engage Your Horse's Back To Develop His Topline
Happy riding!
Copyright Denise Cummins February 4, 2016; updated Jan 23, 2020; Updated June 20, 2024
The Thinking Equestrian
