Vienna reins?

[ChrissieW]

This is not for me as such, just I am interested in learning.  My friend mentioned this morning that she was thinking of trying Vienna reins on her horse for lunging instead of the Pessoa she normally uses, because she's seen them used by our old YO (personally not a recommendation I would be swung by  ).

Anyway, they aren't a piece of kit I am familiar with, have done a quick google and they seem to me to be a bit of a cross between side reins, but sliding and draw reins but fixed to the roller, not the hand???

Is that kind of correct??      Do they have merit, they seem to be mentioned on a couple of classical sites, are they preferable to side reins or as she uses now a Pessoa?

What are people's thoughts?

Her boy is quite short coupled, big (17hh) warmblood and can get quite up and tight in his back.

Personally nowadays I like using the Pessoa just fixed on the back end and not the front (yes I could just use a bandage, but have got the Pessoa and its on the roller, so its easier to bung that on) and double long lines through the roller rings to the bit, but then Minnie is more of a long and low type so doesn't need anything to encourage that.

This is really just for my interest and not advice as such as I'm not intending on using them myself.    I just haven't seen them in use before, so was interested in their benefits or otherwise.

[Candypony]

Not seen them used myself but I do remember they came up in discussion at one of my clinics a while back - something about them being good for horses that needed more freedom in the head and neck than a side rein as they would keep a more consistent contact?  And better than side reins with elastic in as they discouraged snatching that the elastic can apparently encourage - or the snap back if the pressure on the elastic was suddenly dropped?


None of that is from my experience though - just a vague memory of the discussion as to why they would be used!

[jenb]

I have a pair.  Being a tack tart, I spent £65 on a nice Stubben pair in havana leather about 18 months ago and have used them once...   

In theory they are better than plain side reins, as they don't give the horse a fixed place to pivot around if he tries to stretch his head down, they give more of an ellipse shape and don't instantly force the horse to go btv if he tries to stretch.  But shortly after I bought them I started on my whole "why use side reins" debate in my head and came to the conclusion that I didn't want to use anything at all.

I tried them on Gazdag once and he went hollow and fussy - but I have never used any auxiliary rein on him before or since, so it's not really a fair test of their efficacy!

[ChrissieW]

Interesting, thanks both.     Suppose I'm in the ideal position if my friend decides to try them to watch and see without having to experiment on my own horse!!! 

[shoveltrash]

my trainer-friend uses them to lunge "problem horses" -- but beyond that i have no idea as to their efficacy/etc.  i should question him about this!

[Belbe]

Not that i like to be extremist but logically speaking, I think Anja Beran is right: no guizmos. (i'm kindda betting she didn't phrase it quite like this   , but u get the point   )

I was once tempted to use a neck strecher like some americans do cos my mare kept her head so high and was so hollow in lungeing. Tried it once, felt i didn't know wt* that was doing there and hated the fact that i wasn't in control of how it affected her. Decided to ditch it. Managed to get what i wanted through transitions. Much better on my peace of mind.

[Candypony]

I'm not disagreeing - but I personally do use side reins, have used a pessoa (under physio instruction), and expect to use the portuguese style side rein / bearing rein at some point (under instruction again). 

I can, and do, lunge and work her in hand without anything too - I just get better results with (and to clarify, the side reins are actually very loose, with just the weight of the donut really having an effect).

Vienna reins though I've yet to see in action so have no real opinion on them.

[intouch]

I watched Chris Irwin - supposed 'NH' trainer - use them at a clinic, no doubt he got the effect he was looking for, but I wouldn't want him to use them on one of my horses.  Def quick fix, rather than training imo.

[ChrissieW]

Thanks everyone, as I saw no intention of using them on my horses at the moment, but will watch with interest if my friend gets some.