Contentious as it may be sometimes depending on individual view points, the use of artifical aids can have a place in the tool box.
The classical riding purists would say you dont need gadgets to ride a horse onto the bit, but for many riders less skilled, a little help can be better than struggling along not getting anywhere, and saves hours of trying without success.
Once the horse is working in a better shape you have a better chance of trying to ride without any artificial aids, and so they can be seen as a tool to help you through a difficult period with your horses flatwork improvement and assist in establishing better muscle development particulalry the carrying muscles that assist with balance, control, and movement that makes the job much easier once you try again without their use.
The Ridden Bungee rein helps horses engage their core abdominal and back muscles by providing elastic resistance, encouraging proper posture, balance, and coordinated movement through the thoracic sling, neck and head assisted by the stability of a strong abdominal core.
Good core muscle tone helps with the lifting of the topline through the back with the abdominal muscles assisting the stability of the lift which is created by the back muscles and abdomina muscle in unison, allowing the hind quarters to engage and lower, to come under the horse further in collection, creating impulsion flowing through the horses body and feeding back through the rein contact to the riders hand controlling the flow of this energy.
This invisible thing called impulsion, once described as water flowing through the fingers, the more closed they are, the more the water builds up (creating greater impulsion or energy which is being captured). The more open the fingers are, the more the water flows away ( the water is lost and the energy is being spent and so impulsion is lost).
How Bungee Reins Work
Bungee reins are made from elastic cord and attach from the horse’s poll and bit rings down to the girth, either for lunging or ridden work. By offering adjustable tension, they provide resistance that discourages the horse from throwing its head up or hollowing its back, prompting natural engagement of the topline, abdominal, and pelvic-stabiliser muscles. Unlike fixed training aids, the elastic nature allows the horse full range of motion, so it performs the work independently while maintaining comfort and minimizing the risk of strain or injury without any blocking movement from ghe bungee allowing the horse to develop its balance exploring the full range of natural movement maintaing its usual freedom while bringing gentle persuasion to work in the right frame and outline.
Muscle Engagement and Core Strength
When the horse encounters the elastic resistance from bungee reins, it must activate abdominal and hindquarter muscles to stabilize the back and maintain correct posture. This encourages:
- Proper topline development: Supporting the spine and preventing hollow back posture.
- Improved hindquarter engagement: The horse learns to step further under itself, recruiting core and pelvic muscles.
- Enhanced proprioception: Horses develop awareness of their muscles and joints, allowing coordinated movement and better balance.
Benefits for Rehabilitation and Training
Bungee reins are useful not only for routine training but also for rehabilitation after injury or long periods off work. They provide gentle guidance, helping restore core stability and symmetry, which reduces the risk of re-injury while retraining the horse to move correctly. They also allow for subtle, progressive training, as the rein tension can be gradually increased to match the horse’s strength and responsiveness.
Practical Considerations
To maximize effectiveness, bungee reins should be:
- Correctly fitted: The bungee rein is designed to be used in conjunction with the primary ridden rein of the bridle which attaches to the bit in a ridden situation. Too tight can cause discomfort or stress; slack should be adjusted based on the horse’s experience and session goals.
- Used in intervals: Short sessions promote muscle engagement without fatigue, generally around 10–20 minutes, 1–2 times weekly.
- Supplemented with rider skill: Proper leg and seat aids enhance the horse’s engagement and avoid over-reliance on the device.
In summary,
Bungee reins are an effective tool to strengthen a horse’s core abdominal and back muscles, improve posture, enhance proprioception, and support both training and rehabilitation. When used correctly with correct fit, timing, and rider input, they help develop a stronger, more balanced, and stable horse capable of better movement and reduced injury risk.
They are popular with Showjumpers, eventers, and for flatwork improvement exercises.
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