This issue of The Veterinary Journal includes a timely article on some of the mechanics of rein tension (Clayton et al., 2011 H.M. Clayton, B. Larson, L.J. Kaiser and M. Lavagnino, Length and elasticity of side reins affect rein tension at trot. The Veterinary Journal, 188 (2011), pp. 291–294. Clayton et al., 2011). The article demonstrates that tension in side reins (1) increases biphasically in each trot stride, (2) changes inversely with rein length, and (3) changes with elasticity of the reins. It provides basic knowledge that some may have considered obvious. Nevertheless, we need this sort of report. The interesting debate it raises should focus on the effects of such restraining apparatus on a sentient animal. It should prompt further research to examine the effects of bit pressure on horses and elucidate the roles of discomfort, and indeed pain, in equitation.
展开▼
