Why do you lunge a horse in side reins?
Side reins are an effective way to keep your horse’s body straight (especially his outside shoulder) while he’s working on the circle as you longe him. Or, if he’s already straight, side reins adjusted a hole or two shorter on the inside encourage an inside bend on the circle.
How tight should side reins be when lunging?
The side reins should never be so tight that they draw the horse’s head back (Kristen pulls his head down a little as if she was pulling on him on the bridle) or so tight that they pull his head down beyond the vertical or to try and force him into that frame that could eventually break the horse at the third vertebrae …
When should side reins be used?
Side reins are equipment used when longeing a horse, running from the bit of the bridle to the saddle or surcingle. As a horse training tool, they encourage flexion and softness in the horse’s mouth. For longe line work with a rider up who does not carry ordinary riding reins, they help calm and settle the animal.
Can you ride a horse with side reins?
Whatever his body angle, a chicken controls balance by keeping his head and neck perfectly vertical. Hence, stabilizing the horse head and neck with side reins is a chicken theory. The horse, instead, controls balance by moving his head and neck.
What is the donut for on side reins?
Waldhausen Leather Side Reins with Rubber Donut offer just the right give to allow your horse to keep a steady contact and stretch down while lunging.
Where do you put a lunge line?
Another way to attach the lunge line is to run the line through the inside ring, loop it around the bottom of the inside ring, and then run the line under the chin and attach it to the outside ring. If you have a lunging attachment, you can clip the lunge line directly onto that.
How do you use lunge Cavesson?
Fitting a lunge cavesson
- Check that you can slide one finger between your horse’s face and the lunge cavesson.
- The noseband should sit a thumb’s width below the bottom of your horse’s cheekbone.
- The strap that fastens under the jaw keeps the cavesson stable, so it needs to fit snuggly with room for one finger.