Duchess Diaries

Using Bungee Reins Correctly

This has to be one of the most popular subjects on Duchess Diaries and they are increasing in popularity.

Bungee reigns or bungees are a brilliant training aid for all types of horses when used correctly. They can be used to help strengthen and improve muscle usage and are also very helpful in the rehabilitation of horses. However, they are often used incorrectly.

What a Bungee Rein Does

A bungee reign encourages your horse to work long and low. This helps to strengthen the neck, back and hind quarters of the horse as they are encouraged to use their muscles more effectively. It also helps in building the foundation that helps your horse work in a shape or ‘On the Bit’. All of this will be done withougt rider interferance, there fore it is much more benificial to your horse and the work that you are trying to acheve.

How it Works

Bungee, equine training aid for lunging and riding. Perfect for gently building muscle

The bungee works on a simple reward system. If your horse braces against the bungee it is uncomfortable, it puts pressure behind the ears and pulls on the bit. If the horse lowers his head the bungee goes slack and the pressure releases from behind the head and off the bit. Once the horse figures out that all the pressure is released by relaxing into a shape they begin to work in an outline and all of the muscles are working properly now.

Incorrect use of a Bungee

The bungee works on a reward system, if the horse braces against it they will find it uncomfortable. This emphasises the importance of using the bungee correctly. If the bungee is too tight and the horse cannot get away from the tension they get no reward. The horse then braces and ‘pulls’ against the bungee, this causes the horse to build muscle that works against the bungee and is of no benefit to how the horse works. Also, having a tight bungee can be very dangerous for both horse and rider, if the bungee clips break and it is under tension it can cause injury.

How to fit a bungee

The bungee is fitted to a tacked horse and can be used in riding or lunging. Run the bungee from the outside of the ring on the bit, bring it upwards and over the head behind the ears. Run the bungee through the inside to the outside of the bit on the other site. Clip the ends of the bungee to the D rings on the saddle or to the girth under their chest. The horses head will come to rest so that there is a vertical line from their face to the ground. Bounce your hand on the part of the bungee that is below their neck, you should have about 2inches of play on it.

How to use a bungee

It is important to allow your horse to warm up before the bungee goes on, otherwise they will be stiff and sore for the next few days. The bungee should have some play in it when fitted. You can lunge or ride your horse with the bungee on and ride over raised trotting poles or normal trotting poles, however you cannot jump with a bungee on your horse as they cannot stretch properly. Allow your horse to stretch down regularly as you are riding as they are using alot of new muscle and will tire easily and remove the bungee after about 30 minutes. Only use the bungee about twice a week and never in consecutive days as your horse’s muscles will become sore and strained.

The Bungee is not drawing her head in

DO NOT

• Jump with a bungee on, your horse cannot stretch properly.
• Have the bungee tight, this will build counter muscle which is no use.
• Pull your horse’s head in with a tight bungee.
• Put the bungee on before a warm up.
• Use it more than twice a week; your horse will become too stiff and sore.