Reins & Auxiliary Reins: For a Secure and Relaxed Contact

Reins & Auxiliary Reins: Fine Communication and Safe Training

The connection between the rider's hand and the horse's mouth is one of the most important elements in riding. It should always be soft, elastic, and based on mutual trust. In addition to classic reins, which serve as direct "steering," various auxiliary reins are often used in horse training. These support the horse in finding its balance, building the right muscles, or serve as a safety net in correction phases.

Which Auxiliary Rein Serves Which Purpose?

Auxiliary reins can be roughly divided into two categories: those that offer the horse's mouth a fixed, unchangeable boundary, and those that show the horse the way down through a sliding mechanism.

• Rigid Boundaries: Auxiliary reins like classic side reins provide a clear frame. They are excellent for vaulting or beginner lessons, as the horse feels a steady contact that it can confidently step into.
• Sliding Mechanism: Triangle reins (Vienna reins) glide through the bit rings. They frame the horse laterally but immediately yield as soon as the horse drops its neck. This makes them the first choice when lunging.
• For Safety and Professionals: A martingale or breastplate protects rider and horse in the countryside or the arena without restricting the basic posture. High-level correction tools like draw reins multiply the power of the rider's hand and belong exclusively in the hands of absolute professionals.

Basic Rules for the Use of Auxiliary Reins

Auxiliary reins should always be temporary helpers and never serve to force a horse into a certain shape. An auxiliary rein that is buckled too short blocks the back, forces the horse behind the vertical, and leads to massive tension. At the latest, when the horse learns to step truly over the back onto the bit, the auxiliary rein becomes obsolete.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should you completely dispense with auxiliary reins?
When jumping and hacking out, side reins and triangle reins are absolutely taboo! If a horse trips, it must be able to use its neck freely to balance. Only breastplates and running martingales are allowed outdoors or over jumps.

How do I warm up a horse properly with auxiliary reins?
In the first 10 to 15 minutes at the walk, auxiliary reins (with the exception of the martingale) must always remain unbuckled! The horse needs the extreme pendulum movement of the head to be able to stride out in a relaxed manner at the walk.

Which reins are best for beginners?
For riding beginners, classic web reins with sewn-on leather stops are the best choice. The stops prevent slipping and help the rider maintain exactly the same rein length on both sides.