Types, application, advantages & disadvantages
Auxiliary reins for horses explained
Auxiliary reins (or side reins) are intended to support the novice rider. Of course, the novice is not immediately correctly balanced, cannot ride the horse in correct contact, and in most cases the seat is lacking too. Correct hand position, correct seat, correct aids and then also looking where you are riding. All of this can overwhelm a new rider at first. Auxiliary reins are meant to help the rider feel and learn the correct seat. Because if the horse is limited in front by the auxiliary rein, the rider can at first concentrate only on the seat. In the best case, the horse should then also round its back and let its neck drop.
Whether triangular reins, side reins, Lauffer reins or Chambon – the auxiliary rein is only buckled on after the horse has warmed up! In addition, auxiliary reins should always be taken off when out hacking. The exception is the martingale, which, however, occupies a special position among the auxiliary reins.
Correctly used auxiliary reins are not bad in themselves. Because they do what they are named for – help! And that is to help the novice rider and the horse.
Here you will find out which auxiliary reins there are, how they are constructed and what advantages and disadvantages they have. Please discuss with your riding instructor or trainer whether and how you use them. Do you already know what you are looking for? Then go straight to the auxiliary reins, the martingale or the breastplate.
Side reins (Ausbinder)
Every novice rider knows side reins. Side reins always consist of two individual "reins" that are attached on the left and right between the bit ring and the girth. It is important to make sure that the side reins are buckled high or low enough on the girth that they lie horizontal when the horse moves with the correct head carriage. They must be adjusted long enough that, with correct contact, the horse does NOT come behind the vertical.
Advantages of side reins
- give the horse a clear frame
- limitation sideways and forwards
- the rider can fully concentrate on the seat and even let go of the reins at times
Disadvantages of side reins
- no forward-downward stretch possible = horse comes behind the vertical and rolls up
- elastic components (if present) lead to lying down, horse comes onto the forehand
Conclusion
Side reins are suitable for beginners on the lunge or for their first riding lessons in a group. Where the rider's steady hand and the right influence are still lacking, the side reins can provide support.
Triangular reins (Vienna reins)
Triangular reins are, alongside side reins, a very popular form of auxiliary rein. They are also often used for lunging.
The triangular rein consists of a thick strap that runs between the forelegs and is attached in the middle to the girth. In front of the chest, the thick strap forks into two individual, somewhat thinner straps. These are passed through the respective bit ring on the left and right from the inside to the outside and attached to the girth (or lunging girth).
With the head correctly positioned, the strap should lie roughly horizontal just in front of the vertical.
Advantages of triangular reins
- The head is prevented from being pulled up
- stretching posture is permitted
- for riders who can already limit the horse laterally
- for riders who are not yet able to approach the hand
Disadvantages of triangular reins
- Hardly any lateral limitation
- Horse gets behind the reins if it lets its neck drop too low
- Forward-downward is only possible up to a certain point
Conclusion
Triangular reins are a good aid for beginners who have already mastered lateral aids but still need support to the front. These auxiliary reins can also be used well when lunging, as they allow the horse to stretch to a certain depth.
Running reins (Phillips reins)
At first glance, the Lauffer reins are reminiscent of triangular reins. However, unlike this, the Lauffer reins consist of two individual leather or nylon straps. It is probably the most versatile auxiliary rein you can use.
Advantages of Lauffer reins
- can be used for stretching as well as for straightening up
- The design with snap hooks allows the harness to be quickly strapped on
Disadvantages of Lauffer reins
- Horse can get behind the vertical and curl up
- hardly any lateral restraint when buckling like triangular reins
- Careful attention must be paid to the length of the auxiliary reins so that the horse does not curl up and become tight in the poll
The various harnessing options
The Phillips reins are buckled like a triangular rein for the solution work and for stretching. Both straps are attached to the bottom of the girth and passed between the front legs. Now pass them through the respective bit ring from the inside to the outside and attach them to the saddle girth on the right and left.
In order to achieve a higher level of uprightness or more lateral restraint, one end is buckled further up. Now pass the running reins from top to bottom (i.e. from the outside to the inside) through the respective bit ring and attach them to the saddle girth or a ring on the lunging girth again at the level of the front joint.
The effect is enhanced the further up the auxiliary reins are attached. However, the horse must always be able to keep its forehead-nose line in front of the vertical.
Martingale
Like the breastplate, the martingale is more commonly seen on show jumpers and cross-country riders. In show jumping, it is used to "secure" the reins should the rider lose them in a fall. This prevents the horse from stepping into the dangling reins and possibly injuring itself.
The running ring martingale is meant to prevent the horse from throwing its head up. The martingale is buckled so that the martingale fork hangs slightly slack when the reins are correctly in contact. If the horse raises its head, the rings redirect the reins downwards. The pressure on the bars of the mouth then no longer acts backwards but downwards. You will find martingales with us together with the breastplates.
Conclusion
The martingale is not only a safeguard in the event of a fall, but also a helpful aid for advanced beginners. If they have already mastered the lateral aids but still have an unsteady hand or are not yet able to ride the horse up to the hand, the martingale has a supportive effect. As it is only effective if the horse raises its head too high, but can still stretch forwards and downwards on the reins, the martingale occupies a special position among the auxiliary reins.
Thiedemann reins (charcoal burner's reins)
The Thiedemann or charcoal burner reins can be seen as a slightly less complex version of the draw reins. It consists of reins with rings and the actual auxiliary reins. The ring is placed loosely around the horse's neck and the wide strap is passed through the front legs to the saddle girth. The two narrow straps are passed through the respective bit ring on the left and right from the inside to the outside and attached to the rings on the reins. The Thiedemann reins must be buckled in such a way that they are only used if the horse's head is too far forwards or upwards.
Advantages of Thiedemann reins
- only one pair of reins must be held
- only works when correctly buckled if the horse's head is too far forwards or upwards
- should sag slightly when the horse is walking in the correct position
Disadvantages of Thiedemann reins
- leads to a blunt horse's mouth if used incorrectly
- does not provide any lateral restraint
- "sharp" auxiliary reins that only belong in professional hands
Conclusion
The Thiedemann reins must NOT be used by beginners. It belongs exclusively in fine rider's hands and is used solely for short corrections. It should therefore be categorised as a correction aid rather than an auxiliary rein. Incorrect use of this rein can harm the horse!
Chambon & Gogue
Chambon and Gogue are used to teach the horse to lower its head when pressure is applied to the mouth and poll. Chambon and gogue are suitable for horses that find it difficult to stretch and have difficulty dropping their neck. If the horse raises its head too high, the chambon and gogue put pressure on the poll and corner of the mouth. If the horse lowers its head, the pressure eases. If the posture is correct, there is no help at all. Unlike the chambon, the gogue can also be used under the rider.
The chambon should only be used when lunging, as the rider must continually give way very quickly as soon as the horse shows the slightest tendency to move forwards and downwards. Hardly any rider has this ability to react.
Chambon and Gogue only belong in the hands of very experienced riders. If the reins are not buckled correctly, the horse may react violently in defence. Only use these auxiliary reins if you are under supervision and only in individual cases.
Disadvantages of Chambon
- offers neither the possibility of contact nor a lateral limit
- Many horses overbend to escape the pressure on the corners of the mouth and poll
- The length of the training aid is decisive
Disadvantages of Gogue
- independent gogue: in addition to the disadvantages mentioned for the chambon, it also has a backward-facing effect
- led gogue has the same disadvantages as a draw rein
Conclusion
Chambon and Gogue are not real auxiliary reins, but rather correction aids that should be used very carefully. They are neither suitable for beginners nor for "trying out while lunging to see if it works". There should always be a riding instructor or rider present who is very familiar with this type of auxiliary reins.
As mentioned above, incorrect use can lead to a strong defence reaction and, in the worst case, cause serious injury to the horse. These two auxiliary reins should therefore be used with caution and it should be considered before use whether health problems (tension in the poll, girth or withers) are responsible.
Incorrectly named, because nothing is extended here!
Neck extender
The name neck lengthener suggests that it encourages the horse to stretch its neck. However, the more the horse stretches, the greater the pressure on the bit and the poll. With a normal head position, the neck extender is ineffective because it must then sag.
Conclusion
It is often buckled too tightly. If the horse now stretches down, the elastic strap tightens and the pressure increases. The horse then either crawls behind the reins to escape the pressure - or lies down on the reins and becomes lame. The neck extender can still be said to have an upward limiting effect, but the name is extremely inappropriate for these auxiliary reins.
Draw reins
The draw rein is a controversial auxiliary rein and is often associated with rollkur. If handled incorrectly, there is a risk that the horse will be forced into a raised and tight head carriage.
The regulations differ depending on the association and country; please check in advance.
The draw rein is used to restrain a horse that is pushing upwards. A rider must have such a fine feel and hand that he also gives way immediately at the slightest yielding of the horse. The pressure on the horse's mouth is doubled by a draw rein! In principle, the rider must not force the horse into a position and fix it there. The horse cannot escape the draw reins!
Auxiliary reins in the shop
Finding the right auxiliary reins
In our Auxiliary reins category you will find side reins, triangular reins, Lauffer reins and other models in various sizes. Martingales and breastplates have their own categories. If you are unsure, we are happy to advise you by phone, WhatsApp or video.
Frequently asked questions about auxiliary reins
Training aids are pieces of equipment that, in combination with the reins, can influence the horse's head and neck position. They are meant to support, but do not replace training. Which type is suitable, please discuss with your riding instructor or trainer.
According to our guide, side reins are attached left and right between the bit ring and the girth. They should be fastened so high or low on the girth that they lie horizontally when the horse goes with a correct head position. Training aids are only fastened after warming up. The first time, have an experienced rider or trainer show you how to put them on.
Side reins and triangle reins are often used when lunging. Whether and how you use them depends on the horse and its level of training. Please agree that with your trainer.
They are the same: the triangle rein is also called a Vienna rein. It consists of a strap that runs between the front legs and forks in front of the chest.
That depends on the horse, level of training, rider and use. We cannot give a blanket recommendation. The guide shows pros and cons of the individual types. For the choice, your riding instructor or trainer is the best contact.
According to the guide, training aids should be removed when hacking, with the exception of the martingale. For shows, different rules apply depending on federation and event. Please check the current schedule and rulebook.