CLINIC Auxiliary Reins and Gadgets Are they useful devices or evil contraptions? BY GERHARD POUTZ Alr• AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW IF to the bit and bridle because doing so mouth in order to "get him on the bit." you've browsed through a tack is kinder on the horse's mouth. Your The instructor can then ask the rider shop or an equestrian-products horses conformation and his response to gradually take a light contact and catalog, there are many varieties of to the auxiliary rein—as well as the to feel the way the horse responds to auxiliary reins and training -gadgets." handler's experience—will determine the driving aids by going more into the Some of these devices can be useful if which type is best for him. If you're connection. In this way, the rider gains applied correctly, but many times they not sure, check with a knowledgeable a rudimentary understanding of the arc misused or overused. In this arti- trainer. coordination of the aids without caus- cle, I'll describe the purposes of and ing the horse discomfort by pulling on differences among the most commonly the reins. used devices: standard side reins, slid- It is not the Usc of auxiliary reins is recom- ing side reins, draw reins, the cham- mended for seat and position lessons bon, the Gogue, and the overcheck. devices themselves as well. Even when beginner riders have that cause had a good preliminary education on Before We Begin the lunge line, it's wise for the instruc- A properly fitted bridle is of the utmost problems, but tor to outfit the horse with side reins importance when using any type of and a safety strap attached to the pom- auxiliary rein. Pay particular attention rather the people mel or a breastplate so that the rider to the placement of the bit, which, as has something other than the horse's in starting a young horse, should sir a who use them mouth to grab if he or she becomes in- little higher in the mouth instead of incorrectly. secure in the saddle. too low; and to the snugness of the noseband. These considerations arc es- Types of Auxiliary Reins pecially important if the horse is a Be aware that standard side reins Standard side reins, which attach to reschooling project with a faulty con- (which I'll describe in a minute) are the the bit rings and to the sides of the girth nection over the topline, a tongue prob- only type of auxiliary reins legal for use or surcingle, are the correct choice for lem, or both. Familiarize the horse with when lungeing on the grounds of a USA horses with normal conformation and any auxiliary reins very gradually, and Equestrian/USDF-recognized dressage those that do not require specialized adjust them such that they do not con- show. The reason for this is that, prop- work. Some riders attach them to the strict him or create a “head set," as erly used, other types of auxiliary reins girth between the horse's front legs, a this may cause panic and the resulting eventually develop the horse to the point practice that is both unsafe—a horse short- or even long-term disastrous re- that he goes correctly in ordinary sidc could catch a leg in them—and illegal sults. The purpose of auxiliary reins is reins and—most important—that he under USA Equestrian rules. What's to encourage, not to force. goes better under saddle. more, the between-the-legs arrange- Always use auxiliary reins when you Instructors are advised to use either ment actually can be detrimental to the lunge your horse. I strongly recom- traditional or sliding side reins on training because it can cause the mus- mend using a special lungeing caves- horses piloted by beginner riders in or- cles in the horse's lower nea to tighten son instead of attaching the lunge line der to protect the horses' mouths and or the horse to brace against the con- to encourage the horses to use their tact or to resist accepting the bit. Adapted from the USOF Dressalze M.Ducii. Lex- toplines. Thus aided, the rider can con- Standard side reins with elastic in- ington, KY: U.S. Dressage Federation, 1996. Available from USDF at www.usdf.otg iclick on centrate on the driving aids and not serts are useful only while the young or the -Store* link1 or by calling (859) 271-7892_ become preoccupied with the horse's green horse is being accustomed to bit- USDF CONNECTION I DECENIBER 2002 21 CLINIC ting and lungeing and should no longer be used after he has this process to have the desired effect. Used in this manner, begun to accept some form of contact. The connection draw reins and sliding side reins pursue the same goals and achieved with elastic-insert side reins is too volatile to be of can be beneficial in the training of the horse. use in advanced work, and some horses even learn to kin If you use draw reins to -pull your horse together," how- or poke their noses against them. ever, you will cause serious damage to your horsc's way of Side reins with rubber donuts are the most popular type going. Not only will he become set in his jaw and hard of standard side reins and are quite appropriate for any or- his mouth, which may result in tongue problems. but his dinary work. The buffer effect of the donuts makes them use- neck also will develop a broken line between the third and ful in lessons with beginner riders as well. However, when fourth vertebrae. a horse becomes more advanced and learns to accept the Even more damaging is to ride with draw reins attached bit without reservation, only plain side reins, with neither to die sides of the girth instead of between the horses front elastic nor rubber donuts, should be used. This is especially legs. This arrangement, which usually is used to "keep the important for work in hand. horse together in a frame," teaches him to brace against There are two versions of another type of side reins, the device and to go in false elevation, with the muscles on known as sliding side reins. One is Y-shaped and attaches at the underside of his neck bulging. This "frame" prevents the girth between the front legs, then divides and runs through him from using his topline and also allows him to seek a the bit rings to the sides of the girth or surcingle. The other multitude of subtle evasions that eventually will prohibit consists of two separate pieces, which allows for a variety true collection. of triangular methods of attachment. Because sliding side reins are not fixed at the bit rings and therefore do not tighten "Gadgets" as the horse tries to change the position of his head and Whereas the auxiliary reins I've discussed act directly on neck, they encourage him to stretch forward and down. the bit and therefore only on the horse's mouth, the chain- Sliding side reins can be invaluable in developing the bon and the Gogue (named for its inventor, the Frenchman musculature of horses with conformational shortcomings Rene de Gogue) also exert pressure on the poll. Some horses and in the training of reschooling projects that refuse to respond well to this, but these gadgets must be introduced use their backs correctly. Especially if they are used in con- junction with work over ground poles, sliding side reins svry carefully because a horse may panic the first time he are excellent devices for teaching horses to work over their feels poll pressure. toplines. The two-piece type is suitable for a number of Both the chambon and the Gogue are designed to stretch other purposes as well. including beginner lessons and in- the horse over his topline and to strengthen his back. They hand %vork. can be pa rticularl helpful used in combination with work over ground poles. (In Europe, these gadgets are used pri- marily in schooling jumpers.) One serious drawback to their use is the fact that, because of the lack of sideways restriction, horses may develop a tendency to 'fall through" the outside shoulder while being lunged. The ch am bon runs through the reins from the headpiece The accommoJiming action of &ding %icie reins at the poll and snaps on to the bit rings. When the horse Draw reins are much maligned and indeed can cause lifts his head, the bit acts as a gag; and the combined pres- damage if they are used for the wrong reasons. To quote a sure on the poll and on the corners of the mouth induce European authority: "Draw reins are like a razor in the him to stretch forward and down. One drawback to the hands of a monkey:* Nevertheless, they can be helpful in chambon's use is that, when the horse stretches forward training horses with conformation problems, with overly and down, there is no contact with the bit. Therefore, chain- developed muscles on the underside of their necks, or with bon use is not recommended while riding. locked backs as a result of faulty riding_ Properly fined be- Because the Gogue has no fixed attachment to the bit, its tween the front legs, draw reins encourage the horse to arch action on the mouth is different. According to Rene de his back and loins, stretching over his topline and develop- Gogue, one can maintain contact with the bit while using ing correct neck musculature.