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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1001
Location: Kansas | When using as an aide to help a horse get back to riding from the rear end and not the front end, how often do you use them and for how long? Do you do excersises and switch bits or do you spend a week riding in just the draw reins? Curious as it was suggested to me to ride in them as much as I can. I have never really used draw reins. Tia! |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
  
| I use them every once in awhile, usually clip them to my cinch between the front legs as I am wanting my gelding to really pick his wither up and round his topline. I use them for the majority of the ride when I do use them. I mainly do flat basic rail work, some circles and I use a snaffle or if my gelding is being a lug, I use the tender touch with them. |
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 Jr. Detective
 
Location: Beggs, OK | I prefer a German Martingale over draw reins on most horses. I use the GM with either a short shank twisted three piece Ed Wright or a ring snaffle with a square slow twist.
Draw reins shouldn't be used as single reins, like many seem to want to do. They should always have a secondary direct rein so that you can give your horse an appropriate release and actually teach them something rather than relying on the draw reins for false collection. Learning how to handle double reins is tough, but it works really well.
One of the craziest set-ups I've seen lately is a draw bit with a paracord headstall that already pulls right on the horses lips...and they're using it with draw reins on horses that aren't broke enough to even understand what's being asked. It just looks like a wreck waiting to happen...and I can't imagine how many horses learn to run off in a rig like that. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| I normally only use them when working dressage (go ahead and laugh now, yes all my barrel horses start low level dressage), and then I clip them through the front legs to the second girth ring (farthest from the front of the horse). It gets a good roundness in them when working on harder things that require more collection and harder body movements.
I prefer the german martingale when working them for more barrel related activities. |
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 Famous for Not Complaining
Posts: 8848
Location: Broxton, Ga | rachellyn80 - 2015-09-14 9:42 AM I prefer a German Martingale over draw reins on most horses. I use the GM with either a short shank twisted three piece Ed Wright or a ring snaffle with a square slow twist.
Draw reins shouldn't be used as single reins, like many seem to want to do. They should always have a secondary direct rein so that you can give your horse an appropriate release and actually teach them something rather than relying on the draw reins for false collection. Learning how to handle double reins is tough, but it works really well.
One of the craziest set-ups I've seen lately is a draw bit with a paracord headstall that already pulls right on the horses lips...and they're using it with draw reins on horses that aren't broke enough to even understand what's being asked. It just looks like a wreck waiting to happen...and I can't imagine how many horses learn to run off in a rig like that.
Agree |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | CJE - 2015-09-15 8:58 AM rachellyn80 - 2015-09-14 9:42 AM I prefer a German Martingale over draw reins on most horses. I use the GM with either a short shank twisted three piece Ed Wright or a ring snaffle with a square slow twist.
Draw reins shouldn't be used as single reins, like many seem to want to do. They should always have a secondary direct rein so that you can give your horse an appropriate release and actually teach them something rather than relying on the draw reins for false collection. Learning how to handle double reins is tough, but it works really well.
One of the craziest set-ups I've seen lately is a draw bit with a paracord headstall that already pulls right on the horses lips...and they're using it with draw reins on horses that aren't broke enough to even understand what's being asked. It just looks like a wreck waiting to happen...and I can't imagine how many horses learn to run off in a rig like that. Agree
And actually, all draw reins help with is your frame. They don't make a horse collect or work off the rear, they just force them into a frame where collection is easier. I personally prefer to get the pretty roundness because my horse has learned to push from the rear into his head, rather than frame him up and then try to create impulsion.
Edited by Three 4 Luck 2015-09-15 8:10 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| rachellyn80 - 2015-09-15 9:42 AM
I prefer a German Martingale over draw reins on most horses. I use the GM with either a short shank twisted three piece Ed Wright or a ring snaffle with a square slow twist.
Draw reins shouldn't be used as single reins, like many seem to want to do. They should always have a secondary direct rein so that you can give your horse an appropriate release and actually teach them something rather than relying on the draw reins for false collection. Learning how to handle double reins is tough, but it works really well.
One of the craziest set-ups I've seen lately is a draw bit with a paracord headstall that already pulls right on the horses lips...and they're using it with draw reins on horses that aren't broke enough to even understand what's being asked. It just looks like a wreck waiting to happen...and I can't imagine how many horses learn to run off in a rig like that.
Agree! I always have a secondary direct rein when working with draw reins. That's also why I prefer the german for other things, because its more of an ask then tell all in one, versus the double rein you have to use with the draw reins to get that ask then tell. They both have their places and uses, but I rarely use draw reins in anything but a snaffle bit. |
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Expert
Posts: 1599
| Totally agree. And 9/10 times clipping in between front legs will promote a forward-heavy horse...I clip to the cinch dees on each side (by by leg). The hardest thing to remember is that you drive INTO the reins while creating a barrier with your hands. Never pull. I just started my 3 year old in draw reins this week, I'll use them for a week and take them off and see where we are at. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1001
Location: Kansas | I am glad I posted this even risking sounding like an idiot.
I recently spent a couple of days with a clinician. She suggested the draw reins, telling me that my problems are coming from my mare riding around on her front end... she had me work in a round pen type area with the reins attached to the sides (cinch) and to the smooth mouth o-ring. The are heavy draw reins with heavy hardware. She suggested working up to the reins being over the pommel and being able to walk trot and lope. She also had suggested in riding in them as much as I could - not with the reins over the pommel that was just to work up to the walk trot and lope.
I admit I do not really know much about draw reins but to me it feels like maybe I am doing a quick fix or short term fix. Also doesn't seem like a healthy nor natural headset to work in every day. I feel like I am just putting her into a position. Is this really going to teach her anything.
Maybe a better question is how do I get the real long term results without using the draw reins? |
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Famous for Not Complaining
Posts: 8848
Location: Broxton, Ga | kscanchsnglaziergal - 2015-09-14 10:47 AM
I am glad I posted this even risking sounding like an idiot.
I recently spent a couple of days with a clinician. She suggested the draw reins, telling me that my problems are coming from my mare riding around on her front end... she had me work in a round pen type area with the reins attached to the sides (cinch) and to the smooth mouth o-ring. The are heavy draw reins with heavy hardware. She suggested working up to the reins being over the pommel and being able to walk trot and lope. She also had suggested in riding in them as much as I could - not with the reins over the pommel that was just to work up to the walk trot and lope.
I admit I do not really know much about draw reins but to me it feels like maybe I am doing a quick fix or short term fix. Also doesn't seem like a healthy nor natural headset to work in every day. I feel like I am just putting her into a position. Is this really going to teach her anything.
Maybe a better question is how do I get the real long term results without using the draw reins?
Hours in the saddle.....IMO.....I more anti draw reins.........think they are a quick adjustment but not a long term fix.....
I start with flexing lateral and vertical standing still .......you will be surprised how much that helps.......and it last......then walking.........especially vertical give and release letting them learn to break at the poll.............
On another note.......some horse are front end no matter what one does........conformation pays a big part and on a horses style......
But getting one lighter broke......breaking at the poll etc sure helps any horse.....
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 Veteran
Posts: 209
| I like using a german martingale, one of my horses was getting a bit front end heavy again so I worked her in that in a snaffle bit for 2 days. I like to do it as needed, I don't like to exclusively ride in one. |
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 Go For It!
Location: Texas |
I personally, am not a fan of draw reins. I think that the German martingale in a better tool to use and I use it often, depending on the horse. If I am at the point of needing draw reins, then I prefer to just bit one up instead. You can get in a real pickle using the draw reins. That being said... I know some people that use them regularly and have had success.
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Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | Barrel racers tend to use draw reins incorrectly all the way around....too short, single rein, attached to the girth, just a bandaid that ultimately won't stick to a larger problem.
Here's Sherry using a German Martingale:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbSF0kFYdUY |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| I know people who like to work young horses on the pattern with draw reins and a draw gag, and that works for them. It really depends on the individual horse. I don't think you are going to get what you think you are going to get from them, just going off what you are needing. I think she would benefit from a german OR a draw gag more than a snaffle and draw reins. Again, this is just my opinion going off what you posted, so take from it what you will.
ETA: Lol I meant or a draw gag, not both. haha opps. I have rode in both before on my older more stubborn horses, but I prefer to use the german with a sweet six to get the best results from them.
Edited by FlyingHigh1454 2015-09-15 1:13 PM
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Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | What exactly would you be looking to accomplish pairing a draw gag with a German martingale though? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| rachellyn80 - 2015-09-15 2:01 PM
What exactly would you be looking to accomplish pairing a draw gag with a German martingale though?
I miswrote it, lol I fixed it. I will use both to get a response out of older, more orney horses that have issues to fix, but not what I meant for this post. |
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Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | FlyingHigh1454 - 2015-09-15 1:13 PM rachellyn80 - 2015-09-15 2:01 PM What exactly would you be looking to accomplish pairing a draw gag with a German martingale though? I miswrote it, lol I fixed it. I will use both to get a response out of older, more orney horses that have issues to fix, but not what I meant for this post.
Gotcha! I've seen it done though...it just doesn't make sense, lol |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 494
| Ive used both draw reins and GM. I like draw reins a lot better and I feel you get more poll, flex, and action with them. I ride the majority of mine in split draw reins and they will definitely get one to stop being heavy on the front end. I always use my draw reins with a divided smooth o-ring and caveson.
Edited by epoh 2015-09-15 3:08 PM
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | I like my draw reins. I will either use them with an o-ring snaffle or as my snaffle rein on a curb bridle. I NEVER use only a draw rein, it's my secondary rein. I will still have my regular reins and primarily use them. The draw rein is just there to remind a horse where to stay. I want them set up like a german martingle, it's just adjusted in my hand. If used properly, they can be really useful. I keep my ring finger between my regular rein and draw rein....you get a different 'feel' from each.
Mine are very light leather - I can't sort out why you would want heavy ones. I don't want the horse to even notice they're on them. There shouldn't be constant pressure on them, everytime there is pressure - drive with your leg to create impulsion and softness.
Edited by MS2011 2015-09-15 3:20 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 509
| I'd like to see a video of how to use two reigns. |
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