When you step into the world of horse training, you quickly realize there’s a specific tool for every job. If you’re asking “What Is A Rein Used To Train A Horse Called?”, you’re on the right track, but the answer isn’t a single name. Instead, it’s an entire category of equipment known as training reins or auxiliary reins. These are specialized pieces of tack designed to assist the trainer in communicating with the horse, encouraging correct posture, and developing balance, both from the ground and in the saddle. Think of them not as shortcuts, but as teaching aids that, when used correctly, can clarify your requests and help the horse understand complex concepts.
Understanding these tools is crucial because misuse can lead to confusion, frustration, and even dangerous situations. The goal is always to create a partnership, and that starts with knowing your equipment. Similar to how understanding the mechanics of a horse training wheel can aid in developing balance, knowing the right rein for the right situation is fundamental. Let’s break down the most common types of training reins and what they’re called.
The Main Types of Training Reins Explained
While there are many gadgets on the market, most professional trainers rely on a few classic, time-tested tools. Each has a specific name and a distinct purpose. Using the wrong one or using the right one incorrectly can do more harm than good.
Side Reins: The Foundational Tool
Side reins are perhaps the most common and universally accepted type of training rein, especially for groundwork.
What they are: Two long, adjustable reins, often with an elastic or rubber donut insert for some give. They clip onto the bit on one end and to the D-rings of a saddle or a lunging surcingle on the other.
What they do: When a horse is being lunged (exercised on a long line in a circle), side reins provide a consistent, gentle contact with the bit. This setup mimics the feel of a rider’s hands. Their purpose is to encourage the horse to seek the contact, relax its jaw, flex at the poll, and lift its back. In short, they teach the horse how to carry itself in a balanced frame without the complexity of a rider’s weight. They are an essential tool for building the topline muscles a horse needs for riding.
Draw Reins (or Running Reins): A Controversial Aid
Draw reins are one of the most debated pieces of equipment in the equestrian world. In expert hands, they can be a corrective tool; in inexperienced hands, they can be harsh and counterproductive.
What they are: A very long single rein that runs from the girth, up through the bit rings, and back to the rider’s hands. This creates a pulley-like action.
What they do: The primary function of draw reins is to apply downward pressure on the bit, encouraging the horse to lower its head and flex at the poll. They are typically used by experienced riders on strong, difficult horses that tend to carry their heads too high or pull against the rider’s hands. The controversy arises because it’s very easy to use them to force a horse’s head into a “frame” through leverage, rather than training the horse to use its body correctly. This can lead to a false outline, a tense back, and a resentful horse. The risk of a horse attacks trainer scenario increases dramatically when tools like these are used with force instead of finesse.
According to equine behaviorist Dr. Sarah Miller, “Draw reins should be a conversation, not a demand. They are designed to suggest a lower head carriage, allowing the horse to discover a more comfortable way of moving. When you use them to force a headset, you shut down communication entirely.”
Lunge Line (or Longe Line): The Essential Ground Rein
While not an “auxiliary rein” in the same way as the others, the lunge line is the primary rein used for most groundwork training.
What it is: A single, very long rein, typically 25 to 30 feet, made of webbing or a soft rope. It attaches to a lunging cavesson or a halter.
What it does: The lunge line is the trainer’s connection to the horse while working it in a circle. It’s not just for letting the horse run around; it’s a sophisticated tool for teaching voice commands, transitions (walk, trot, canter), and assessing the horse’s movement and balance. When used in conjunction with side reins, it becomes a complete system for developing a young or green horse from the ground up.
Long Lines (or Driving Reins): Advanced Groundwork
Long lining, also known as ground driving, is the next step up from lunging and is a crucial part of training for many disciplines, not just for activities like horse and cart racing.
What they are: A pair of long reins, similar to a lunge line but used together. The trainer walks behind the horse, holding one rein in each hand, guiding the horse as if they were riding.
What they do: Long lining teaches a horse everything it needs to know before a rider gets on its back. It develops steering, responsiveness to bit pressure, stopping, and turning. It’s an invaluable tool for building a horse’s confidence and establishing clear communication. For horses that are being trained for specific, complex movements, understanding how to control each part of their body is key. This detailed groundwork is a prerequisite for more advanced skills, which addresses the common question of how do they train horses to high step and perform other specialized maneuvers.
Ethical Use: The Golden Rule of Training Reins
No matter what a rein used to train a horse is called, the most important rule is that it should never be used to force the horse into a position. These tools are meant to guide, suggest, and support. The goal is to develop self-carriage, where the horse learns to carry itself in a balanced and athletic way because it is the most efficient and comfortable way to move, not because it’s being held there by equipment.
Using training reins requires “feel”—an understanding of when to apply pressure and, more importantly, when to release it. The release of pressure is what teaches the horse it has done the right thing. Over-tightening side reins or using constant, heavy contact on draw reins will only create a tense, unhappy, and potentially dangerous animal. The skills learned with these aids are universal, whether you’re looking for a simple trail companion or browsing for western trained horses for sale uk, as a solid foundation is always the priority.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the main difference between side reins and draw reins?
Side reins are primarily used for groundwork (lunging) to teach a horse balance and self-carriage without a rider. Draw reins are used while riding to address specific issues like a high head carriage, but they work on a pulley system and require expert hands to avoid being too severe.
Can a beginner use training reins on their horse?
It is strongly advised that beginners work with an experienced trainer or instructor before using any kind of auxiliary rein. Misuse can easily teach a horse the wrong lessons, create physical problems like a sore back, or even provoke dangerous defensive behaviors.
Are training reins considered cruel?
Like any piece of equipment, a training rein is only as harsh as the hands that hold it. When used correctly—with empathy, knowledge, and for short periods—they are effective and humane training aids. When used to force a horse into a frame through pain or constant pressure, they are absolutely cruel.
How do you fit side reins correctly?
Side reins should be adjusted so that when the horse holds its head in a correct position (with its face just in front of the vertical), there is a soft, consistent contact on the bit. They should never be so short that they pull the horse’s nose into its chest.
What is the most common rein used for training a horse?
For foundational groundwork, the most common setup is a lunge line used in combination with side reins. This combination is a staple in almost every training program, from classical dressage to western pleasure, because it effectively teaches the horse the fundamentals of balance and connection.
Conclusion: The Right Tool for the Right Job
So, what is a rein used to train a horse called? As we’ve seen, it can be called a side rein, a draw rein, a lunge line, or a long line, among other, less common names. Each is a distinct tool with a specific application. The key takeaway is that no single piece of equipment is a magic bullet. True horsemanship is about understanding the horse’s physical and mental needs and choosing the right tool to communicate your lesson clearly and kindly. By focusing on building a strong foundation through ethical and knowledgeable training, you create a willing and happy partner for years to come.
