Applying the Rein Aids as You Ride

Do you find yourself becoming confused and frustrated about how you are supposed to be using your rein aids while riding?  Do terms such as soften your rein, fill up your rein, hold with the rein, lighten the rein leave you baffled, not to mention how much pressure is good and how much is too much?! I want you to take a quick trip down memory lane and back to your first ride on a horse...  Chances are that back then, before you knew any different, you thought of your reins as the means to steer and stop your horse.  However, you soon began to realize that while your reins make up part of the system to do this, in order to really have a happy contact with your horse, you needed to reframe how you think of your reins and what you use them for. Your reins are, first and foremost, the way that you collect the energy your horse creates in his hindquarters and back, so you can then channel it where you want it to go.   This is done through you have a consistent contact on the rein, which allows your horse to build trust in you that you won't catch him or drop him while he is working into that contact. However, before you can even begin thinking about this, we must first discuss how your hand will come to meet the rein and the effect this has on you and your horse. Read More... Additional Resources for Equestrians:- Why Forward is Essential for Contact Improving Your Riding Coordination & Aids While Lunging Join Connection today and transform your riding journey Lunging for Riding – 4-week step by step program to transform your lunging experience Online community for equestrians working on their mindset & fitness Online Community for equestrians focusing on re-schooling horses (and ex-racehorses)