What riders say about our draw reins
The length is just right and the leather area feels comfortable in the hand. Nothing feels stiff or slippery.
— Trusted Shops Review
Ordered on the recommendation of my trainer and have since used them several times. The workmanship is clean and the reins do not feel unnecessarily heavy in the hand.
— Trusted Shops Review
Additional support, no forced head posture
Draw reins run from the girth through the bit rings back to the rider's hand and supplement the standard rein. This allows the leverage to be specifically limited when the head is raised high. A sensitive hand is crucial: as soon as the horse offers a self-carried, stable contact, the draw reins should be significantly released and not permanently dictate the head-neck position.
When can draw reins be useful?
Draw reins should always be used only as a supplement. They can be helpful in the context of targeted corrective work, but they do not replace training or the investigation of underlying causes.
- In case of excessive head tossing: If a horse repeatedly lifts its head out of the contact, draw reins can limit the upward movement without being constantly engaged.
- For time-limited corrective work: Draw reins are not a long-term solution, but can be used selectively when an experienced rider wishes to specifically support a particular training phase.
- Only in conjunction with normal reins: The regular contact must be maintained through the standard reins. Draw reins are only an addition and should not take over the guiding of the reins entirely.
- With a sufficiently steady rider's hand: Because the redirection through the bit ring can significantly amplify the effect, an independent, delicately dosed hand is particularly important.
- After ruling out physical causes: Resistance to the rein contact can also be caused by teeth, back issues, saddle fit, or other discomforts. Such causes should not be masked by the effect of auxiliary reins.
The benefits of correctly used draw reins
The benefit does not come from as much tension as possible, but rather from a targeted, temporary limitation. When used correctly, the regular rein remains leading, and the draw rein only becomes active when additional support is required.
Targeted upper limit
The draw rein can limit an excessive lifting of the head and assist in the return to a controllable rein contact.
Health precautions can be resolved immediately.
As soon as the horse gives in and carries itself, the rider can immediately loosen the draw reins. This means the aid does not need to be applied continuously.
Standard rein remains the leader
Both reins are held separately. This maintains the regular rein aids, with the draw rein only being used as needed.
Finely adjustable auxiliary aid
By using separate rein control, the experienced rider can determine very precisely when and how strongly the draw rein exerts any influence at all
Support during specific training phases
When used for targeted corrective work, the draw rein can temporarily provide additional guidance without becoming a permanent part of the training.
Direct contact with the horse's mouth
The tension is immediately palpable in the hand. This allows the rider to recognize whether the draw rein is currently having an effect or is already remaining slack.
Why draw reins can have a stronger effect than regular reins
With a standard rein, the force is applied directly from the rider's hand to the bit. With draw reins, however, the rein is redirected through the bit ring and then led back to the hand. This changes the direction of the force, and a small movement of the hand can create a significantly stronger effect on the bit. This is precisely why draw reins must be held separately from the regular reins and applied with great sensitivity. Too much tension can shorten the neck and cause the horse to come behind the vertical instead of encouraging an honest, self-carried connection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about draw reins
How do draw reins work?
They are attached to the girth, passed through the bit rings, and taken back to the rider's hand. This creates an additional, redirected rein connection that can limit upward head movement when needed.
Who should use draw reins?
Only for experienced riders with a quiet, independent hand. Due to the redirection, even a small movement can be transmitted to the bit much more strongly than with a standard rein.
Are draw reins used instead of regular reins?
No. The regular rein remains the main connection to the horse. Draw reins are handled additionally and separately and should only take up tension when their limiting effect is actually needed.
How tight should draw reins be adjusted?
You should not be under constant tension when maintaining a natural, self-carried head and neck position. If the draw rein is constantly engaged, it dictates the posture too strongly and loses its function as a selective supplementary aid.
Can draw reins establish a correct contact?
Not alone. A stable contact is created through balance, activity of the hindquarters, suppleness, and appropriate rider aids. Draw reins can only supplement temporarily and must not replace this training work.
When should I not use draw reins?
Not for inexperienced riders, not as a permanent solution, and not to mask pain or training issues. If a horse suddenly shows strong resistance to the rein contact, possible physical or equipment-related causes should be checked first.