Dressage rider, trainer and British Horse Society (BHS) Fellow Pammy Hutton’s recent exclusive H&H column, in which she asked “Should anyone ever use running reins?”, has prompted a wide range of responses, both online and via email.

Pammy clarified her opinion saying: “The simple response lies in the word ‘anyone’ – and the answer to that is no. The word ‘ever’ is where the conundrum starts…” She said she has used them “occasionally, when needed”, adding: “The art comes in learning the if, the how and the when.”

To continue the conversation, here are some of the responses we received at H&H this week. If you’d like to add your views, please email us at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name and address (only name and nearest town will be published), for consideration.

“Most BHS Fellows would not recommend them”

Pammy Hutton is widely acknowledged as one of our most esteemed BHS Fellows. Her extensive knowledge and experience within the equestrian community are unparalleled, and her regular column is always a pleasure to read.

Prior to the publication of her column last week, Pammy and I had a conversation regarding the contentious topic of running (draw) reins, prompted by a recent post she had shared on social media. During our discussion, we both concurred that the insights of Nuno Olivera, as expressed in his book From an Old Master Trainer to Young Trainers, provided valuable clarity on the appropriate, and more importantly, the inappropriate use of this training aid. Pammy also emphasised the importance of exercising great caution when employing running reins.

I am confident that your readers appreciate that the more than 50 BHS Fellows each hold unique opinions on the use of this particular rein. Most Fellows, myself included, would not recommend its use. Furthermore, running reins do not feature in the teaching or doctrines of the British Horse Society.

“To what purpose are you using them?”

Pammy Hutton’s column was refreshing to read. I have been lucky enough to visit her school, Talland, recently through an Emile Faurie Foundation auction schoolmaster prize via another special lady, dressage judge and trainer Maryanne Horn, who also featured recently in H&H. I can honestly says it’s a rare and special place.

By making such high quality schoolmasters accessible to amateurs, who often don’t have the funds to purchase such horses but who have no less passion to keep dreaming, it’s an establishment which keep those dreams alive.

I’ve never been somewhere that balances that fine line between horse training and welfare so well. There is a sugar cube box available on every side of the school, and the principal knows every one of her horses inside out (with eyes everywhere and on everyone!). She is as quick as lightning and tougher on the riders than the horses, and rightly so!

This is no dead-eyed riding school, but a place full of humble trainers and riders and willing horses who are correctly worked and well managed.

It’s never about whips, spurs or, as Pammy’s article bravely took on, running reins, but to what purpose are you using them, and who is on the end of them (or indeed teaching those on the end of them).

Experience, empathy and an understanding of when to add, but more importantly, release the pressure, both on horse and human is key.

Beyond that still, what I saw first hand at Talland, and what I think makes the biggest difference, is an undeniable love of the horse.

“Usually ‘good’ riders don’t need them”

I spent many years having training with three-time Olympian Johanna “Jook” Hall whose opinion of running reins was that there was a place for them in training, but only ‘good’ riders are capable of riding with running reins and usually ‘good’ riders didn’t need them!

What do you think? Email us at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name and address (name and nearest town will be published) for the chance to have your views published in a future issue of H&H magazine or online.

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Pammy Hutton FBHS asks “should anyone ever use running reins?” and shares her thoughts on judging inconsistencies

I’ve been warned never to discuss this taboo topic, but here goes… Should anyone ever use running reins?

The simple response lies in the word “anyone” – and the answer to that is no. The word “ever” is where the conundrum starts.

Do I ever? Yes, occasionally, when needed. The art comes in learning the if, the how and the when.

The running rein – which runs from the rider’s hand, through the bit ring and back to the girth – has a sliding effect, and if gently used, can teach the horse about a soft contact. It’s far better than pulling the head in.

The great classical trainer Nuno Oliveira advocated using what he also called “German reins” with “tact and delicacy”, briefly and not daily. The big mistake, he says, is forgetting to give with the hand once the horse is in the desired position.

Interestingly, he points out that ecuyers – or classical horsemen – traditionally used running reins attached to a cavesson rather than the bit.

And I love this Oliveira observation on running reins: “A knife in the hands of a gentleman can cut meat into very small pieces, but in the hands of a maniac, it can be dangerous.”

Another well-known but modern trainer refers to “assistance reins”, which sounds kinder. But there’s never an excuse to ignore the need for care, caution and remembering that all-important “give”.

FEI must get its house in order

“Brilliant… but a pity all the scores were not more level,” was all I could say to a disappointed advanced medium gold competitor at last month’s Winter Dressage Championships.

“You rode a blinder!” was what I wanted to say after watching their mistake-free test. The only consolation was that another competitor was judged first, second and 19th.

Soon after the winters, I treated myself to an Addington trip. Wow, what an encouraging grand prix and all classes were full at this popular venue. Nothing was too much trouble. My only niggle is that the surface is a tad hard. Apparently, it suits the showjumpers, but I was busy trying to keep my “jumper” in the ring!

The show was a great leveller for me as I was not good enough; there’s work to do to compete at this level again. Oh, the terrors of failing to achieve the exclusive 70% – yet most judges’ marks were on the money with helpful comments.

As someone who has regularly shuddered at mark discrepancies and favouritism, I totally understood all the points H&H dressage editor Oscar Williams raised in his article on the subject of artificial intelligence.

I’m also a little nervous that widespread use of AI analysis of every movement, although helpful, could terrify some into giving up.

Yet for now, the most urgent thing is for the FEI to get its house in order and make some clear decisions on issues that have been left hanging for far too long.

It needs to determine if we really like four-time canter pirouettes? What about the trot that is not in two-time? The walk that is not in an accurate four-time beat? Is it acceptable for the foreleg to be behind the vertical in piaffe? Does conformation of horse and rider matter?

Even if we went totally down the AI route, dressage will always be subjective.

I’ve always applauded high marks for ease and harmony, but surely measuring the extent to which a test looks easy and harmonious can only ever be a matter of the judge’s perception?

Opinion aside, some well-defined guidelines from the FEI down would go a long way towards removing arbitrary marks based on uncertainties and inconsistencies.

Equestrian answer to farmers’ choir?

The Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir nailed it on TV’s Britain’s Got Talent. It might have started to promote a certain beer, but it turns out that singing together is a wonderfully uniting force in an often lonely profession.

Now, which equestrians can sing? One slot on Britain’s Got Talent did more for farming’s image than any advertisement. Surely the horse world could pull off something similar… Any sponsors out there?

● Where do you stand on running reins – sometimes or never? Write to us at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your thoughts published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine

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Most riders who use auxiliary reins do so owing to others’ influence and their own lack of skill, research has found – and those who use them tend to have less knowledge of equine biomechanics than those who do not.

In a study published in ScienceDirect and presented at the International Society for Equitation Science conference (23–26 July), researchers investigated equestrians’ use of auxiliary reins, such as side- and draw reins. A survey, which had 570 responses, gathered data on demographics, behavioural factors relating to the use of auxiliary reins and riders’ biomechanical knowledge.

Among the results, 344 participants said they had used or would use auxiliary reins. When asked about knowledge level, 39% of total respondents felt they had moderate to good knowledge of equine biomechanics, but 280 participants, 81.4%, were unable to identify a balanced trot, from diagram sequences.

Lead author Mikaela Tapuska of the University of Edinburgh told H&H the aim of the study was to determine why equestrians used auxiliary reins, what keeps them reliant on the equipment, their perceptions about how the aids might influence horses’ movement and whether these perceptions were supported by evidence.

“We found that equestrians most often started to use auxiliary reins due to the social influence of others and their own lack of skill, either real or perceived,” she said.

Ms Tapuska added that most often, riders continue to use the auxiliary reins less because of others’ influence and more because it suits them, their horses and their ability and situation.

“Once human behaviours were established, perceived horse characteristics and lack of rider ability were the most prominent barriers to reduced auxiliary rein usage,” the study states. “Equestrians who presently used or would use [them] tended to have lower biomechanical knowledge scores than those who no longer used [them].”

Ms Tapuska said: “The perceived benefits of using auxiliary reins had become part of the solution to their riding-related challenges. But most equestrians did not demonstrate strong evidence-based knowledge of the possible effects of auxiliary reins on the horse’s movement.

“It was interesting how important auxiliary reins were suggested to be in making up for lack of skill – even when equestrians had likely gained more experience. We’ve often relied on educational interventions to improve horse welfare, which increase people’s knowledge. However in many of these cases the respondents indicated that they knew auxiliary reins weren’t an optimal approach, but used them anyway.”

Ms Tapuska said this work would be useful for coaches and trainers, who were found to hold “a huge influence” over students and clients.

“If we could get the governing bodies on board as well, that would really help influence change at every level of the sport, because changing behaviour in this sector relies very much on the social context,” she said.

“I hope this research inspires a conversation, or at least some reflection, regarding how we can do better in training upcoming equestrians.”

• Read the full paper

Prof Dr Inga Wolframm of the Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences, who supervised the work alongside Dr Victoria Lindsey-McGee from the University of Edinburgh, told H&H: “If we want to encourage meaningful change in the equestrian world we need to understand what drives people to do what they do.

“Interestingly, the vast majority of riders don’t start using auxiliary reins because they want to force the horse into a frame. More often, they believe they are not physically capable of achieving a training goal themselves, or they believe their horse isn’t.”

“Even though these two beliefs are closely linked, the distinction is important. The first is an internal barrier – a lack of perceived competence – the second is externalised onto the horse.”

Dr Wolframm added that although education is important, social context plays a “critical role” in equestrianism.

“The equestrian sector can sometimes feel fragmented, with different groups pointing fingers at each other. But ultimately, we all identify as horse people. If we want to move forward, we need to collectively embrace the principle of welfare; not just in words, but in deeds. And we need to create environments that support that principle,” she said.

“We need governing bodies to implement and enforce clear welfare standards. But informally, we need credible ambassadors at every level of the sport to model good practice. From elite riders to local trainers, from competition arenas to riding schools, the message has to be consistent and lived.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Lungeing a horse is a long-established means of providing training and exercise, proving useful when time and space are limited or if a horse needs work without a rider on. But do you know how to lunge a horse correctly and effectively? If you’re unsure, then read on to learn more about this useful skill.

So, what is lungeing?

Lungeing is a training method that involves the horse moving in a large circle around the handler. The handler is attached to the horse via long lead rein — known as a lunge line — and the horse moves around the handler in a circle. The distance between the horse and the handler dictates the size of the circle. A horse can be lunged in all gaits and both directions (clockwise and anti-clockwise).

Basic lungeing is fairly straightforward for both the horse and handler to learn, but being able to identify if the horse is working optimally and in such a way to improve their balance and movement is a skill that takes time to develop.

What are the benefits of lungeing a horse?

There are a number of reasons why lungeing is beneficial to a horse, including:

• Improving or maintaining cardiovascular fitness
• Developing strength and topline muscle
• A beneficial form of exercise when time is limited
• Useful for helping to settle an overly energetic or fresh horse before a rider mounts
• An early training exercise for young horses where they learn the basic voice commands, to more forwards independently, and to become familiar with wearing tack
• Adding variation to an exercise programme
• Can help a horse become more supple, engaged and obedient
• Helps a horse become more balanced without the weight of a rider
• Aids the bond between a horse and handler as voice commands are used to move the horse between paces
• The rider is able to see how the horse is moving and working from the ground

When used under veterinary direction, lungeing can play an important role in the rehabilitation of certain physiological issues, such as impinging dorsal spinous processes (kissing spine) or pain in the sacroiliac or caudal articular facet (joint surface) regions. Always consult your vet before lungeing a horse after any type of injury.

The potential dangers of lungeing

Lungeing can be hard work for the horse and it doesn’t come without risks, especially if your horse has a tendency to play around or you aren’t skilled in how to lunge a horse correctly. The potential dangers include:

• Working on a constant circle places excessive strain upon the distal limb structures
• Torque and twist — when a horse is working on a circular path, his body is subjected to a “centripetal force”, which is directed towards the centre of the circle and causes him to lean inwards. He lean in towards the centre of the circle to reduce the force on his limb joints, created as each hoof makes contact with the ground. If he didn’t — and maintained the same posture as if he were travelling in a straight line — this would further increase the force on his joints. The centripetal force, and therefore the amount of lean, will be greater as circle becomes smaller and the speed increases. Put simply, the faster the horse goes and the smaller the lungeing circle, the greater the strain.
• If the horse gets tired, they may stumble or take a “bad step” that can result in a musculoskeletal injury
• Risk of slipping if the surface isn’t suitable; you should aim to lunge your horse on a non-slip surface that is as flat as possible
• Risk of losing control of the horse; unless your horse is an experienced and well-behaved lunger, opt for a smaller area to lunge in rather than an open field

Lungeing, or any exercise which involves small circles, should not be used for rehabilitation purposes of certain injuries, such as collateral ligament injuries of any joint, typically the coffin joint, the tarsocrural joint in the hock and the fetlock, and suspensory ligament branch injuries. Always consult your vet before lungeing a horse after he has sustained any type of injury.

What kit do I need to lunge a horse?

As well as a lunge line and a lunge whip, your horse will need either a bridle or lungeing cavesson. The handler should always wear a riding hat, gloves and suitable footwear for safety.

A lungeing cavesson is recommended as it removes the sideways pressure of the lunge line from the horse’s mouth, which can encourage the horse to tilt its head or snatch away from the rein. By attaching the lunge line to the central ring on the cavesson noseband, the horse is encouraged to flex slightly to the inside without tilting the head. It also makes it easier to swap from side to side when changing direction. Some cavessons have attachments to allow the bit to be added. Otherwise, a skeleton bridle with the noseband removed can be worn with the cavesson if a bit is required.

It is sensible for the horse to wear overreach boots on their front legs and brushing boots all-round to protect against accidental knocks.

The horse can also wear either a correctly fitted roller, or their normal saddle with either the stirrups removed or secured in such a way to prevent them banging around.

Here is a selection of useful lungeing equipment if you’re incorporating this form of exercise into your horse’s training programme.

Lungeing aids

There are several lungeing aids that are designed to be used to help improve the horse’s way of going, including:

• Pessoa — uses ropes and pulleys to encourage the horse to stretch over his back and work into an outline.
• Chambon — a strap which runs from the girth to either side of the bridle or bit to encourage the horse to lower his head by applying poll pressure when he puts his head in the air. The pressure is released when he lowers his head.
• De Gogue — similar to a Chambon, but the De Gogue passes through the bit rings. Used to help build muscles and promote a round outline.
• EquiAmi Lunge Aid — the chest attachment is placed on the girth or belly of the roller. The aid goes right around the back of the horse, looping through the bit and back to the roller. It places the horse in a self-centering loop. It helps the horse to step under from behind, using his back and lifting his shoulders, working into a soft, equal contact.
• Bungee reins — elastic reins which pass through the bit and clip to either the roller, or the D-rings or girth of a saddle. They encourage the horse to lower the head and neck while inhibiting forward movement of head.
• Side reins — two separate elasticated reins that clip from the roller or saddle and run to the bit. They keep the horse’s body fairly straight and prevent the horse from bending excessively in either direction.
• Harbridge — attaches to the girth or roller between the horse’s legs and the two separate elasticated lines run up to the horse’s bit, attaching on each side. They aim to lower the horse’s head carriage.

All training aids must be used with care and as a temporary aid to help teach the horse a better way of going. They must be fitted correctly to have the desired effect. If you’re unsure on how to fit or use a training aid, ask a trainer to help you. 

How long should I lunge my horse for?

Lungeing is hard work for a horse so it’s essential that the lungeing session is suitable for his level of fitness.

Lungeing sessions can vary in length, but single bouts of activity should not exceed around 20 minutes as working on a continuous circle can put strain on the horse’s joints and limbs. Consequently, short periods of lungeing are preferable and you should keep a constant eye out for signs that your horse is tiring.

You can build your horse’s fitness up over time, starting with shorter sessions. When he gets fitter you can slowly increase the length of the lungeing sessions. 

How to lunge a horse correctly: the process

• When training a horse to lunge, it is best to begin without any training aids until he learns how to move around the handler
• Enter the lungeing space by leading the horse. The handler should stand in the centre of the circle
• Direct the horse out onto the rein you wish to begin. If you are beginning on the right rein, hold the line in your right hand and the whip in your left. Mirror this when you change direction
• A session on the lunge should be similar to a riding session. Start by allowing the horse to naturally stretch down in walk, then trot so they can gradually warm-up their muscles, before asking them to work in a more uphill frame, doing upward and downward transitions
• Once the horse is warmed up, then you can attach the lungeing aids if you are using them. Do not begin a session with the aids in place as the horse is more likely to pull a muscle or get injured as he has not had time to loosen up
• Canter is a challenging pace for a horse on the lunge and should only be introduced when the horse is able to easily maintain their balance in trot and through transitions
• At the end of the session, ask the horse to stretch again before walking him off

Top lungeing tips

• Use your energy, body language and voice to encourage the horse to move forwards. If the horse needs further encouragement, then point the lunge whip towards the horse’s hindquarters. The whip can be gently brushed or tapped on the horse if necessary
• The handler should use consistent voice commands to ask the horse to move between paces and for more or less energy
• While lungeing, try to maintain a triangle shape, with you at the head of the triangle, your lunge line and whip creating the two sides and the horse as the third side. This will ensure you are in the correct position and do not get in front or behind the horse’s movement
• The horse should show even suppleness through the body in the direction of the circle, tracking up or slightly over-tracking, and shouldn’t be falling in or out. He should have a good swing through the loins with a soft tail and his neck in the appropriate place depending on whether he is working up into a contact or down into a stretch

How to identify if your horse is working correctly on the lunge

NB: Horse & Hound does not recommend leaving the horse standing with side reins attached to the bit when you are not lungeing

Common problems and how to fix them

1. The horse over-bends and falls out through the outside shoulder

Solution: Side reins can help keep control of the outside shoulder, or if you are capable, use two lunge reins — the second rein is attached to the outside bit ring and either goes behind your horse’s quarters or over his withers which will give you control of the outside shoulder.

2. The horse is strong and tries to pull away from you

Solution: Practise using half-halts as you would if you were riding to steady and balance the horse and use a smaller area to lunge so you have more control.

3. Poor handling of the equipment

Solution: Dropping the lunge line on the floor, stepping into your loops or getting them in a muddle is potentially dangerous, so it’s important to spend time handling the lunge line before you have a horse attached. You should be able to hold the reins in large, neat loops held well off the ground and be able to shorten and lengthen them easily. You must also be able to use the whip independently in the other hand at the same time.

4. The horse falls in on the circle

Solution: Keep the horse out by pointing or shaking the lunge whip towards his shoulder. If you are teaching the horse to lunge, ask someone to lead the horse around the circle initially while standing on the outside of the circle to help guide him.

5. The horse runs around and around

Solution: If the horse decides to run off and you can’t stop him, gradually decrease the circle size and use half-halts and your voice to steady him.

6. The horse turns in to face the handler

Solution: Check your position and make sure you are staying in line with or behind the horse’s girth while directing energy towards the horse’s hind quarters to keep the horse moving forwards. You may need to walk a small circle so you are stepping towards the horse’s hind end to keep the horse moving, rather than standing still.

Can I lunge a horse with a rider on?

You can lunge a horse with a rider on. During the early stages of starting a horse, after the horse has been accustomed to being lent over, sat on and led around with a rider in the saddle, it is usual for the horse to be lunged with the rider on board. This gives the inexperienced horse the chance to move with more independence while learning to balance with a rider’s weight on their back. Normally at this stage the handler on the lunge continues to give the commands, and the rider will begin to introduce their aids to coincide with the hander’s signals, so the horse starts to learn by association what the rider’s aids mean.

The other situation when it is normal to lunge a horse with a rider on is to improve the rider’s skills – particularly their position, seat and balance. Because the horse is being controlled by the trainer on the ground via the lungeing tack, the rider can focus on themselves. Being able to ride without reins (and stirrups), without being concerned about controlling the horse, can be an excellent training opportunity. Finally, horses used for the equestrian sport of vaulting are also lunged with one or more riders on board.

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Working young horses, the importance of turnout and the perils of “exaggerated” over-care are among the issues covered in a report on ethical issues concerning the industry.

COFICHEV, the Swiss council for the equine industry, first produced Reflections on Ethics and the Horse in 2011, with the aim of considering the ethically correct relationship with the horse as a partner. A decade later, COFICHEV “felt the need to revisit the topic”, and has published a “revised and greatly expanded” version, taking into account recent scientific research.

A spokesman for the council said debate on the acceptability of the use and involvement of horses has “spread to the general population”, and that the report “offers a guide to the use of equines that appeals to personal responsibility and always focuses on animal welfare”.

The report opens by stating that an “ideal and absolute harmony is impossible to achieve”.

“Even so, it behoves us – and it is our moral responsibility – to question the choices we make through our freedom to do right or wrong,” it states.

“Moreover, legal rules evolve along with the morals of a society and do not, themselves, have a moral character. Should we therefore only apply the laws of the moment and consider that anything that is not forbidden remains implicitly allowed? Or, on the contrary, are we capable of going beyond mere legality and asking ourselves: if we want to do what’s right, or avoid doing what’s wrong, how can we adjust our behaviour?”

The report states that society’s view on the industry has changed, with many practices called into question and threatening horse sport’s social licence to operate.

“COFICHEV supports the principle of personal responsibility towards the horse,” it states, adding that all owners and keepers should keep up to date with advancements in knowledge of what constitutes ethical, welfare-led management.

“From an ethical point of view, it defends the possibility of employing equids, provided that certain imperatives are respected. Only overriding interests can justify the strains. In addition, the day-to-day conditions of management, work, and transport, as well as end-of-life decisions, must respect essential welfare standards based on scientific studies.”

The report states that humans must uphold each animal’s inherent worth, in all dealings, “and hold each animal in high moral regard, independent of our own impressions, opinions, and experiences”, as well as irrespective of the horse’s financial value.On movement, the report says walkers and treadmills cause an “unnatural situation”, and “must never replace free movement in the open air”.

It covers “exaggerated or inadequate care”, stating that some management is “aimed only at modifying aesthetic features or facilitating the animals’ employment”, citing whisker-trimming as an example, and adds that many owners “feel obliged to rug their horses”, when this could cause harm.

It speaks against tack such as draw reins that “counteract the horse’s nature and biomechanics” and devices that impair hearing or vision, such as earplugs and thick ear coverings.

“Essential corrective measures include checking equipment, becoming much more knowledgeable about indicators of poor welfare, and learning how to interpret those measures,” the report states.

Working young horses is covered; the report refers to controversy over when is the right age, as some believe initial training should not start until horses are six. But among other evidence, the report quotes recent research that found “equine athletes benefit significantly if they start exercising when they are young”.

“Early exercise helps strengthen the musculoskeletal system and improves the functional longevity of sport horses and racehorses. Indeed, bone tension and compression are essential for proper adaptation and normal, continuous growth,” it states. “By contrast, lack of activity in the early months (stall confinement) delays biomechanical and musculoskeletal tissue development (bones, tendon, and joint cartilage).”

In its conclusion, the report finds the main responsibility for ethical management of horses lies with those who work in the industry and care for them, but organisations must play their part by taking an ethical perspective in setting rules. It also finds “the knowledge necessary for the development of an adequate ethical attitude is lacking in several areas”, and recommends more research, adding that the report “emphasises the overriding importance of scientific findings”.

“In conclusion, it is reasonable to assume the public will continue to express strong and legitimate expectations of the equine industry,” the report states. “We consider it necessary to not leave the duty of vigilance solely to animal protection movements or to the authorities. If the industry is to retain its social legitimacy, people working with horses and organisations must prevent problems in the first place… more specifically, they must give top priority to the welfare of the equids, and respect for their inherent worth and their subjectivity, and not just focus on improving these points for the benefit of human beings.”

World Horse Welfare CEO Roly Owers told H&H that the charity “applauds the authors” of the report, with its centring on the horse-human partnership and the importance of personal responsibility.

“We believe that it goes to the heart of what equestrianism needs to consider in order to maintain and strengthen its social licence to operate,” he said. “The authors focus squarely on respecting the dignity and welfare of horses throughout their lives and stress the importance of ethics and scientific evidence to underpin our approach to horses.

“The ​report rightly highlights the responsibilities of both equestrian organisations and individuals throughout a horse’s life, drawing in the ethics of how horses are bred, managed, transported, ​and used in equestrian sport​, as well as end-of-life decisions. Everyone involved with horses should engage ​with the concepts in this ​document to ensure that welfare and ethics are at the heart of our decision-making in equestrianism.”

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More understanding is needed from owners when using training aids for lungeing and riding, research has suggested.

The study “Evaluating Horse Owner Expertise and Professional Use of Auxiliary Reins during Horse Riding”, by researchers at the Free University of Berlin, was published in Animals last month and investigated how much knowledge owners have regarding auxiliary reins, including side-reins, draw-reins and running martingales – and whether they are used appropriately.

Of 823 people who completed the study questionnaire, 199 used auxiliary reins “regularly”. Reasons for using training aids included problems with the horse “leaning”, external advice, or that owners had been used to using them since training started.

Of respondents, 296 used training aids mainly for lungeing, and most only attached auxiliary reins after the warm-up phase, but half of participants did not adjust them during the entire session. Three quarters could identify what the horse’s correct head position should look like, but 50% adjusted the reins too tightly and did not adjust them, even if the horse showed signs of breathing issues.

The researchers concluded that there is lack of information, and a need for clarification, among owners regarding the pros and cons of using training aids and the effects of the different reins used.

“The majority of participants felt they had sufficient knowledge about the use of auxiliary reins attributed to their experience as a rider. More serious violations were only recognisable in a small section of the respondents. However, against the background of animal welfare, these are to be taken very seriously in some cases and stopped immediately,” said the researchers.

“The goal must always be to use auxiliary reins for a short time in a problem-oriented way in the training and correction of horses in order to make these reins superfluous, and this knowledge must become an integral part of riding training.

“Further examinations should focus on the distinction of a running martingale versus the other auxiliary aids, as many riders would use the former as standard tack throughout a horse’s career.”

UKCC level three coach and Olympic eventer Sharon Hunt told H&H often riders are heavily influenced by whoever is training them at the time, and she believes there is a “time and a place” for training aids, if they are used in the correct way.

“Riders need to be trained correctly so they are only using training aids when necessary. This is really about the horse’s welfare – there is no point using something if the horse is unhappy, it’s not going to work,” she said. “You need to have a flexible approach because every horse is different and some take longer to understand things.”

Sharon added she was surprised that in the study, riders said they used training aids when the horse was leaning.

“A horse that leans is likely to lean more [with auxiliary reins on],” she said. “I think some riders need to look a bit deeper into the training when it comes to gadgets and think, ‘Why am I using this?’ They need to have an understanding of what they are doing, what they shouldn’t do, and the feeling they are trying to get from the horse.”

The British Horse Society’s (BHS) director of education Alex Copeland said the safe and correct use of tack is “critically important” to horse health and wellbeing.

“The BHS always recommends equestrians seek professional advice regarding the use of any piece of equipment or tack that they are not absolutely confident of using in the correct way,” he said.

In 2018, H&H reported on research that found riders think they know more about equestrian topics than they do, and “demonstrated an over-estimation of their equine knowledge regardless of qualification level”. The research was the first to provide evidence of the Dunning-Kruger effect, by which lower performers tend to be unaware of their lack of knowledge or ability, within equestrians.

You might also be interested in:

Riders think they know more than they do, research shows

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Body image a significant issue for riders, study finds

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The Equiband system is a training aid to help activate your horse’s core. It consists of two lengths of latex-free rubber that attach to a customised saddle pad. The shorter Equiband passes under the horse’s abdomen behind the rider’s leg while the longer piece rests behind the hindquarters under the horse’s tail, sitting above the hock and below the stifle. Both pieces are attached to the saddle pad from left to right and can be used individually or together depending on the reason you are using them.

The bands stimulate receptors in the horse’s skin and hair follicles which then activate the abdominal, sublumbar, deep neck and back muscles. The stimulation of these muscles mobilises the core and hindquarters and stabilises the horse’s back which helps prevent back pain and injuries. The Equiband system also supports and develops balance and coordination.

It is available in four sizes – pony, small, regular or large.

“The bands have a unique tension and texture, promoting optimal proprioceptive stimulation. They do not slide or move during locomotion and that constant contact is important. Cheap or fake copies on the market are made with a human resistance band which is smooth and slides, and therefore the stimulus and input is not the same,” says Dr Nicole Rombach, who devised the product in the US together with Dr Narelle Stubbs.

The pair designed the Equiband system to be used specifically under the guidance of a vet or a licensed professional for horses that have recovered from colic surgery, have poor posture or have been diagnosed with conditions such as kissing spine. The product is also beneficial for horses with asymmetrical hind limb movement, poor engagement and poor development of major muscle groups.

“All horses can use the Equiband system. For young horses it’s ideal to build up core strength without the rider. For rehabilitation, it activates core muscles that have become underactive due to a lack of movement or surgical intervention,” explains Dr Rombach.

“For the healthy horse it’s a way to add conditioning without having to add mileage: the workout is more intense therefore less time is needed under the rider. For the geriatric horse it’s an effective means to keep the core as strong as possible.”

Australian event rider Andrew Hoy regularly uses the product on his horses.

“The Equiband system can be a very good aid if used and fitted correctly. I use it on an individual basis on my young horses and those horses who find it difficult to engage their core or thoracic area. It is really beneficial in activating those muscles which can be hard for us as riders to get the horses to use,” says Andrew.

Findings from a 2015 British Equine Veterinary Association study which looked at quantifying the effect of the Equiband system on back kinematics and movement symmetry stated: “The Equiband system significantly reduced roll, pitch and mediolateral displacement in the cranial‐mid thoracic region. Across all horses, back displacement and range of motion values were significantly greater on the lunge than in a straight line, movement symmetry was consistent with having corrected all horses to be left‐sided. Preliminary results suggest the Equiband system may aid dynamic stabilisation of the vertebral column.”

Continued below…

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Initially the Equibands, which attach to an ergonomically shaped saddle pad made from wool and felt, should be used only for short periods of time at the start of a session to avoid muscle fatigue.

“To start with halve the horse’s normal workout and allow plenty of rest breaks. Start with the abdominal band only and add the hindquarter band after two or three weeks. In rehab, daily use is advised while for general conditioning two to three times a week is ideal,” concludes Nicole.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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The horse world is continuing to clamp down on riding styles and training techniques in order to promote a positive public view of the sport.

Last month the board of directors of the German Equestrian Federation decided to implement a new rule based around “good riding”.

The rule reads: “When it comes down to team nomination for championships, not only the potential for success will count, but also the strict following of the guidelines for riding, driving and vaulting.

“The federation disapproves of any training methods that go against the guidelines.

“This means explicitly any aggressive riding or training methods which entail a forceful handling of the horse.”

Last year the Swiss Equestrian Federation banned draw reins in warm-ups and competition at national shows to try to improve the profile of showjumping.

They were previously allowed under Swiss showjumping rules during the warm-up prior to the first fence and in prize-givings.

However, from 1 January draw reins are no longer permitted at national shows, in an attempt to improve the profile of horse sport.

The Swiss Equestrian Federation said it wants to “engage continuously and proactively in the welfare of the horses and the reputation of equestrian sports”, adding that draw reins paint a negative image for non-riders.

A Swiss federation spokesman added: “Equestrianism is often the focus of public attention, but not always in a positive way. An image suggesting violence undermines the reputation of equestrian sports.”Germany is now looking at rules regarding draw reins following Switzerland’s announcement last week that the national federation was taking a stand and banning the training aids at shows at national level.

A spokesman for the German Equestrian Federation told H&H that the “use of draw reins at riding shows in Germany is under discussion”. Currently they are allowed in prize-givings and flat work before jumping.traint

At shows run under FEI rules draw reins would still be permitted in the warm-up. However, it is hoped by some riders, including trainer Christopher Bartle, that the rule change could have far-reaching consequences and lead to riders training differently.

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Draw reins have been banned by the Swiss Federation in warm-up and competition in an attempt to improve the profile of horse sport.

Welfare issues in training have come under the spotlight in recent months, with images of horses and various training aids receiving criticism online.

“Equestrianism is often the focus of public attention, but unfortunately not always in a positive way,” read a statement from the federation.

It adds that images of horses in draw reins arouse suspicion of “stress and submission”.

Currently under Swiss rules they are allowed in the warm up until the first jump and during prize-givings.

The statement continues: “The Swiss Federation wants to engage continuously and proactively in the welfare of the horses and the reputation of equestrian sports.”

It is therefore banning the reins outright at competitions from 1 January 2016. Under the new rules the reins are “prohibited in all events and the warm-up”.

The federation states that some images might be misconstrued by non-equestrian viewers or “irritate” them as the reins are seen as a “constraint”.

“An image suggesting coercion and violence sends the wrong message and undermines the reputation of equestrian sports,” the federation continues. “If we do not fight this by all means, a complete ban on equestrian sports could result sooner or later.”

The country has long been a staunch supporter of welfare. Last year Switzerland’s government introduced a tough new welfare law against abusive training methods, including rollkur and rapping.

Rollkur, the hyperflexion of a horse’s neck by force, was banned in warm-up at international competitions by the FEI in May 2010. And last year the practice was banned during training at home.

Will more nations follow suit?

Draw reins are already banned under British Eventing and British Dressage rules, but are allowed in the warm-up for seniors in British Showjumping.

The British Equestrian Federation declined to comment on the new discipline-wide rule, while the FEI also told H&H they “were aware of it”, but would not comment further.

A beneficial training aid?

So do draw reins ever have a place in training? They are used at home by some top riders, but trainers asked by H&H did not advocate them as an effective or long-term solution.

“I’m not absolutely against them but I would try everything else first before resorting to them,” eventing trainer Christopher Bartle told H&H.

“I have recommended them in the past and they have helped in a safety sense with young or difficult horses, but I’d try and avoid them as much as possible. They help if the horse is particularly spooky. But it doesn’t teach them about contact as it controls it.”

Christopher added that he doesn’t believe they are used as much as in the past.

Olympic dressage rider Richard Davison agreed that their prevalence is less than it used to be.

“I think the ban is a good idea, it will probably make the few riders who rely on them look at more effective training techniques at home that they can replicate in the warm-up,” he added.

“If you can’t use certain techniques in the public arena then you have to look at more sustainable training. You need to question why they need to ride in that opposite shape to warm up than the horse is naturally in for competition.”

Showjumper Caroline Breen also believes the Swiss have the right idea in banning them.

“The majority of the general public will see top riders using them and think ‘that’s how they all do it and I’m going to try that tomorrow at home’,” she told H&H.

“There is a lack of understanding of why and how the draw rein should be used. I think people forget they are an aid, not a quick fix.”

H&H columnist Graham Fletcher agreed.

“They are of benefit if used correctly by a rider with plenty of experience. You have to be sensible and safe, and seek advice from a professional trainer,” he said.

However, he added: “I’m never one for banning anything, it becomes a nanny state. As long as people use them correctly they can help a lot of horses.”

H&H 29 Oct, 2015

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If you’re competing at grassroots level and therefore unable to wear a stopwatch, how can you accurately judge your speed and avoid pesky time-faults?

According to eventer J-P Sheffield, who has produced many horses to CCI4* level, it is possible to train yourself to do it.

Here’s 6 steps to train yourself to judge your horse’s speed:

1 Mark out 520m on a gallop track or in a field.

2 Attempt to get from one point to the other in one minute.

3 Check your time and work out if you need to be slower or faster when you try again.

4 If you start from a standstill you will be slower, because it takes time to get going and find a rhythm. It’s like leaving a startbox — that is why the first minute on a course is one of the slowest.

5 The type of fence you have to negotiate will also affect how quickly you can travel. For example a technical question, such as water or a combination, requires a shorter, punchier canter and therefore wastes more time. However, straightforward fences, such as a rolltop or a log, will be quicker as there is less setting up to do in front of the fence.

6 “As a rider gets more experienced they learn where the quicker sections are so that they can make up the time,” explains J-P.

Exercise: save time through transitions

This exercise helps achieve smoother transitions across country, therefore saving time by making the horse more rideable. It will improve the quality of the canter, teach a horse to shorten its stride and ensure you ride accurate transitions that the horse responds to immediately.

– Place three ground poles 14 yards apart.

– “It’s a three-stride canter distance but the aim is to fit in four strides,” says J-P.

– The middle pole should be raised several inches off the floor, making the stride over that pole longer.

– Make sure you ride in a gentle way — don’t yank at the horse’s mouth in order to contain the stride.

– Make sure each pole is at the middle of a stride and you do it in both directions.

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I was saddened to read last week about the death of Mary Hancy, who tragically lost her life following a clipping accident. As the reporter stated, it reminds the equestrian community of the potential dangers of handling horses on the ground.

I then went on to read the feature on living with health and safety and how things are now so very different for our youngsters than when many of us (myself included!) were children.

Growing up in the snowy mountains in New South Wales where we used our horses to work cattle and sheep as well as for our recreation on the weekends. We regularly rode without hats, charged up and down hilly terrain and rode buckjumpers at rodeos.

My time in the Tumut Pony Club included campdrafting (steering cows through a course), tentpegging and bareback races! It was only when an off duty paramedic stopped me whilst hacking on the lanes on my arrival in the UK back in 1999 and told me all the horrific details of dealing with riders who had fallen off when not wearing a hat, that I woke up to the potential dangers.

Nowadays, I am lucky to be sponsored by Champion and I don’t even notice that I’m wearing a hat when I’m riding now.

I am also passionate that education plays a key role in this whole debate. I don’t mean learning to ride or stable management but learning how to ‘read’ your horse. Looking for and understanding what he is thinking (through looking at his ears for example) and then knowing how to act and react, both when on the ground and when mounted, is vital to creating a safe environment and something that I think is not taught enough in the UK.

An opinionated new customer

Back to the yard and we’ve been surviving the cold and have been fortunate in only getting a sprinkling of snow so far.

We have well and truly got over the Christmas period lull and the yard is full again with the usual variety of youngsters in for starting, including a lovely new project for eventer Emily Baldwin (pictured above), and horses with behavioural and ridden problems in for retraining.

These range from a stunning black PRE stallion who wants everything on his terms (pictured top and below) to a hyper-sensitive horse who bucks and has become hard to manage on the ground. The stallion showed a fair bit of attitude but I am happy to say he is now becoming a lot less challenging on the ground and under saddle.

Several people braved the cold on Tuesday morning to attend our monthly coffee morning where I was handling another rescue pony that came from the same herd as Claydon. She is actually a lot easier than Claydon who was quite confrontational at times and I am confident that she will become a lovely riding horse and be successfully rehomed.

I have also been teaching a lot of clinics and lessons, and have found that problems generally come back down to basics, and in some cases, to what I call “nagging”.

So often I see riders ask their horse for a movement, such as using their leg to ask for an upward transition, and the horse respond correctly only for the rider to continue kicking. Sometimes this is done because the rider feels that the horse isn’t showing enough impulsion but in a lot of cases, it has become a habit regardless of what the horse is doing underneath the rider. Either way nagging your horse like this when they are trying to do the right thing can lead to the horse becoming confused about your aids and over time can make them sour and unwilling to move off the leg.

So next time you ask your horse for a movement, take a moment to feel what the response is; do you really need to keep asking or can you leave him alone?

Jason

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Dear gorgeous readers,

As I start writing to you, I am sitting at Aarhus Airport in Denmark as I commence my long journey to South Africa for my five-day clinic in Durban.

It has been a whirlwind few weeks with training, clients, selling horses, shows and an exciting new development which I will share with you.

Yesterday, I said goodbye to one of my favourite horses as Grethe (Hoffmann) and I made the long journey with Montoya (a Michellino gelding) to north of Copenhagen. He has been sold to Olympic Finnish rider, Mikaela Lindh (or Fia as she is commonly known). He is such a fabulous horse so his future is exciting and the Hoffmann’s will remain co-owners.

We all had a lovely sociable time at the vetting, which he sailed through, before delivering him to Fia’s beautiful yard.

Grethe and I left at 5.30am to catch the 7am ferry from Aarhus to the Island of Zealand, which Copenhagen is situated on. It was a fairly bumpy ride on the open waters, but Montoya coped well with it and I enjoyed a big buffet breakfast to take my mind of the minor stormy seas! All in all a fun day out was had and we arrived home last night in time for me to get a little more organised for my current trip.

Well, I have just looked up at the screen and see that my flight to Stansted is delayed by an hour and a half. Not ideal when I then need to get a bus to Heathrow for my flight to Dubai! Nothing I can do about it, so think it may be time for a glass of wine! Back in a mo…

Last weekend, Dressage International Dompadour (Poppy) and I were competing at Grenaa (pictured top).

Day one started with heavy snow and so we had a very scenic drive there. Poppy was not a massive fan of the indoor venue with all the big scary banners and the grandstand which was so close to the arena it might as well have been in it! A couple of children playing in the seating area did not help our cause and so a bit of tension and the odd spook didn’t make for a great score. We were just out of the placings coming fourth.

The next day was similar apart from a beautiful, big flying change where she was not meant to do one! It was an educational weekend for her and I can put it down as a positive training experience.

Conquering spookiness

When you are at a competition and your horse may be a bit spooky in a certain corner or because he sees something scary, it is a good idea to think shoulder-in. If you keep him straight as you are riding into your corner, he will have much more opportunity to face what he is scared of, spook and possibly result in both of you ending up in the middle of the arena!

Before he has had time to grab the bit and take control, increase the pressure with your inside leg, maintaining your outside rein and keep guiding and flexing on the inside rein. As you have ridden past what he is scared of and you feel him give under you remember to relax and give back to him.

You can practice this at home. Your horse may be scared of passing the arena door or a place on the long side of the arena where jumps are stored behind the rails. In trot, start riding a 10 to 12 metre circle on the opposite side of the arena to where the scary place is. Begin to gradually leg yield your horse towards the scary place, ensuring you remain on a circle. Through this exercise you will be increasing the pressure from your inside leg and keep the inside rein guiding and flexing. You will also find that riding with a slightly increased inside bend as you move towards the scary place will very much help your cause.

It is very important that when you feel your horse is happy and relaxed to be closer to whatever he was scared of before, you praise him and remove the pressure.

It was great to see the Hoffmann’s stallion, Onassis (the most winning Danish horse at small tour level last year, pictured above) do his first grand prix at the competition with his rider Susanne Barnow. He is such an elegant, happy horse and for sure would put any junior or young rider straight on a team!

So, for my exciting news…

Poppy, Pringle and I are moving back home to the UK! I really have had an amazing year and a half at Hoffmann Towers in Denmark. I have developed much more as a rider and coach and it has led to some great opportunities.

I will now be starting my own business where I will be based at a beautiful yard (near Wooton Bassett, Wiltshire) with fantastic facilities, including an indoor school. Here I will be having training, competition and sales horses and will continue with my coaching — clients will be able to come to me and I will keep up my away clinics too.

I have booked the transporter for my precious cargo, Poppy and Pringle for 11 March. I’ve got lots to organise before then, including selling furniture and my little Danish car, but first…my week in Sunny South Africa!

Until soon

Shaun xx

Ooh! Nearly forgot my quote from Body Mind Mastery:

‘What a caterpillar calls the end of the world the master calls a butterfly – Richard Bach’

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We’ve well and truly got into the swing of 2015 now and I even have to forgive all the rain last week as it gave me a new training tool in the form of a massive lake (pictured above).

Needless to say the horses that are in for training at the moment shouldn’t have a problem with water jumps in their future careers!

We also had our first coffee morning of 2015 where I worked with a tricky loader (pictured below) among other horses. Although loading could take up pages of writing, my main tips would be to establish a clear forward cue first and to never force a horse onto a horsebox or trailer no matter how frustrated you are.

I was reading the ‘Decoding and demystifying dressage’ article in last week’s Horse & Hound and was struck by one of Lars Petersen’s ‘Training gems’ (see box page 27, Horse & Hound magazine, 15 January 2015).

What a great statement and while I am not necessarily looking for collection in the young horses I take in for starting, I am looking for them to push forward when asked. I like to think of this push as being an instant response to my leg with the horse making an effort, rather than a laboured pull forward.

When training starters, there are two points at which you may find resistance or objections from your horse. The first is when the horse is scared and goes into flight mode, which can result in tension, rushing or even bolting. The other is when you first ask the horse to push forward, or to ‘try’, which can lead to kicking out or ‘planting’ his feet.

However, it’s not just starters that can have these resistant points. I have a beautiful dressage horse in at the moment for training that is currently working up to medium level who shows a lot of inconsistency off the leg, sometimes going forward but at other times bucking or kicking out. When a horse resists like this, it can cause the rider to back off and as a consequence, the horse may learn that they don’t have to push forward off the leg if they don’t want to.

This mare has done exactly that, and although she has come along way in her training she is now being asked to collect to a higher level without a consistent push from her hindleg, which I feel is the root of her problem.

These inconsistencies can begin to be solved by learning to recognise when he pushes forward with an instant response to your leg, and by being consistent in your asking to push every time, even if only for a stride or two.

However, before starting any work on tackling resistance to going forward, I make sure that the horse is fully loosened up and that I am able to disengage my horse’s hind end so I can take the energy out of him if he decides to resist by rushing or bucking, or I can move his feet if he decides to “plant” himself.

World Cup preparation

On a completely different note, I have just come back from a weekend at Onley Equestrian Centre, near Rugby. As player/coach of the UK Polocrosse team, I led our first training session in the run up to the World Cup in South Africa this July. I took three of my young horses, and considering it was their first run out in the company of others, I was extremely pleased with how they went.

I am also delighted to have been asked to do some more work for the charity Happy Endings Rescue. The sister to Claydon (the wild rescue pony that I took on a few months ago) is coming to stay this week. Like Claydon when he first arrived, she too has had very little human contact, so I shall aim to get her used to being handled and ridden so that she can hopefully be re-homed in due course.

As for Claydon, I am very happy to report that he has settled in really well with his new owner and is continuing to make good progress.

Jason

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Do soothing vocal cues enhance horses’ ability to learn a frightening task?

You would presume the answer is “yes” otherwise all riders have spent many hours making silly noises for no good reason.

However, according to research recently-published in The Journal of Equine Behaviour by a group of international behaviour specialists, it seems that horses don’t naturally differentiate between our soft voice tones and our angry ones.

Scientists from the United States, Italy and German, tested 107 horses across America and Europe on their ability to learn to walk over a piece of tarpaulin.

They discovered there was no difference between horses that were told “good horse” in a soft, soothing manner whenever they moved forward and those that were told to “quit it” in a loud, harsh tone.

Virtually the same percentage of both categories took longer than 10 minutes to complete the task and the heart rates of the horses were the same in both groups.

“The risk of failing the task was not different between treatments,” the study stated.

“Also, for those horses who did cross the tarpaulin, the total time to achieve the calmness criterion did not differ between treatments.

“There was no difference between the average heart rate of horses that crossed versus those that failed.

“In the context of this study, soothing vocal cues did not enhance a horse’s ability to perform a novel, potentially frightening task,” the study concluded.

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Online retailer Shadow Horse has added a new surcingle pad to its range, aimed to improve horses’ comfort when they’re being lunged.

The “Fleeceworks Surcingle Pad” is made from Australian merino sheepskin and features Velcro straps for a secure fit.

“The sheepskin is ideal for horses with sensitive skin,” said a Shadow Horse spokesman.

“The shorter dense hair [has] incredible cushioning qualities, [and] also stops the sheepskin matting over time.

“Complete sheepskin covering and rolled edges also dispel any pressure points and help to prevent rubbing across the wither and back.”

The pad costs £98 and comes in black, brown or cream, in one size.

For more information visit www.shadowhorse.co.uk

A new RS-tor rider safety aid has been launched that has an extra long strap which means it now fits treeless and side saddles.

The company says that the RS-tor rider safety aid helps riders develop balance and keeps them safer in the saddle. Manufacturer, Lee Buck, explains that the product is held like a whip in the rider’s hand and if their horse were to spook, buck or rear, the fall prevention aspect comes into effect.

The product can be used in affiliated British Showjumping competitions but may only be used in the warm-up sections of affiliated British Dressage and British Eventing contests. It does not break Pony Club equipment rules and may generally be used within BSPS Heritage and Tiny Tots showing classes.

The RS-tor safety aid is manufactured by PolyPads and is available for £44.99. It is available in all sizes from childs to adults.

For more information visit www.rstor.co.uk

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Find out more about draw reins

Draw reins are forbidden at dressage and horse trials competitions but accepted in showjumping.

Riders of international calibre will use them with great skill to fine-tune the shape of horses about to make supreme jumping efforts and sometimes to maintain control in the m ªl ©e of the warm-up and collecting rings.

John Smart, an accredited British Eventing and British Showjumping trainer, warns: “Draw reins don’t mean you’re a good rider.

“I get the odd person turning up at my clinics wanting to use draw reins, so I hold their heads either side and then say, ‘Keep your head still’.

“But when I go to twist it they invariably move their head. I say, ‘No, keep it still’ and then apply a little downward pressure and they say, ‘Ouch’. ‘Yes,’ I say, ‘it hurts, doesn’t it? Imagine what that would be like if I had leverage too.’

“If you put a muscle where it doesn’t want to be, it tears – it doesn’t build.“

He adds: “I am not a gadget person, but if draw reins are used as a means to an end, they can be beneficial. If a horse is inverted, there is nothing at all that says you can’t educate that horse into softening the outline using draw reins and give yourself a little helping hand.

“There is no point in making life unnecessarily difficult.

“You might have to do six months of shoulder-in and leg yield – or three weeks when you also use draw reins a couple of times a week to point a horse gently in the right direction.”

For the full article about draw reins see the current issue of Horse & Hound (3 November, 2011)

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horse training aids

A new wood-free arena mirror has been launched by Mirrors for Training.

The arena mirrors are backed and framed with galvanised steel to remove the need for regular maintenance, and the worry of the mirrors degrading over the winter months.

“Wood absorbs moisture, bends and warps when exposed to the elements if unprotected, and a warped surface doesn’t produce a crisp, clear reflection. Using galvanised steel removes this issue, giving riders an even better image,” said Andrea Miles from Mirrors for Training.

“We are continually looking for ways to improve what we do and looking at the materials we use is fundamental.”

Mirrors for Training’s fixed Arena Mirrors retail at £330+VAT per 8ftx4ft panel, with movable mirrors (supplied with stand) costing £470+VAT per 8ftx4ft mirror.

For more information visit: www.mirrorsfortraining.co.uk

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A new training aid has been added to the Oliver Townend equestrian collection.

The Townend Collection has been created with top eventer Oliver Townend and Hills Wholesale and was launched at Burghley last year.

The latest addition — the Townend Training System — is a lungeing device.

Different levels are achieved by the positioning of the line that runs from the elastic tensioner through the bit.

In the novice, or level 1, position the line is put through the horses bit and between the front legs and reattached to the girth.

And the intensity can be increased up to level 4 position, for horses established at advanced level, where the end clip is crossed over the horses withers and attached to the opposite side of the roller.

“An ideal time saver when daylight and time is tight this winter, this training aid allows you to work your horse properly from the ground and help your horse to find his own natural balance and rhythm,” said a spokesman for the company.

“At the same time it helps to engage the hindquarters, lightening the forehand and encouraging the horse to develop self-carriage.”

The Townend Training System comes with full clear pictorial instructions and costs £65.

Other items in the range include a bridle, stirrup leathers, leather head collar and five-point breastplate and Townend Ultra Grip reins.

For more information contact Hills Wholesale on 01948 820720.

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Q: I understand dressage rider Laura Bechtolsheimer has a home-training aid she uses called the Kavalkade HO Lunging Aid.

Can you tell me any more about it and where I can get one?

KC, Glos

Brini Wittek, who rides for Laura Bechtolsheimer, told H&H the Kavalkade HO Lunging Aid, based on a simple set of reins, was recommended to Laura by German equine physiotherapist Dr Buchholz.

“It is made from a long loop of lightweight cord and reaches over the horse’s back, just behind the withers, between the front legs and up to either the bit rings or the lunge cavesson,” said Brini.

“When attached to the cavesson, it avoids any one-sided pulling on the bit rings.”

The gadget’s length is adjusted on a small leather pad that rests on the horse’s back; it is designed to help develop throughness and outline without tying the horse down.

“It is a great contraption for lungeing young horses, as they don’t like things like side-reins that are fixed to the mouth,” Laura added.

“We use it to help develop topline and sympathetically encourage a correct way of working.”

Information

The Kavalkade HO Lunging Aid is available from Sydney Free Saddlers in Cirencester.

Price: £24.95

Tel: 01285 655384

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (2 September, ’10)

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Q: I am teaching a teenager on my Anglo Arab gelding. She’s an accomplished rider, but easily becomes unseated when we work without stirrups, as the horse is bouncy.

I have heard about a balance strap that attaches to the saddle and would like to know what it is.

RD, Norfolk

There are a few straps on the market that help with balance and rein contact, but it sounds as though the product you’re referring to is the RS-tor (pronounced “arrestor”).

It is a light, webbing strap that attaches to the saddle D-rings and also the stirrup bars of the saddle. The strap is approximately the length of the rider’s forearm and includes an elasticated element that absorbs movement.

The rider holds the end of the RS-tor, which is shaped like a riding crop handle.

Does it affect my position?

Inventor George Gorman says: “The RS-tor is a great preventative tool to avoid falls and subsequent injuries. It gives the rider a feeling of security.

“If their balance is challenged or they’re unseated, the RS-tor allows them to stay closer to the saddle — especially useful if a horse spins or spooks suddenly, or when someone is learning to jump.

“In the latter example, this could also prevent the horse being jabbed in the mouth. It doesn’t affect the rein contact and is unobtrusive.”

Where can I get one?

The product is manufactured and distributed by Libby’s and has a British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) safety and security innovation award.

A Libby’s representative told H&H: “The RS-tor isn’t limited to Riding for the Disabled Centres and beginners. It is essentially a very good safety product and, since the innovation award, it has become especially popular.”

It is priced at £39.95 and comes in S, M and L. H&H

Information

Libby’s, tel: 01752 338000 www.libbys-tack.com

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (3 September, ’09)

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Q: I am starting to introduce more carriage-based flatwork with my five-year-old show jumper. She’s jumping well at discovery level, but my trainer says I need to develop her flatwork to get her working correctly and safely develop her muscles.

I have heard about a new lungeing device that replicates the rider’s hands – what is it and where can I get one?

KDL, Manchester

Saddle manufacturer Devoucoux has introduced a new training device that could help your mare.

The Gymer has been designed to encourage horses to work gymnastically on the lunge – it aims to develop carriage correctly through repetitive training and education.

How does it work?

According to Devoucoux, the training aid encourages a softer, more elastic outline, and establishes stronger top-line muscles; in effect, replicating the rider’s hand.

It has two tension options in the elastic; the first is for younger, less experienced horses, and the second is for more established animals.

As you obviously have regular lessons, it would be a good idea to discuss your specific aims with your trainer and use the Gymer within a tailored programme of flatwork and jump training.

This will help improve your mare’s overall gymnastic ability.

Information

At £495, the Gymer can be demonstrated at your yard.

Tel: 01296 689012/07791 130643 www.devoucoux.com

This Q&A was first published in Horse & Hound (2 July, ’09)

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Popular saddle manufacturer Devoucoux has introduced a new training device to help encourage horses to work gymnastically and correctly on the lunge.

The GYMER has been designed to replicate the rider’s hand and help educate the horse during lunge work. According to Devoucoux, the training aid “helps to encourage a softer, more elastic outline and establishes stronger top-line muscles”.

The system uses a roller with an extension coming forwards above the withers (see pic). This carries an elasticated cable, which is fitted to the horse’s bit, simulating the position of the reins when the rider is in the saddle.

The roller also has a d-ring to which the lunge rein can be attached and then passed through the bit ring before going back to the trainer’s hand to encourage the correct inside bend. Alternatively the lunge rein can be attached to a lunge cavesson in the traditional fashion.

There are two tension options in the elastic: one for a younger less experienced horse and one for the more established horse. The trainer can adjust the tension to the idea level of work for the individual horse.

The GYMER is priced at £495.

For more information: Tel: 01296 689012 / 07791 130643 or visit: www.devoucoux.com

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Q: I am interested in using some sort of training aid, with my instructor’s help, to develop my five-year-old’s head carriage while working on the flat.

I have been told a de Gogue might help?

SMD, Oxon

The de Gogue training aid aims to address three points of equine resistance — the poll, the mouth and the base of the neck.

Invented by Frenchman Rene de Gogue, it features straps running from the girth to the headpiece of the bridle, to the bit, and back to the girth again.

In his book, Saddlery, The Complete Guide, Elwyn Hartley Edwards describes the de Gogue as a system of training for the accomplished horseman to raise the base of the horse’s neck, free the shoulders, produce greater engagement and flexion of the hock, and encourage muscled development of a rounded top-line.

Who uses it?

Show jumper David McPherson has advocated careful use of the de Gogue, saying it can help produce a good shape when the horse is working on the flat, with the back rounded and the hocks engaged — a similar shape to the one the horse should produce over a fence.

Stephen Biddlecombe, of de Gogue stockist worldwidetack.com, explained that by addressing the main points of resistance, it can help a horse overcome stiffness in these areas and carry its head comfortably.

“It can be used for both lungeing and for ridden work, but should be gradually introduced by an experienced rider, making sure the horse is correctly warmed up first,” he said.

The British Horse Society’s Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies at Events states that training aids such as this must only be used for the warm-up stage of competitions, but do check your sport’s rulebook.

Information

www.worldwidetack.com stocks a leather de Gogue in brown and black, £83.39.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (29 January, ’09)

Q: I’ve just bought a new horse who throws his head in the air on the approach to a fence. Apparently his previous owner used a Market Harborough when she was jumping him. How does this schooling aid work and would I be able to use it in showjumping competitions?

Carolyn Henderson replies: As you are just starting your partnership with this horse, it would be a good idea to have some lessons with a good showjumping trainer.

He or she will be able to analyse your horse’s jumping technique and hopefully improve his approach to fences through specialised gridwork.

Make sure your horse is not in discomfort by having his teeth, back and tack checked.

A saddler I know says she has seen this sort of problem caused by saddles which have insufficient clearance over the withers and press down as the horse takes off.

In the short term, when control and safety are vital, a Market Harborough may help.

It should only be used with an ordinary snaffle – not one with any sort of lever or gag action – and not with a pelham or you will get conflicting actions.

The Market Harborough fastens to the girth, travels between the front legs and divides into two narrow straps, each with a small clip hook at the end. The straps pass through the bit rings, from the inside to the outside, then clip to reins which have small D-rings attached.

The advantage of the Market Harborough, which is permitted in jumping competitions as long as it is used with an ordinary snaffle, is it’s the horse not the rider that works it.

When the horse raises his head it applies rein pressure; when he lowers his head, the pressure is relieved.

Fit it loosely to start with, so the horse gets used to the action. Always make sure it is loose enough so the direct, ordinary rein comes into action before the Market Harborough.

“Bad horses are not born, they are made,” says show jumper David McPherson with great firmness.

For many years, David has used a de Gogue on some of his young horses. “I now make my own with elastic, which lets a horse argue with himself rather than being restricted by inflexible straps, I never use anything which forces the head down.”

The de Gogue is a training aid where straps run from the girth to the headpiece of the bridle, to the bit and back to the girth again.

“It acts on the bit and the poll, but unlike the chambon, also causes the nose to be pulled in. It produces a good shape when working on the flat, the horse balanced with his back rounded and hishocks engaged – a similar shape to that which he should produce over a fence. If a horse does not ride well on the flat, how can he be expected to jump well?

“The de Gogue helps to lighten a horse, make him soft, sensitive and responsive, but it is not a solution in itself. So many people think they can find a gadget or a bit and that it is the answer to everything. They use something while not fully understanding the concept of what they are trying to achieve. If a horse needs a de Gogue, then I use one, as I will use anything which it needs. But it is only a very small piece of the jigsaw, when everything in the overall picture has been addressed, then the puzzle will click into place.¨

The subject of draw reins is emotive, with some purists maintaining they have no place in the tackroom of a “proper” rider.But leading dressage trainer Dane Rawlins believes that correctly used, draw – or running – reins can be a beneficial schooling aid.

“I would stress, though, that they should only be a guide to the horse. They are there to make the horse want to do what you wish – not to make him do what you want.

“Ideally, I would rather not use them at all, but for a horse which wasunsettled in the mouth, they are a very good schooling influence and can be a good form of correction for a horse which is, perhaps, generally recalcitrant. I only ever use them with an ordinary snaffle bit.

“It is vital that they are used properly.The idea is to ask the horse to lower his head, and then, when he is in a position to carry himself, to give with the reins. If you use them to try and hold the horse down, you are back to square one as soon as they are taken off. As soon as possible, the horse should go back into an ordinary bridle.”

The arrangement of the draw reins depends on the horse and its individual problem.

“If I want more jowl flexion, I have the draw rein going from the rider’s hand to the inside of the bit ring, then through and back to the girth; when the horse is working, they should be parallel to the ground, so this usually means fixing them about level with the bottom of the saddle flap.

“For more poll flexion, the rein goes from the hand to the outside of the bit, then through and down between the horse’s front legs to the girth. In both cases, they must run freely and not catch.”

Dane favours draw reins made of thin leather – thinner than the snaffle rein – and he holds them with just his first finger. “That way, you don’t ever ‘over’ pull on them; they must be used with feeling, not force,” he says.

• Read more expert advice about horse training aids

“I have used a chambon as a training aid for more years than I care to remember, ” admits top show jumper, Di Lampard. “I’m not a gadget person at all ¨ it’s a snaffle or double bridle for me if possible, but the chambon can hardly be classified as a gadget.”

The chambon clips on to the top of the snaffle ring, then rolled leather or cord passes across rings near the ears, to fasten to the girth between the front legs like a martingale.”

“If a horse has a high head carriage, his back muscles lock and he gets too tense to use himself properly. I find the chambon is an excellent way of relaxing a horse that has this problem. “

“If he tries to lift his head too high, the bit comes up in his mouth and puts pressure simultaneously on the poll. It encourages him to stretch down, to soften and relax.”

“I always introduce the chambon quietly on the lunge. It would be a mistake if anyone thought they could just put it on and ride a horse away in it. If he is lunged slowly, withhis hocks well underneath him, it makes him use his back muscles properly.”

“Once a horse gets used to the chambon, you can jump fences of 18in or 2ft with it on, but he has to really respect it and be going well both on the lunge and on the flat before I graduate that far.”

“All real horsemen know there are no short cuts in training ¨ nothing is going to provide instant improvement or quick results.”

“I don’t use the chambon on all my horses as a part of the training routine ¨ horses are all individuals and need different things, and it’s only those who carry their heads too high who really benefit.”

Chambons are available at £90 from Kate Negus Saddlery (tel: 01273 833384).