How To Hold Draw Reins

What Are Draw Reins?

Draw reins, also called “running reins” or “training reins,” are long lines—usually made of leather or nylon webbing—attached to the bit of a horse’s bridle. The draw reins run through the horse’s bridle, along the sides of its neck, and back to the rider’s hands. This gives the rider the ability to control the horse’s head carriage and balance from the saddle. Draw reins have been used to train horses for centuries, but over time their use has become somewhat controversial.

Draw reins are often used to teach horses to work in a frame, lower their heads, and give to the bit. They can also be used to keep a strong horse from pulling the rider’s arms out of joint. However, if not used correctly, draw reins can interfere with the horse’s natural balance, causing him to lean on the bit and become unbalanced and unsafe. For this reason, it is important to use draw reins correctly and only when necessary.

How to Hold Draw Reins

When using draw reins, the rider should hold them in the same manner as regular reins, with the thumb placed on top and the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger below. The reins should not be looped around the rider’s hands. The draw reins should be held with a light, steady pressure and should never be pulled tight.

The rider should focus on keeping the horse’s head in the desired position and should not pull the reins to make the horse lower or raise its head. The horse’s head should be in the desired position before the rider applies pressure to the draw reins. If the horse does not respond to the light pressure, the rider can increase the pressure incrementally until the desired response is achieved. Once the horse responds, the rider should immediately release the pressure.

When to Use Draw Reins

Draw reins should be used to reinforce a horse’s existing training and should never be used as a way to teach a horse a new behavior. They should only be used when the horse is not responding to more traditional methods of training.

Draw reins should also never be used on a horse that is not physically fit. Horses that are out of shape will find it difficult to carry their heads in the desired position, and the draw reins may cause them to become unbalanced and unsafe. For this reason, draw reins should only be used on horses that are physically fit and responsive to traditional training methods.

Conclusion

Draw reins can be a useful tool for training horses, but they should never be used as a substitute for traditional training methods. They should also never be used on horses that are not physically fit or responsive to traditional training methods. When used correctly, draw reins can help a horse develop better balance and head carriage. However, if used incorrectly, draw reins can cause a horse to become unbalanced and unsafe. For these reasons, it is important to understand how to hold draw reins and when to use them.