Length and elasticity of side reins affect rein tension at trot.
Abstract: This study investigated the horse's contribution to tension in the reins. The experimental hypotheses were that tension in side reins (1) increases biphasically in each trot stride, (2) changes inversely with rein length, and (3) changes with elasticity of the reins. Eight riding horses trotted in hand at consistent speed in a straight line wearing a bit and bridle and three types of side reins (inelastic, stiff elastic, compliant elastic) were evaluated in random order at long, neutral, and short lengths. Strain gauge transducers (240 Hz) measured minimal, maximal and mean rein tension, rate of loading and impulse. The effects of rein type and length were evaluated using ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc tests. Rein tension oscillated in a regular pattern with a peak during each diagonal stance phase. Within each rein type, minimal, maximal and mean tensions were higher with shorter reins. At neutral or short lengths, minimal tension increased and maximal tension decreased with elasticity of the reins. Short, inelastic reins had the highest maximal tension and rate of loading. Since the tension variables respond differently to rein elasticity at different lengths, it is recommended that a set of variables representing different aspects of rein tension should be reported.
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2010-07-17 PubMed ID: 20638876DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.05.027Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research paper explores how the length and elasticity of side reins affect the tension of the reins while the horse is trotting. The research evaluates the hypothesis that rein tension is influenced by the trot stride, the length of the reins and the elasticity of the reins.
Methodology
- Eight riding horses were used for the study.
- The horses trotted at a consistent speed in a straight line, wearing a bit and bridle.
- Three types of side reins were tested: inelastic, stiff elastic and compliant elastic. These reins were assessed in a random sequence at long, neutral and short lengths, respectively.
- Strain gauge transducers recorded the minimum, maximum and mean rein tension, as well as the rate of loading and impulse.
Outcome
- Rein tension had a regular pattern, with a peak during each diagonal stance phase.
- For all types of reins, minimal, maximum and mean tensions were higher with shorter reins.
- At neutral or short lengths, minimal tension increased and maximum tension decreased with elasticity of the reins.
- The stiffest tension and rate of loading were recorded with short, inelastic reins.
Conclusion
- The study had results supporting all three hypothesises. Rein tension was found to vary depending on the length and elasticity of the reins and the horse’s trot stride.
- The research suggests that a certain set of variables should be reported to best describe the rein tension, as distinct variables react differently to the elasticity of the reins at different lengths. This suggests that there is no single best length or elasticity for the reins, but a suitable length and elasticity could be dependent on various factors, like the specific horse or the specific need of a rider.
Cite This Article
APA
Clayton HM, Larson B, Kaiser LJ, Lavagnino M.
(2010).
Length and elasticity of side reins affect rein tension at trot.
Vet J, 188(3), 291-294.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.05.027 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. claytonh@cvm.msu.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Elasticity
- Gait
- Horses / physiology
- Pressure
- Restraint, Physical / instrumentation
- Restraint, Physical / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 17 times.- Cavalli C, Protopopova A. Review of Collars, Harnesses, and Head Collars for Walking Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 22;15(15).
- MacKechnie-Guire R, Clayton H, Williams J, Marlin D, Fisher M, Fisher D, Walker V, Murray RC. Comparison of Rein Forces and Pressure Beneath the Noseband and Headpiece of a Snaffle Bridle and a Double Bridle. Animals (Basel) 2025 Apr 5;15(7).
- Biau S, Pycik E, Boichot L, Berg LC, Ruet A. Rein tensions and behaviour with five rein types in international-level vaulting horses. PLoS One 2024;19(10):e0311919.
- Biau S, Leblanc M, Pycik E, Pasquiet B, Huet B. Biomechanical Characterization of Preparation for Airs above the Ground: A Mixed Approach. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jan 6;14(2).
- Clayton HM, MacKechnie-Guire R, Hobbs SJ. Riders' Effects on Horses-Biomechanical Principles with Examples from the Literature. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 15;13(24).
- Hodgson S, Bennett-Skinner P, Lancaster B, Upton S, Harris P, Ellis AD. Posture and Pull Pressure by Horses When Eating Hay or Haylage from a Hay Net Hung at Various Positions. Animals (Basel) 2022 Oct 31;12(21).
- Clayton H, MacKechnie-Guire R, Byström A, Le Jeune S, Egenvall A. Guidelines for the Measurement of Rein Tension in Equestrian Sport. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 30;11(10).
- Gehlen H, Puhlmann J, Merle R, Thöne-Reineke C. Evaluating Horse Owner Expertise and Professional Use of Auxiliary Reins during Horse Riding. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 20;11(7).
- Eisersiö M, Byström A, Yngvesson J, Baragli P, Lanata A, Egenvall A. Rein Tension Signals Elicit Different Behavioral Responses When Comparing Bitted Bridle and Halter. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:652015.
- Dyson S, Pollard D. Application of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to Elite Dressage Horses Competing in World Cup Grand Prix Competitions. Animals (Basel) 2021 Apr 21;11(5).
- Hunter A, Blake S, De Godoy RF. Pressure and force on the canine neck when exercised using a collar and leash. Vet Anim Sci 2019 Dec;8:100082.
- Mellor DJ. Mouth Pain in Horses: Physiological Foundations, Behavioural Indices, Welfare Implications, and a Suggested Solution. Animals (Basel) 2020 Mar 29;10(4).
- Kau S, Potz IK, Pospisil K, Sellke L, Schramel JP, Peham C. Bit type exerts an influence on self-controlled rein tension in unridden horses. Sci Rep 2020 Feb 12;10(1):2420.
- Maśko M, Zdrojkowski L, Domino M, Jasinski T, Gajewski Z. The Pattern of Superficial Body Temperatures in Leisure Horses Lunged with Commonly Used Lunging Aids. Animals (Basel) 2019 Dec 7;9(12).
- Egenvall A, Clayton HM, Eisersiö M, Roepstorff L, Byström A. Rein Tension in Transitions and Halts during Equestrian Dressage Training. Animals (Basel) 2019 Sep 23;9(10).
- Veen I, Killian D, Vlaminck L, Vernooij JCM, Back W. The use of a rein tension device to compare different training methods for neck flexion in base-level trained Warmblood horses at the walk. Equine Vet J 2018 Nov;50(6):825-830.
- Egenvall A, Roepstorff L, Eisersiö M, Rhodin M, van Weeren R. Stride-related rein tension patterns in walk and trot in the ridden horse. Acta Vet Scand 2015 Dec 30;57:89.
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