Do You Know How to Use Your Reins
By Gaye DeRusso
These are the basic ways to correctly use your reins to communicate with your horse.
Direct Rein
It is used for steering and control. It is one of the most basic rein aids. The direct rein is when you pull the rein straight back toward your hip on the same side.
Indirect Rein
Is used in bending and transferring weight. The rider pulls the rein toward the opposite hip, so the rein goes against the horse's neck but not over its mane. An experienced rider can use this rein to shift the weight and balance of the horse onto the opposite side of his body. When the rein is brought across in front of the withers, the horse’s weight will shift to his opposite front leg; when the rein is brought behind the withers, the horse’s weight shifts to his opposite hind leg.
Supporting Rein
This rein is very important, but most people do not use it. It helps to control the outside of the horse's body when circling or making a turn. When you neck rein a horse and you are holding both reins in one hand, you are using the outside rein as a supporting rein. You always want to support both sides of the horse when riding.
Leading or Open Rein
Helpful for young green horses or when the horse gets stuck. The rider opens the rein away from the horse's neck and leads the horse's nose in the direction they want to go. This way you do not interfere with the horse's forward movement. Say your horse won't go through a puddle, you can use an open rein and lead left then lead right and go back and forth till you get your horse to move forward then stop reward and repeat. Just by doing this you can sometimes get through the puddle.
Knowing how to use your reins correctly will avoid confusion with the horse and help you clearly tell him what to do. The more you know how to help him, the happier your horse will be.
Bits
Snaffle bit https://amzn.to/3WPY1Qh
Short Shank Bit https://amzn.to/3Z0TbRl
Longer Shank Bit https://amzn.to/3vsMcDq
Longer Shank with Port for more tongue relief https://amzn.to/3vtCVLc
Wonder Bit https://amzn.to/3jGSqgj
Wonder Bit with Twist https://amzn.to/3WTCndn
Bit Guards https://amzn.to/3Cd3EQ4
Curb Chain https://amzn.to/3voPGqy
Correction Bit https://amzn.to/3jEOGfj
Reins with colors to help hand placement https://amzn.to/3VyMlzU
Rubber reins to help grip https://amzn.to/3jBub34
Clip for easy attachment and added weight https://amzn.to/3Q1ited
How to use your hands with gaited horses https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDIfbdCzbdtRr1geDTygOjetBmhpukIWc
Free Training Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018259835184485/
DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission if you buy something. This helps support the website. Thank you for the support!
By Gaye DeRusso
These are the basic ways to correctly use your reins to communicate with your horse.
Direct Rein
It is used for steering and control. It is one of the most basic rein aids. The direct rein is when you pull the rein straight back toward your hip on the same side.
Indirect Rein
Is used in bending and transferring weight. The rider pulls the rein toward the opposite hip, so the rein goes against the horse's neck but not over its mane. An experienced rider can use this rein to shift the weight and balance of the horse onto the opposite side of his body. When the rein is brought across in front of the withers, the horse’s weight will shift to his opposite front leg; when the rein is brought behind the withers, the horse’s weight shifts to his opposite hind leg.
Supporting Rein
This rein is very important, but most people do not use it. It helps to control the outside of the horse's body when circling or making a turn. When you neck rein a horse and you are holding both reins in one hand, you are using the outside rein as a supporting rein. You always want to support both sides of the horse when riding.
Leading or Open Rein
Helpful for young green horses or when the horse gets stuck. The rider opens the rein away from the horse's neck and leads the horse's nose in the direction they want to go. This way you do not interfere with the horse's forward movement. Say your horse won't go through a puddle, you can use an open rein and lead left then lead right and go back and forth till you get your horse to move forward then stop reward and repeat. Just by doing this you can sometimes get through the puddle.
Knowing how to use your reins correctly will avoid confusion with the horse and help you clearly tell him what to do. The more you know how to help him, the happier your horse will be.
Bits
Snaffle bit https://amzn.to/3WPY1Qh
Short Shank Bit https://amzn.to/3Z0TbRl
Longer Shank Bit https://amzn.to/3vsMcDq
Longer Shank with Port for more tongue relief https://amzn.to/3vtCVLc
Wonder Bit https://amzn.to/3jGSqgj
Wonder Bit with Twist https://amzn.to/3WTCndn
Bit Guards https://amzn.to/3Cd3EQ4
Curb Chain https://amzn.to/3voPGqy
Correction Bit https://amzn.to/3jEOGfj
Reins with colors to help hand placement https://amzn.to/3VyMlzU
Rubber reins to help grip https://amzn.to/3jBub34
Clip for easy attachment and added weight https://amzn.to/3Q1ited
How to use your hands with gaited horses https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDIfbdCzbdtRr1geDTygOjetBmhpukIWc
Free Training Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018259835184485/
DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission if you buy something. This helps support the website. Thank you for the support!