Switzerland Bans Draw Reins From Jumping Competitions

To protect equine welfare, the Swiss equestrian federation has banned draw reins, effective Jan. 1, 2016.
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To protect equine welfare and improve the image of equestrian sports, the Swiss equestrian federation has moved to ban draw reins from all show jumping competition areas.

Currently, draw reins are allowed in warm-up rings (until the first jump), during award ceremonies, and at the competition venue except during the competitive jumping round itself. But as of Jan. 1, 2016, Swiss riders will have to leave their draw reins at home.

“This is about preserving equine welfare, but it’s also about preserving the way the general public perceives our sport,” said Charles F. Trolliet, DVM, president of the Swiss Equestrian Federation (SVPS/FSSE), in Bern. “The sport has been highly criticized recently because of rollkur (hyperflexion of the neck), and banning draw reins from competition sites can make people think twice about using devices that lead to rollkur, wherever they’re riding.”

Draw reins create a pulley effect that increases the force of the rider’s hands and easily put the horse into a flexed poll position, which can lead to hyperflexion if enough force is used

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Passionate about horses and science from the time she was riding her first Shetland Pony in Texas, Christa Lesté-Lasserre writes about scientific research that contributes to a better understanding of all equids. After undergrad studies in science, journalism, and literature, she received a master’s degree in creative writing. Now based in France, she aims to present the most fascinating aspect of equine science: the story it creates. Follow Lesté-Lasserre on Twitter @christalestelas.

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