Side Reins

trust me im overwhelmed when I look at the instructions as well but im sure between me and all the other people around I should be able to figure it out :)

As a prelude to the pessoa I started lunging today with side reins. My opinion id that they don't need to be fancy . The ones I used were borrowed from a friend and I think they are about 15 years old lol they are made of what looks like synthetic material and have very little give in them. They seemed to act just like my hands would when holding the reins by creating a form of wall if they pull against it. I was thinking while lunging that you could even attach reins to your saddle to create side reins in a pinch.

I've also heard that the elastic reins give too much give and the horse can pull against them quite easily.

Once I get the pessoa going I will take detailed pictures on how I set it up. That may help anyone interested in getting the system but are overwhelmed by it all :)

I read that too Jazzy, about the elastic ones. And I also read that the donut one can annoy a horse at the trot and canter. I definitely like Sara's idea, and the german martingale. Just got to find out how i'm doing it all.

Side reins work also; but I've read alot of posts/replys on how confusing the pessoa is? I've found it very easy to use, but I just use my trainers so its all set up, so we just adjust it to each horse...but still, it's actually very easy to understand once you get the hang of it; but don't over use it...

I've used side reins before; & I like the leather ones with donuts on them. I"ve never used the elastic ones, so I don't know how those work. But my old trainer had nylon [like the halter material, but thinner] ones with donuts, & I personally didn't like those that much. But that's just my opinion. But side reins can be as dangerous as the pessoa system if not used correctly. & they don't help the hind quarters engage more, its works more on getting a headset, while the pessoa works on the entire top-line, headset, and engaging the hindquarters.

From what I've read online, the sliding side reins to help with the top line, and help the horse relax too. I did like the pessoa, but it doesn't come with the surgical or the lunge caveson, which means I'd have to buy that. I did find this balace complete training system at doversaddlery.com

http://www.doversaddlery.com/balance...-30141/cn/109/

But I don't know what will be best for my horse. I don't know how she'll act with something on her rump. Any ideas what to do?

I'd still reccommend them. If you do try it though, get the solid black rubber kind, the others are too easy to stretch.

Its a good suggestion. Thanks Tim!

This is just my two cents worth.............I like the donut kind too. I just bought a pair off ebay and they were less than $20 shipped. I couldn't find them locally for under $25-30. I've gotten alot of good deals on tack on ebay recently, both new and used. You just need to know what you're looking for. :)

Thats so very true about knowing what you're looking for. I found what I will be needing on doversaddlery.com The only bad thing is that the sliding side reins are out of stock til the 18th. But I know I wont be lunging her until it is de-iced (even though there's an indoor ring, policy is no lunging... its horse poo if you ask me) So I might go with them, or find what I need somewhere else... ebay's looking like a great option. Thanks Bucky!

Why can't you lunge in the indoor?

Thats just a policy at the place where I board. There's a sign before the indoor ring that says no lunging or loose horses in the arena.