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ReBalance™ Sliding Side Reins
Invented by a dressage trainer in Europe, sliding side reins go from the girth or surcingle, to the bit ring and back to the girth. Because the rein slides at the bit ring, it cannot tighten, as the regular fixed side reins do, when the horse changes position during work. Sliding side reins invite the horse to stretch his head and neck both forward and down, developing relaxation and self carriage. They are especially effective on horses with high head carriage, tightness in the back muscles, or for horses who have learned to lean on the side reins rather than carry themselves.
Figure AInstructions for Use:
1. We recommend that you begin by reading these directions with one of the sliding side reins lying flat on a table in front of you, before taking them out to the barn. When properly positioned, the sliding side rein will form a triangle, going from a low position on the girth, to the bit, and back to a high position on the girth or saddle, as in Figure A.
Custom-Tack sliding side reins can be used in three different positions depending on the stage of training of your horse. See Figures B1-B3.
If your horse is beginning lungeline training, or you would like him in a long and low frame, use the lower triangle in Figure B1. Use the middle or upper triangles (B2, B3) if your horse is on the forehand or tends to pull down on regular side reins. The upper triangle is also appropriate for the horse who has developed the shorter and higher frame during upper level work.
2. Arrange the side rein so that it forms a triangle. Each rein has a swivel snap located midway along the rein, between the two sets of D rings, This snap hooks to the bit ring when lungeing, forming the point of the triangle. See figure C.
FIGURE C
3. Form a girth loop with the lower end of the rein by attaching the snap at the end of the line to the D rings. This loop forms the bottom point of the triangle and can be attached to the girth in two ways: looped around the girth like traditional side reins, as in Figure E, or use the extra scissors snap to attach the loop to girth buckles, D rings or other girth attachments. See Figure D. When not in use, the scissors snap hooks to the D ring located at the end of the line, as in Figure E.
4. Form a similar girth loop with the higher end of the rein. This loop forms the top point of the triangle and can be looped around the girth or snapped to the D ring at the pommel of the saddle, using the scissors snap.
5. When tacking up, snap the two sliding snaps together and lay them across the horse’s neck just in front of the withers, so that one rein is hanging down on each side of the horse. Next, attach both ends of each rein to the saddle or girth. Leave the sliding snaps unattached, allowing the horse to move without restraint from the side reins as you lead him out of the barn. When you are ready to start work, attach the sliding snap to your bit ring, forming the triangle.
Always allow the horse to move freely forward before attaching the reins or shortening them. Adjustments should be made to the outside rein first, followed by the inside rein. When finished lungeing, remove the side reins by first unhooking the sliding snaps from the bit ring. Then unhook the reins from the saddle and girth.Sizes:
Ex.-Long: 16.1 hh & Larger
Long: 15 hh to 16.2 hh
Medium: 14.1 hh to 15.2 hh
Pony: 14 hh & smallerWhen in doubt: Horses with longer necks should go to the longer size. Horses with shorter necks, shorter size. Example: A 15.3 h.h. horse with a short neck may do better with a Medium size. Confused? Call or e-mail us! We'll exchange sizes until you have the best fit.
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