Abstract
SummaryBackgroundDebate surrounds the use of high rein tension for obtaining different head and neck positions in the training of sport horses on account of possible welfare issues.ObjectivesTo compare auxiliary rein tension in two methods (Draw Reins and Concord Leader) for obtaining a standardised head and neck position on a hard and a soft surface.Study designIntervention study.MethodsLeft and right rein tensions were measured in 11 base‐level trained client‐owned sport horses (mean age ± s.d.; 10 ± 3.2 years) exercised in‐hand with, in a random order, conventional draw reins or the newly developed Concord Leader in a standardised head and neck position. Rein tension was measured using a calibrated device operating at 10 Hz during six runs of 15 s in a straight line for each training method on both a hard and a soft surface. A linear mixed model and grouped logistic regression analysis were applied to compare the two methods (P<0.05).ResultsThe odds of a tension of 0 N were lower with draw reins than with the Concord Leader. The rein tension (mean sum of the force applied, in N) of the draw reins was 13.8 times higher than that of the Concord Leader.Main limitationsThis study was performed on horses exercised in‐hand; however, these auxiliary aids are normally used when lungeing. Possible redirection of rein tension towards the poll was not measured.ConclusionsWe showed that when using the Concord Leader a similar head and neck position is achieved with a much lower rein tension than with the draw reins and, more importantly, with a much greater likelihood of 0 N. It is unnecessary to use high auxiliary rein tension to obtain a standard, flexed head and neck position.
Highlights
During training and competition, discomfort in horses may be poorly recognised by owners and caretakers and sometimes even inflicted by them [1]
Since the head and neck position significantly influences the kinematics of the horse [18,19,20,21], the use of different head and neck positions may be a risk in terms of the welfare of the horse
The draw reins and Concord Leader were fitted in standstill so that the horse was in this head and neck position at the start of the measurement (Supplementary Items 1 and 2)
Summary
Discomfort in horses may be poorly recognised by owners and caretakers and sometimes even inflicted by them [1]. Training horses involves the use of negative reinforcement whereby applied rein tension is released when the horse responds in the desired way [13,14] but this may lead to habituation to rein tension [13,15,16]. The desired head and neck positions used in training and competition might be different from what they were a decade ago, as Lashley et al [17] found a difference in head angle of the horses between top-level dressage competitions in 1992 and 2008 suggesting changes in head and neck positions over the years. Since the head and neck position significantly influences the kinematics of the horse [18,19,20,21], the use of different head and neck positions may be a risk in terms of the welfare of the horse. In particular the extremely flexed head and neck position (hyperflexion/rollkur) has a wide range of mental and physical effects on the horse [6,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
