Influence of draw reins on ground reaction forces at the trot.

The research study aims to objectively measure whether using draw reins when riding a horse leads to a relative increase in the weight support of the horse’s hindquarters. It’s determined that when used in combination with a normal rein, draw reins result in significantly higher vertical impulse in the horse’s hindlimb. However, using a draw rein alone does not yield the same effect.

Objective of the Study

• The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of draw reins on the ground reaction forces of horses at trotting.
• The researchers wanted to observe if horses ridden with draw reins would relatively increase weightbearing of the hindquarters compared to riding with regular reins.

Methodology

• Horses were trotted over a force plate that measured their ground reaction forces.
• Eight horses were tested in three different experimental setups. One was riding with only a draw rein (DR), second was riding with the combination of a normal and a draw rein (NR-DR), and the third was riding with a normal rein (NR).

Findings

• The results showed that horses ridden with both a normal and draw rein (NR-DR) showed a significantly higher vertical impulse in the hindlimb compared to riding with just a draw rein (DR) or a normal rein (NR).
• Significant differences were also observed in the horizontal force, indicating that reins don’t just affect vertical motion.

Conclusions

• The study concluded that draw reins, when used in tandem with a normal rein, achieve the desired result of shifting the weight of the horse caudally (towards the hindquarters).
• This finding was not observed when draw reins were used alone.
• Based on this evidence, trainers and veterinarians are advised to adopt an informed approach when recommending draw reins in a <a href="/equine-rehabilitation-guide/" title="rehabilitation programme.