How to use side reins?

[Shirehill]

I'm Shirehill's daughter and I was wondering what exactly side reins are used for. I'm training my colt and I got side reins for x-mas. Are they some thing I could start using right now? My colt is 10 months old.

[JowAngel]

I'm not experienced in the training of young horses, but I would not see any good reason to be using them now. At 10 months, I would be focusing mostly on groundwork and respect in all forms. Not working them or trying to develop muscles.

I use sidereins on my 13 yr old gelding to improve his condition. He already accepts the bit quite well, but needs to improve his balance at the canter which I find it can be easier for him to do this without me on his back at first, then when I get on we have a better starting point. I'm not a huge fan of side reins because they do not have any "give" to them, but out of the other gadgets, I like them for their simplicity.

For a young horse being prepared to break to saddle, I would focus more on ground driving to teach them the bit/bridle and aids from the ground. But even so, 10 months seems too young for that work as well.

[Shirehill]

Thanks, I should have said next spring I will start him under saddle and all that good stuff. I have started driving him with just a halter and he caught on really quickly. I will work on the ground more until he knows how to do every thing really good.

[Apps4Life]

I'm sorry, but do you mean next spring as in 2010 when he'll only be 12 months? Don't you think that's a little early to be saddle breaking this colt? I don't want to get down on you or anything, but he's just a baby. You may want to look into texts on growing horses and when they're joints finish. You may be a bit surprised as to what it says.

Are you looking to train this horse for a futurity? I'm just really wondering why you're rushing?

As for the question about side reins. I would hold off. Side reins, when used properly tend to be more of a finishing tool. With a young horse you want them to get used to moving first (impulsion) and properly holding themselves before we start messing with them. If you start with side reins, your colt may learn how to lean on them for a false frame.

I also have an 8 month old colt and putting together his training plans. Our current focus is ground manners, respect, and giving to pressure. He knows how to lead, tie, give his feet for trimming, yield his forequarters, yield his hindquarters, vertical and lateral flexion. We're currently working on a bit of patience and standing, but only at 15 minute intervals because he has the attention span of a gnat.. like most babies.

[Shirehill]

Yea, I didn't mean riding him yet, just saddle breaking and driving. I should have worded it better. You are not supposed to ride until they are 2, right?

[Evrgrn Mercury]

I would wait till they are 3 or 4 yrs old before getting in the saddle, when they are 2 you can lunge and sack out and ground drive and get them use to a saddle and bridle , but hold off getting on till at least 3 yrs old.

[RampantLion]

I think my ideas might contradict what Apps4life said..I would not consider side reins as a finishing tool. In the work that we ask of our horses, we use side reins in longing shortly after getting them used to the longing arena and bridle and surcingle in order to start out in a correct way. The thing you must make sure is that the sidereins are very loose (just encouraging the horse to lower their head and neck to come over their back and stretch down) and that you keep them very forward and coming up with their hind legs. Otherwise you will come into teaching a false frame like said before. Everyone has a different opinion on side reins as with any other tools, but that is my experience for ya! That said, the commonality depends on what discipline you are pursuing and keep in mind, this is not the only use for sidereins. Hope that helps. xxx

[MaggieSue]

The way I use them is this...it teaches them to go forward into the pressure of the bit. This way, when you get on them, and they feel the pressure in their mouth, you can encourage them forward from the ground a whole lot easier, then when you ride, and you pick up the reins they won't go flying backwards.
it will also teach them to 'give' to the bit...if you make the inside shorter, they cannot 'lean' on it-and it will encourage an inside bend.
MANY will disagree with this-but it has always worked for me.

[Hoosier Jumper]

The way I use them is this...it teaches them to go forward into the pressure of the bit. This way, when you get on them, and they feel the pressure in their mouth, you can encourage them forward from the ground a whole lot easier, then when you ride, and you pick up the reins they won't go flying backwards.
it will also teach them to 'give' to the bit...if you make the inside shorter, they cannot 'lean' on it-and it will encourage an inside bend.
MANY will disagree with this-but it has always worked for me.

I agree with everything you just said! I have seen people use side reins as ways to place the horses head in a position and then lundge them. I use side reins sometimes when I ludge my horses and they have all responded well to them.

[Auzzie Honey]

When used correctly they can be benifitial. However, before using them I really recommend you do your research. Before using any gadget, you should research into it.

Deffinately get someone who help you with it first

I know it's been said, but try not to rush the training of a young horse. Lunging puts stress on the growing joints, muscles and the brain. The longer you let your horse be a horse, the better it'll be in the future.