Help for beginners
Auxiliary reins for horses
Auxiliary reins are pieces of equipment that, in combination with the reins, can influence the horse's head and neck carriage. At Lepona you will find side reins, triangular reins, Lauffer reins, martingales, breastplates and other auxiliary reins for horse and pony. What matters is considered use: auxiliary reins are no substitute for training. How the individual types work is explained in our guide Auxiliary reins for horses explained.
Which auxiliary reins are there?
Auxiliary reins come in various designs. They differ in where they are attached to the girth, how they are led to the bit and how they act on the horse. Which auxiliary rein suits you and your horse depends on the horse, its level of training, the rider and the purpose. It is best to ask your riding instructor or trainer for advice. You will find a detailed explanation with advantages and disadvantages in our guide Auxiliary reins for horses explained.
Auxiliary reins at a glance
- Side reins (Ausbinder): two separate reins that are attached on the left and right between the bit ring and the girth. In the shop they are available, for example, in leather or in colour variants.
- Triangular reins (Vienna reins): a strap that runs between the front legs to the girth, forks in front of the chest and is led through the bit rings. Triangular reins are also often used for lunging.
- Lauffer reins (Phillips reins): two separate straps made of leather or nylon that can be adjusted variably.
- Martingale: used mainly in show jumping and cross-country. There are running ring martingales and martingales with a fork. Among the auxiliary reins, the martingale occupies a special position.
- Breastplate: is attached to the girth and runs across the chest. The shop offers numerous models, including with a bridge.
- Other auxiliary reins: Depending on stock, you will also find Thiedemann or charcoal burner's reins, neck extenders, loop reins as well as Chambon and Gogue. For these types in particular: ask your trainer for advice before use and find out about the regulations of your association or organiser.
Using auxiliary reins safely
According to our guide, auxiliary reins are only buckled on after warming up and are taken off when out hacking, with the exception of the martingale. The rider should be so fine in feel and hand that they also give when the horse gives. The horse should not be forced into a posture and fixed there. Have an experienced rider or trainer guide you the first time you use them. Check the applicable regulations before use in training or at a show.
Sizes, colours and material
In the shop you will find auxiliary reins in the sizes Warmblut, Cob, Pony, OVER and Shetty. The size designation is a guide; the measurements are given with the item. Auxiliary reins are available in black and brown, among other colours. The material details are given with the item. Always check the length on the horse.
Brands at a glance
In this category you will find auxiliary reins from Dyon, Kavalkade, BR, QHP, Waldhausen, Premiere, Passier and STAR, among others. Filter the category by manufacturer to find your preferred model more quickly.
Matching accessories
Auxiliary reins are attached to the girth and led through the bit rings. You will also find matching reins and bits with us. For lunging, take a look at the lunging accessories.
Advice
Not sure which auxiliary rein suits you and your horse? We are happy to advise you by phone, WhatsApp or video. For the question of whether and how to use auxiliary reins, your riding instructor or trainer is the right person to ask.
Common types include side reins, triangle reins, Lauffer reins, martingale, Thiedemann or Köhler reins, neck stretchers, draw reins as well as Chambon and Gogue. There is also the breastplate. They differ in construction and use. An overview with pros and cons is in our guide “Training aids for horses explained”.
Side reins consist of two separate reins that are attached left and right between the bit ring and the girth. The triangle rein has a strap that runs between the front legs to the girth, forks in front of the chest and is threaded through the bit rings. Both types are also often used when lunging. Which one suits you, please discuss with your riding instructor or trainer.
That cannot be said in general. Training aids do not replace training of seat, hand and aids. Whether and which training aid makes sense in your case should be assessed by your riding instructor or trainer based on horse and rider.
The martingale is used mainly in show jumping and cross-country. There are running ring martingales and martingales with a fork. Among the auxiliary reins, it occupies a special position. In our Martingale category you will find the models in the shop.
That depends on the federation, event and class. The rules can differ and change. Please check the current schedule and your federation's rulebook before use.
In the shop you will find training aids in the sizes Warmblood, Cob, Pony, OVER and Shetty. The label is only a guide. Compare the measurements in the article with your horse. Training aids can usually be adjusted in length; we are happy to advise you on the choice.