How do Balanced Support Reins differ from daisy reins or grass reins?
Confident riders use a mix of tools and techniques to communicate with their horse and guide its movements. These help them to deal with common challenges like a horse that pulls or bolts or grazing while riding.
The reins are used to control the horse's head and neck, and to communicate with the horse through tactile feedback. Different types of reins, such as Daisy Reins, Grass Reins, and Balanced Support Reins, can provide different levels of support and guidance for the horse.
So, what are daisy and grass reins? How do they differ to Balanced Support Reins?
Daisy reins
Daisy reins attach to the head piece of the bridle, down the neck and branches to attach to the d ring on the saddle. Daisy reins are used to help control the horse's head and prevent grazing while riding.
Daisy reins consist of two or more straps that attach to the horse's girth - the wide and sturdy strap that fastens under the horse's belly, over the neck to pass through the bit rings, and are then attached to the saddle or held by the rider.
When used correctly, daisy reins provide a gentle and consistent pressure on the horse's mouth, encouraging them to keep their head up and in a more balanced position. Overuse or misuse of daisy reins can cause discomfort and even pain for the horse. They can be a difficult adjustment for some horses.
Grass reins
Grass reins can be a useful tool for controlling grazing behaviour while riding and promote good head carriage. They are an additional set of straps that are attached to the girth, pass through the bit rings and are then attached to the saddle.
They are designed to let the rider control the length of the reins to stop their horse from lowering its head to graze while riding, which can be dangerous.
One of the benefits of using grass reins is that they are relatively easy to use. They can also be adjusted to fit different horse sizes and shapes. They are also a less severe option compared to martingales or draw reins. Grass reins provide a gentle pressure on the horse's mouth, making it easy for the rider to keep their head up and in a more balanced position. They may however not be effective for stubborn horses or those that are resistant to pressure.
Balanced Support Reins
Balanced Support Reins are designed to be non-restrictive to facilitate the horse's natural movement without constraints. The elastic support rein, adjustably connected to the reins and saddle D rings, allows the horse to stretch its neck comfortably while preventing abrupt rein-snatching and excessive head lowering. This design ensures maintained contact and control. The horse perceives the supporting rein as gentle, akin to a rider gently guiding them back when they pulls forward too much.
Our patented design sets us apart from Daisy and grass reins, offering a smart, tidy, and easy-to-use alternative without unnecessary bulk between the bridle and saddle.
The goal of Balanced Support Reins is to help the horse find their natural balance and carriage, while still allowing them some degree of freedom. They are particularly beneficial for riders who are looking for a more comfortable and effective way to support their horse's head and neck while riding.
Find out more about fitting and how the Balanced Support Reins work here.
