At 15:12:48 on 20.05.11, Dazzle wrote:
Having a clear out of my tackroom, thank you NHM and Angelain. I found some old draw reins, well chewed so I think I may have used them as a dog lead at one point. So confess, do you or have you used draw reins, did or do you find them helpful for a particular problem? The confessional is now open! Hahahahaha.

At 19:15:34 on 20.05.11, NMH wrote:
Yes, ages ago- my first horse had a naturally 'upside-down' neck & I thought in my ignorance draw reins could be the answer. They weren't!! no surprise there! Back to the drawing board & experienced help! Lots of correct work & lessons helped him in time build up in the right places & overcome his conformational deficiencies (though he could always go above the bit for England when doing something exciting!) Although they say 'never say never' I'd like to think I'd not touch them again!

At 18:37:23 on 22.05.11, Angelalain wrote:
I did use draw reins on my old horse many years back, but even then I used to leave them knotted on his neck most of the time. I tried picking them up when he poked his nose and dropping them when he 'gave' to me. I soon stopped, to much clobber on the horse, it actually gave him the idea of where I wanted his head so It helped, but I don't think I'd bother again.I never really 'rode' on them. I now don't possess any, no idea what happened to the one's I had! (Over 20 years ago!!!)

At 11:24:34 on 25.05.11, Flicka wrote:
I agree with NMH never say never lol. I have used draw reins in the past and they didn't improve my pulling horse at all-in fact probably made her worse. Personally I think the long route is better, and in may case I did need to learn to improve my riding, especially my hands, and my particularly difficult mare wasn't going to let me take any short cuts-drat and double drat. Anyway my trainer would probably string me up if she caught me using them! However some top riders do use them to good effect in training I'm sure, but it's usually because they want quick results and hopefully are quick to give with the hand. Like a lot of things they're only really bad if in the wrong hands, abused and overused!

At 12:37:26 on 25.05.11, Hayleyt78 wrote:
Oh dear, I have to confess that I have schooled in draw reins the last week as I have a very green mare who drags me around and will not accept a contact. She was awful in the draw reins the first time and now she is a total pleasure, working long and low and supple through her back on a very light contact. They have stopped her from rushing around and she is actually listening to what is asked rather than more worrying about shacking her head around and very ignorantly karting off with me. I think as Flicka suggests that if not overused or abused then a great training aid. I wont be throwing mine away for a while :)

At 10:39:33 on 26.05.11, kibby wrote:
Yup. On an ex race horse who had no intention of bringing his head down. I asked without them for some time but horse was confused about what I was asking and started to get frustrated. Put them on so he knew what I was asking for. Then dropped them once he lowered his head and didn't need them for the rest of the ride. Only use them a couple of times on him. Worked well for my case I thought.

At 10:40:36 on 26.05.11, kibby wrote:
That was the horse was getting frustrated. Not me. Thought I better clarify that. Lol

At 12:11:02 on 14.11.11, Stormin_ Norman wrote:
If you have a problem with your horse when you ride, surely it is better to sort it out from the ground with lungeing (not in draw reins, though) or in-hand work? A good rider needs no gadgets. if you need gadgets to control your horse, then take some lessons and learn to use your body and aids more effectively- surely a happier outcome for rider and horse? Horses develop a 'false bend' in the neck, behind the poll if ridden 'overbent', and the poll becomes very tense. The way to correct the horse's 'false outline' is to let him stretch down to the ground (not looking at the knees- this is not stretching- it is still over-bending!) Poles on the ground help the horse to stretch, as does lungeing in an old-fashoioned item called a Chambon, which was first used by the French military to train and strengthen the backs of their army horses. This can help if the horse has 'the wrong muscles'- thick under the neck, dipped by the withers, weak loins. The chambon encourages a 'natural stretch' as though the horse was looking for grass. have never seen a horse in a field looking at its knees!If the nose goes forwards and downwards, the back lifts, and the back end comes under. Simple!

At 12:13:38 on 14.11.11, Stormin_ Norman wrote:
Web link again!
http://www.clairelilley.com/hints/lungeing-with-the-chambon

At 13:50:59 on 14.11.11, syrah27 wrote:
My trainer is a big fan of helping reins to help with obtaining the connection. I use them on my horse a lot because he gets very heavy and he is also crooked and the helping reins are a tool I can use to get the connection without killing my arm. It gives me that little extra strength and also keeps me keep him straight. I know Conrad is a big fan of them that is how my trainer got the idea.