About: Side Reins

   In the an earlier post we chatted about how to lunge your horse, and a few reasons why you would want to do that. To help your horse get some needed exercise there are many different tools you can use to help them get a workout. Side reins are one of the simplest pieces of equipment you can use. They attach from the bit to the sides of a surcingle. When lunging your horse for exercise, it is also important to protect their legs. Wrapping all four legs can decrease your chance of injury.

   Using side reins is basically the same as riding with consistent contact. As you can see above, Lilly is coming round and accepting the contact from the side reins. If you want to use side reins to help your horse get some productive exercise or want to introduce them to the concept of contact be sure to start with the reins too loose. When using any kind of equipment it is super important that you allow your horse to warm up and get used to the feeling of that equipment. As they warm up, then you can slowly tighten the reins to encourage a more correct way of going.

   If you are wanting your horse to work on their inside bend you can shorten the inside rein just slightly to bring your horse's head to the inside of the circle. Make sure you work both sides evenly. And, if this is a new concept for your horse, only exercise them in short doses. Working them in a new way for too long can get you a very stiff and sore horse. 

   Be sure to check back as we explore other pieces of equipment you can use while lunging or riding your horse! And as always, if you have any questions please feel free to reach out!