461 | Lightening Up on Your Inside Rein

When we first learn to ride, turning is often explained to us as merely a 'tug' or pull on one rein or the other to turn our horse's head. There is a general consensus being that where his head turns, his body will go..   However, anyone who has ridden a determined pony or horse will know that this is very often not the case... You can point the head where you 'want' to go, but often your horse will crab along sideways, almost following his hindquarters, in the opposite direction; which 90% of the time is the same direction as the stable! Later as we become more accomplished in the saddle, what started out as a simple instruction in our first lesson, has become an ingrained habit and something that we often feel nervous or anxious giving up control over!   So why are we thought to turn this way if it is indeed incorrect and, why later when we get into the nitty-gritty details of riding are we constantly hearing about softening or lightening our inside rein? I think the reason that we are thought this initially is threefold... Firstly, we get a quick win under our belts which then leaves us wanting more (translate into booking more riding lessons!). Secondly, even the best-coordinated person struggles when they first get into the saddle to use their different limbs and body parts in different ways all at the same time to produce the desired result!  And lastly, it's a control thing and one that we need to learn to let go of! Read More... Additional Resources for Equestrians Inside Rein to Outside Leg Applying the Rein Aids in Your Riding Why Forward is Essential for Contact Online community for equestrians working on their mindset & fitness Online Community for equestrians focusing on re-schooling horses (and ex-racehorses) Join Connection; The Online Membership for Equestrians