20/11/2020
Hi guys🤎
I am attempting to tackle a bit of a controversial topic here so please, no offence is intended we all have our ways of doing things, but I want to discuss running reins and the issues with using them and why to avoid them all together.
Running reins are a low set device , therefore they provide a pull to the bottom jaw encouraging the horse to drop down and tuck its chin under in order to receive a pressure release; the first issue with this is the inability for the horse to travel “through” the next issue is formed by the pressured contact causing incorrect muscling for self carriage, the horse braces its pole and loses muscle in the lower brachiocephalicus and gains it in the upper brachiocephalicus just behind the ears. The horse then moves behind the bit and avoids the contact entirely, therefore is extra light because it has completely backed away from the contact. When the rider then asks for a higher contact; due to the horse being trained with a constant physical support system either side they lose that “contact” and struggle to remain straight and balanced without the rider dropping and widening the hands, holding a physical barrier for them. In some cases it means that you are quite literally pushing them into the bridle and needing an arm full of muscle to hold them there so that they have that support they require. In other cases they simply lose the “contact” entirely, all in all creating a heavy horse that is unable to carry itself.
Remedying this is extremely difficult and requires taking the horse right back to basics and teaching a light soft contact and self carriage without over-bending and sucking back, from scratch.