I CAN EASILY PUT ANY HEADSET ON ANY HORSE
WITH OUT THE USE OF ANY ARTIFICIAL
DEVICES SUCH AS DRAW REINS OR MARTINGALES

BUT IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE DRAW REINS
HERE IS SOME INFORMATION

Running reins and draw reins should only been used when
the horse is performing an undesired behavior that cannot be corrected with
less extreme equipment,
and it is best practice to stop use as soon as the desired response is given.

Running reins
(or western-style draw reins)
are used by many trainers to teach the horse
 to give to rein pressure,
and most horses respond by bringing the head in and lowering it.

They may also provide additional control of
heavy-mouthed horses,
 though it can also become a "crutch"
that a rider becomes dependent on using at all times.

English style draw reins that run over the poll have a gag bit-like action.

They encourage the horse to raise its head,
although they may cause slight pressure on the poll,
and are therefore good for certain horses that buck and plunge
 with the head lowered, attempt to run away
 by first lowering the head,
 
and for horses that pull, lean
 on the bit, or have learned to lower the head and stop to unseat the rider

Western style draw reins work similarly to
the English style running rein,
  they encourage the horse to bring its head down and in.


However, they may apply more leverage
and because western riders rarely use the regular rein,
they offer less relief to the horse.

Some trainers even run draw reins between the front legs
 and attach them to the cinch underneath the belly
in order to get the horse to travel with the low and controversial
 "peanut roller" style headset

popular in some western pleasure classes.

However, horses can learn to evade draw reins by over-flexing
and putting their head practically on their chest,
 then charging ahead or,
 conversely, balking and refusing to move forward at all.



Misuses and Dangers

There are many riders who use leverage devices,
 which also can include not only draw reins and running reins,
 but also the running martingale,
to force the horse into position.
 
However, this is incorrect usage.

Misuse usually involves the rider pulling the horse's head in
to achieve a "headset"
 rather than getting the animal correctly on the bit.


Like the equally controversial practice of rollkur,
 the horse does not flex properly at the poll,
but rather flexes improperly at a lower neck vertebrae.
 
This practice often results in a horse that is working in a "headset"
 or "outline" that, to the inexperienced observer appears acceptable,
 but the horse has no self-carriage or
 suppleness and does not properly engage its hindquarters.

These pieces of equipment can have very detrimental effects
 if they are adjusted tightly, used strongly,
 or if used for long periods of time.

Horses may become hard-mouthed and heavy,
and they will begin to travel on the forehand
if the rider can not keep sufficient impulsion.
 
Additionally, many horses that are continuously
or incorrectly ridden in draw or running reins
may never learn to engage the hind quarters
 and lift their withers for self-carriage,
and this habit may permanently damage their training.
 

In extreme cases, horses may develop
 neck and back pain from being forced to hold
an artificial position for long periods of time.

It was this improper flexion
 that ruined the reputation of their inventor,
 William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

That being said, competent riders who correctly
and tactfully use the draw and running reins
can have success in correcting specific problems in horses
 that require retraining to get rid of bad habits.

These are often the riders who use the equipment the least,
 because they can achieve correct results
through good riding instead of gadgets.

Polo

Polo pony wearing a Pelham bit with draw reins and curb reins

Draw reins are connected through the "snaffle" ring of a
 Pelham bit or a gag bit in lieu of a direct rein,
to the saddle billets.

The draw reins have a direct rein action.

A second pair of reins provides leverage.

 When the rider pulls all four reins
(both pairs)
together, the draw reins become slack,
transferring tension to the other pair of reins,
hence to the leverage bit.



           


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