Baler Twine Side Reins

[KittySawrus]

Hey hooo, back to lunging Hillie again :D and we have no side reins. We have a roller but no side reins to attach :P but my friend mentioned using bailer twine instead, tying it to the D-rings on the roller and threading it through the centre ring of the cavesson. Has anybody ever done this/can fix it up and take photos so I can see what it looks like? I understand how it would work etc but I don't want to do it wrong. Also not sure how much give should be in the twine (since Hillie doesn't exactly hold herself in a natural outline :p)

Any help welcome :D I can't find any photos on the interwebs and obviously there's nothing in my training/riding books. I understand side reins are most ideal but she isn't my pony to spend money on (unless you count Polo mint money :p) and there's the whole chiro issue for the owner to pay for, so, when you have spare baling twine...it makes sense!

[Buckpoco]

I would do it but make sure you have sturdy elastic somewhere in the side rein...I think a side rein with no give would be rather harsh...Mine are nylon but they have a rubber donut that gives.

[KittySawrus]

I had the same misgivings myself, but my friend is pretty good where training is concerned so I don't think she'd recommend anything harsh. I'll have to play around, not until her back's better though.

[AUEquine]

I don't use baling twine, but i do use rope. I got ride of my side reins a few weeks ago since they were too big. Now I just use an old roping rein that's made of rope. I clip it to the bit and run it through the surcingle. I tied a few knots by the bit ends so I can run it through the bit and clip to the knots for different tensiosn.
I don't like elastic in side reins... makes a grey area for the horse. I want instant release. I want harsh, they get give/release when they give to the presure. And with the rope it's instant, not continued pressure like with elastic.

[KittySawrus]

Hmm, if I had multiple lunging reins that's make sense but I only have one that works :/ so I can't do the clippy thing. But I do like the idea of multiple holes. I'll have to have a play and see what I can make work.

ETA that's a good point on tension/release AU.

[WashingtonBay]

With an english saddle, you can create side reins for lunging using regular braided reins with the buckle in the center, tied to each side with a single knot to the stirrup irons... which you can leave down for a lot of give (the weight of them adds the pressure and releases when they're hanging naturally, or bring the stirrups up half-way (like you would to stow them) or all the way for less give. Does that make sense or do you need a visual ;)?

[KittySawrus]

I get the second half. But not sure how you'd tie the reins to the irons? If you could get a visual that'd be very much appreciated :)

[WashingtonBay]

Just a simple knot. Depends a little on how long the reins are. :)

[Tiz]

I don't like elastic in side reins... makes a grey area for the horse. I want instant release. I want harsh, they get give/release when they give to the presure. And with the rope it's instant, not continued pressure like with elastic.

I agree. I want Yes and No.

When you are considering things such as side reins, or any gear in general, remember what the function is. That will free your mind to use whatever you have handy to accomplish the task.

Twine works. It's always laying around, so easy to grab. I tie off to the saddle and run the other end to the bit, and tie a quick release slip knot there. Easy to readjust, or get loose if something comes up, that way.

[KittySawrus]

WB - Would you tie the knot to the reins whilst the reins are buckled or unbuckled? It may seem like a really daft question :p but I dunno how the baler twine would stay attached to an unbuckled rein. Also when tying to the stirrups, if they're rolled down, do you fasten the stirrups to the horse's side with a spare bit of leather under the horse's belly to stop them swinging around? I read that somewhere...otherwise I suppose there's just be this sawing motion on the horse's mouth.

Tiz - Tie off to which bit? The stirrups like WB suggested? Will definitely remember the quick release knot point.

[Tiz]

Which bit? I think I forgot your original post info. If I'm lunging with side reins, it's with a bridle(snaffle bit) and saddle.

I don't really like WB's stirrup idea, for the same reason I don't use stretchy materials for bitting back. Using stirrups gives way too much play in the set up, and could potentially let the horse learn to put up with the constant weight of them on the bit. That leads to leather mouth.:)

[WashingtonBay]

It's not a bad way to start them out with the idea of side reins, without risk of overly restricting them. It's not as effective as real side reins, but they also won't panic in it.

To each each's own :)

[natisha]

Side reins made easy: Get a long-ish piece of rope, clothes line rope works well.
Fold the rope in half, slip a snap on the rope & let it fall to the bend in the rope when you hold the two ends up.

Tie knots in the rope at 2-3 inch increments, starting about where the first rings on a German martingale would be. Attach another snap to the other end (this will snap onto your saddle ring or surcingle)

Run the loop end snap through the bit & attach it to one of the openings between the knots. This makes it super easy to adjust the reins as desired.

I hope this was clear. If not when HE gets home I'll be able to use paint to make a drawing.

[vicklynn]

I agree with AUEquine and Tiz, I want yes and no.

[Tiz]

Side reins made easy: Get a long-ish piece of rope, clothes line rope works well.
Fold the rope in half, slip a snap on the rope & let it fall to the bend in the rope when you hold the two ends up.

Tie knots in the rope at 2-3 inch increments, starting about where the first rings on a German martingale would be. Attach another snap to the other end (this will snap onto your saddle ring or surcingle)

Run the loop end snap through the bit & attach it to one of the openings between the knots. This makes it super easy to adjust the reins as desired.

I hope this was clear. If not when HE gets home I'll be able to use paint to make a drawing.

You lost me. Click on Start, then go to All Programs, then choose Accessories from the list, then click Paint. There's a little pencil in all the symbols on the right side of the screen. Click it and it appears on the blank page, and you can draw with it by moving your mouse around.

[OwnedByOurHorses]

You lost me. Click on Start, then go to All Programs, then choose Accessories from the list, then click Paint. There's a little pencil in all the symbols on the right side of the screen. Click it and it appears on the blank page, and you can draw with it by moving your mouse around.

I think this is what Natisha is talking about. It's very simple,cheap and gives a great yes/no signal

http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=1416&pictureid=21036

[AppyLady]

I think I understand what Natisha is saying. Great idea! I'm going to try it.

[KittySawrus]

Really like that idea natisha but this bit lost me:

Fold the rope in half, slip a snap on the rope & let it fall to the bend in the rope when you hold the two ends up.


Thanks for the diagram OBOH :) and for all the responses and ideas guys!

[Tiz]

I think this is what Natisha is talking about. It's very simple,cheap and gives a great yes/no signal

http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=1416&pictureid=21036


Good, simple idea. I was getting fouled up thinking it was going to be for both sides, for some reason.

[natisha]

I think this is what Natisha is talking about. It's very simple,cheap and gives a great yes/no signal

http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=1416&pictureid=21036Yes that's it. Sorry I had to work but you did it just right.:)
The reason to have the rope doubled back on itself is so it is easy to change the tightness by snapping the bit end snap to only one piece of rope between the knots.

[OwnedByOurHorses]

Yes that's it. Sorry I had to work but you did it just right.:)
The reason to have the rope doubled back on itself is so it is easy to change the tightness by snapping the bit end snap to only one piece of rope between the knots.

I figured what you were saying . I have one I made 8 years ago still going strong and it's just make out of a old nylon clothes line.