FAQ about Auxiliary Reins

1. When are auxiliary reins not useful?

2. Which is better – side reins or running side reins?

3. Which auxiliary reins are suitable for western riding?

4. Which auxiliary reins are suitable for jumping?

5. Which auxiliary reins are permitted in dressage?

6. Which auxiliary reins are suitable for beginners?

7. Can you hack with auxiliary reins?

8. Which auxiliary reins help against rearing / bucking?

9. Can I attach auxiliary reins to a cavesson?

1. When are auxiliary reins not useful?

It is often said that a good rider does not need auxiliary reins. This is because they know how to exercise the horse correctly in order to achieve a forward-downward posture with active hindquarters. Auxiliary reins are not useful in the following scenarios:

• As a permanent solution. Permanent use should be avoided
• As an accelerator to achieve training goals more quickly
• As an act of desperation when you don’t know what else to do
• When used without a specific training goal and without a plan to achieve it
• If the user has not familiarised themselves with the effect of auxiliary reins; or when a lack of experience cannot be compensated for by expert advice.
• When the horse is not warmed up
• When the horse has not yet learnt to balance itself
• With a young horse that is not yet able to bend, flex or stretch
• To prevent a horse from bucking, rearing or bolting. If the auxiliary reins are correctly attached, they cannot hold the horse back. In addition: Auxiliary reins are a danger when horses are rearing!

We have taken a closer look at when auxiliary reins can be useful in the chapter “Advantages and risks of auxiliary reins“ and in the chapter “Working correctly with auxiliary reins“.

2. Which is better – side reins or running side reins?

Side reins are rigid auxiliary reins that do not give way. There is a risk that the horse will lean down on the bit and use the side reins as support. In the worst case scenario, rearing, unbalanced or fresh horses can fall when using side reins. For this reason, side reins are not the auxiliary reins of choice when it comes to training young horses.

If the focus is on the rider and improving their seat, then the side reins can certainly be useful. However, they are less useful for exercising the horse.

Running side reins, on the other hand, allow more freedom of movement as the straps slide through the bit rings and are not rigidly attached there. This also allows the horse to stretch forwards. But even here the stretch is limited. If the horse lowers its head to below the point of its shoulder, its head is behind the vertical.

Running side reins have a further advantage over side reins: The horse cannot lean down on the bit and does not use them as training wheels. The horse needs more balance, which is why running reins are preferable to side reins for exercising the horse. As an alternative to running side reins, you can use a Lauffer reins. These offer even more possibilities in terms of buckling and therefore training.

You can find more detailed descriptions of the advantages and mode of action of the individual auxiliary reins in the guide on types of auxiliary reins.

3. Which auxiliary reins are suitable for western riding?

Training aids are also used in Western riding to provide measured aids. With martingales or training forks, draw reins and German reins, the variety is smaller than in English riding.

The most popular auxiliary reins in Western sport is the German martingale or German reins. This is comparable to the English Market Harborough. A leather strap is attached to the centre of the girth and splits into two (nylon) straps with carabiners in front of the chest. These are pulled through the bit rings from the inside to the outside and attached to the reins using eyelets. The length must be chosen so that the German Martingale supports the rein pull, but does not reinforce it in such a way that the horse’s mouth is pulled onto the chest.

As with all auxiliary reins, they are used exclusively with a snaffle bit with rings in Western sport. Bits with shanks are out of place with auxiliary reins.

You can find out how martingales & co. are buckled and how they work in the guide on types of auxiliary reins.

4. Which auxiliary reins are suitable for jumping?

When showjumping, only standing and running martingales are permitted (in competitions). The martingale prevents the rider from losing contact and therefore control of the horse on the course. This protects the rider from possible head injuries if their head collides with the horse’s head bouncing upwards.

In show jumping, breastplates are often used in combination with martingales. Breastplates prevent the saddle from slipping backwards when jumping.

The running martingale can be used in showjumping and cross-country. The standing martingale can only be used in showjumping. All other auxiliary reins are taboo for the jump course and cross-country due to the risk of falling!

The Market Harborough is also used in jumping training. It reinforces the aids more than a martingale, but less than draw reins.

5. Which auxiliary reins are permitted in dressage?

In British Dressage, auxiliary reins are generally not permitted. Breastplates are permitted.

Lead rein classes: No auxiliary reins are permitted.

6. Which auxiliary reins are suitable for beginners?

Beginners in horse training or horse owners who have never worked with auxiliary reins before should have a specialist at their side. Lauffer reins are particularly suitable for such beginners, as they can be used in a variety of ways and also give the horse plenty of room to manoeuvre.

For newcomers to equestrian sport who still need to find their balance on the lunge without reins, side reins are suitable. These allow the horse to find a steady rhythm, which makes it easier for beginners to keep their balance. Side reins also give a feeling of security.

Running side reins and Lauffer reins are suitable for novice riders who already have a balanced, largely rein-independent seat but are unable to ride the horse sufficiently from back to front towards the bit.

You can find more information on which auxiliary reins are suitable for beginners in our guide to types of auxiliary reins.

7. Can you hack with auxiliary reins?

With the exception of the running martingale, auxiliary reins are absolutely taboo outside of the arena. Even if it is very tempting to slow down a strong horse with the help of side reins or draw reins, the risk of falling is too great. Auxiliary reins restrict the movement of the neck and thus prevent the horse from balancing itself on uneven ground.

8. Which auxiliary reins help against rearing / bucking?

The same applies to auxiliary reins for rearing or bucking horses as for auxiliary reins outside of the arena: they are a danger to the safety of man and horse. Auxiliary reins can restrict the horse to such an extent that it loses its balance when bucking and falls. Rearing horses even run the risk of falling over backwards. Correctly buckled auxiliary reins cannot prevent bucking or rearing.

As a better solution, the horse should be given the opportunity to get rid of excess energy before work, for example by lungeing – without auxiliary reins. The origin of these violent reactions must also be clarified. A vet, osteopath or physiotherapist may need to be consulted and the equipment checked for fit.

9. Can I attach auxiliary reins to a cavesson?

A cavesson is an important piece of equipment, especially for groundwork and lungeing. It allows the horse to stretch forwards and downwards, enables fluid rein changes without having to unbuckle and teaches the horse to bend and flex in a curved line. It also offers the option of using auxiliary reins and reins in a way that is particularly gentle on the mouth. This is because while the auxiliary reins are attached to the bit, the lunge rein is attached to the cavesson. The even pressure of the auxiliary reins acts on the mouth, while the pull of the lunge rein is centred on the bridge of the nose. This is gentle on the horse’s mouth and the entire musculature and makes it easier to find balance. Young horses in particular benefit from this type of work.

You can find even more suggestions for groundwork in our guide to groundwork.