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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet J / Length and elasticity of side reins affect rein tension at t...
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2010; 188(3); 291-294; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.05.027

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.
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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

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

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

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1532-2971
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 188
Issue: 3
Pages: 291-294

Researcher Affiliations

Clayton, Hilary M
  • 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
Larson, Britt
    Kaiser, LeeAnn J
      Lavagnino, Michael

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Elasticity
        • Gait
        • Horses / physiology
        • Pressure
        • Restraint, Physical / instrumentation
        • Restraint, Physical / veterinary

        Citations

        This article has been cited 17 times.
        1. Cavalli C, Protopopova A. Review of Collars, Harnesses, and Head Collars for Walking Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 22;15(15).
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        7. 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).
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        12. Mellor DJ. Mouth Pain in Horses: Physiological Foundations, Behavioural Indices, Welfare Implications, and a Suggested Solution. Animals (Basel) 2020 Mar 29;10(4).
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        13. 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.
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