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.
Patrick Print FBHS – Chair BHS FellowsEdinburgh
“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.
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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.
Kim HarmanTenterden, Kent
“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!
Charmian AitkenSedgeford, Norfolk
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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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.
