How to Hold Horse Reins

Do you want to know how to hold horse reins? Want your horse to move correctly? Then hold the reins right! Contrary to what you may think, there is a right and a wrong way to hold the reigns. Let us give you a few tips.

Horses are fine animals indeed. People own and ride them for a variety of reasons. Horses’ functional purposes are truly invaluable as there lots of people make a living working with these wonderful animals. They can be ridden while herding cattle or jockeys ride them at full speed to win first place.

There are some who function as pleasure horses. People ride them for pleasure such as trail riding. They are valuable transportation animals as well. They can cover terrain a motor vehicle can’t. Most importantly they can be considered as pets because caring for them entails responsibility and horses repay it with loyalty and just being a pleasure to be around.

People who have not ridden or owned a horse before may find the animal scary or daunting. After all, they are 1000 lb beasts of muscle and strength. Riding horses will always involve the presence of danger, especially, for novice riders. For beginners, their knowledge of controlling the horse is often associated with the reins. Their assumptions may be quite correct but they certainly have much more to learn.

Here’s how to hold the reins on a horse:

1. If you already know how to put a saddle on a horse and how to lead him, it is assumed that you have already connected or bonded with the horse. It is possible to have a strong connection with the horse even when you still haven’t ridden it.

2. If you are new to riding, have someone with the expertise supervise you. Remember that safety should always be a first priority.

3. When you are just starting to hold the horse’s rein, you should start to hold it in a manner most comfortable to you.

4. But what you want to do, though, is to flip the rein so that your thumb is on top with the rein to your horse’s bit runs through your hand, ideally, passing the space between your ring and pinkie finger.

5. Make sure that you’re not holding the reins too short and too loose or leaving too much slack. To adjust the rein length, adjust it with your thumb. You may need to use both of your thumbs to do this.

6. To shorten the rein, hold the rein with your left thumb and slide your right hand down to shorten the rein on your right hand and vice versa.

7. The idea is to make the length of rein from your hands to the horse’s bit even on both sides.

8. The position of your hands should be somewhat upright when holding the rein. Avoid doing the “piano hand” position it is very common mistake partly due to rider’s laziness.

9. Your hands should be far apart but no further than your horse’s back.

10. Keep relaxed. Arms should hang naturally but should never flap.

11. Keep your hands about an inch in front of the saddle and a few inches above the horse.

12. Avoid, jerking or pulling the reins unnecessarily. Keep your hands still as much as possible.