check reins

[jen judkins]

What is the benefit of side check reins vs an over check? Or vice versa?

Is it a matter of preference or do they have different uses? Thanks. Jennifer.

[amanda07]

Hi, I’ve used both check and overcheck reins with saddle horses. I’ve not found any benefit for one over the other, their use being dictated by availability and/or the presence/interference of other gadgetry. May I ask why you would wish to use them? I’ve heard of them being used on carriage horses and riding horses but not otherwise. Amanda

[near horse]

Hi Jen,

I’ve never used side checks but over check reins, in my experience, are a nuisance when bridling (mine tend to always get caught under/over/around some part of the bridle). Maybe side checks are just as bad but I’d like to see. And it’s probably more of an “operator” (me) issue.

[jen judkins]

I just use them to keep my youngster from putting his head on the ground to graze while in harness. I’ve used both, but don’t really understand why there are two styles.

BTW, I would never use them on a saddle horse.

[Ira]

With an overcheck you can force the horses head into a more upright position.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Jen ~ You say that you use the check reins for keeping your horse from grazing while in harness. Is that a bad thing? I mean, as long as he’s not actually pulling (stopped, resting, etc.) I don’t know, so that’s why I’m asking. When we use the mules for packing or pulling the stumps out or the trailace, the boss’s philosophy is “If it doesn’t interfere w/ their work”. If it’s a bad habit or unsafe, I want to know BEFORE I start training my Dragon.

[jen judkins]

In general, I’m not a nazi when it comes to grazing:D…if my horse can get a nibble in here and there when we are resting, that’s fine. But, I’ve been told by more than one teamster to use them with any youngster…loose enough so they can use their head and neck for balance….but in a position to keep them from putting their head all the way down. Some people also believe they will discourage bucking as well, I guess.

My only experience with them before harness work was in the movie ‘Black Beauty’ when they used the overcheck reins to artificially raise the headset….driving that pretty redhead crazy:(

[Donn Hewes]

Yes, putting the head down to the ground while in harness, hooked with a partner, to an implement, is not a good idea. Simple reason is it leads to wanting to take a step, which should not be allowed. This can also lead to tangling lines, etc. Pretty hard to keep them from eating standing hay if it is under their nose, though. The simple check rein is from bit to bit and is dropped over one hames. Be sure to adjust the length so the animal can work freely. I have friends that don’t have a check rein on any over their horses and it is the first thing I put on bridle. Donn

[Carl Russell]

I only use them when working new horses. Generally they are more interested in breathing than eating when they get to stop, after they get used to working for me.

I use it to restrict the fidgeting that results from a horse trying to get a snack. I usually do not have it applied when they are working, but will put it in place once they stop, unless we are just doing light work, and the animals don’t need to move their heads so much as they will when working hard on uneven ground.

The problem with letting them graze, or browse, while working is that it is a result of them asserting their own initiative, and that will distract them from focusing on your initiative. They should be fed well enough that they shouldn’t need to eat while working.

The head movement of a working horse should never be restricted, no matter how nice an up-headed horse may appeal to some people, so check reins should only be set to keep the animal from getting their head to the ground.

Carl

[amanda07]

As Ira says, the overcheck will emphasise pressure on the poll (atlas) and enourage the horse to ‘bring in’ the nose. Sidechecks, like antigrazing reins, inhibit downward flexion to the same end i.e. ‘don’t lower the head’ but with less incitement to put chin to chest. A

[J-L]

I use them occasionally to keep the mules from eating while harnessed. I’ve yet to meet a mule that wasn’t hungry all the time. I had a few experiences with them tangling lines over the neck yoke, tongue, etc. while they were stretched out trying to eat, so when I need them, the overchecks go on. I really don’t like to adjust them too tight myself. Just enough to keep them from wanting to duck their heads. One set of harness never had them when I got it second hand, so I use the real handy home made type out of either blue, orange, or yellow polypropylene (baler twine). Looks good, and the price is right too.

[TinaY]

What I think of as an overcheck is a line that runs from the bit, through rings near the top of the bridle, and hooks to a strap attached to the hip assembly or back pad.

We use an overcheck line, but loop it around the hames, on our one mare who insists on hooking a side check on the end of the neckyoke. Since the overcheck runs up alongside her head, she can’t hook it. It doesn’t bother her when she gets the sidecheck hooked, it’s a fun game to her. She hooks it and pulls it off…hooks it and pulls it off…EVERY time we stop. Drives me bananas, hence the switch to the overcheck.

We keep them on to prevent grazing and any sort of mischief. I know of a horse that didn’t have one that put his head down to scratch his leg and got his foot over the line. I don’t feel that they hurt anything as long as they aren’t overly tight. Both our horse’s checks are adjusted to be barely loose when in a resting position. If we’re doing any heavy pulling where they might want to get their heads down more we take them off.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Does anyone have a photo handy (or know of one in the photo gallery) that shows either of these two types? In the books I’ve got, there’s none in photos, just a drawing that doesn’t show much.

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Robert, if you look at my web album every animal in there, except Connie, is wearing a loose check rein. They are hard to see in some photos, easier in others. This type of set up is the easiest to use and serves only one purpose; to keep their head off the ground while they stand. Look at the bits. They all have two lines going to them. The upper one, hooked direct to the snaffle ring, is the check rein and goes over a hames ball and down to the bit on the other side. The lower line is the driving line. There are mules standing around in the “clipping” file, you can also see them in a couple photos in the “firewood” file. They all wear them. Donn

[J-L]

I have a mule who is the hungriest animal in the world. You can take her out of the corral with a feeder full of hay and she just has to eat when we stop on the feed ground.
Over checks are what I have, don’t know about side checks. I’d recommend them. Adjusting them is trial and error. I know these guys logging and doing real heavy work will tell you the same. Some horses and mules put their head in a different position when they are pulling hard and they need to have enough freedom that they will be comfortable. Most of my animals don’t have their heads jacked up in the air when they are getting after it hard.
Robert, in the mountains on pack trips I’ll graze my stock whenever I get the chance. Seems like there’s never enough time to graze them around camp on hunting/fishing trips or doing trail work like you guys.

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