Handling your western reins as a beginner can be quite frightening. In particular in Western, coaches and trainers are always telling riders to have loose reins. Much like horse training, riders must begin with and understand the basics, which is essentially the direct rein. After that they can move up to bridged reins where they and the horse can work on using pressure from the bearing rein. One graduated from the bridged rein riders can work towards riding one handed. Which for a finished bridle horse that is the goal.
Basic Principles
A few basic principles about reins to start with. Like any skill with riding, shortening, lengthening and generally handling the reins takes practice. Start with the basics, hands and reins go slightly forward when you want the horse to go forward, reins resist or pull back (for lack of a better term) to stop or back up. Right direct rein means turn right and left rein means turn left.
Direct rein or Crossed reins
Back to the point here, the direct rein is held with one hand on each rein, held much like English reins. Riders should let the tail of the rein cross the neck of the horse so as if the rider drops the rein accidentally it does not fall to the ground and can be safely. Pictured below the direct rein held correctly.
Bridged Reins
The bridged reins are carried with two hands and the bight (the part in between your hands) should be able to be adjusted proficiently. When starting to use this rein, managing the slack in the bight is probably the most difficult thing. When a rider can manage the bight he/she can move on to working towards teaching the horse the bearing rein.
Bearing Rein
A bearing rein is when pressure from the rein is a cue to the horse to move away. At this stage, riders would be moving both hands together in effect mimicking riding one handed but while actually using two reins. When the horse can execute all essential movement in this matter, its time to move to one handed.
The rider pictured below is working towards using the bearing rein. The key to successfully using this rein is to not get too ahead of yourself. The rein that is doing the bearing should not become the dominant rein. It should rather support the opening rein on the other side. The rider should be able to coordinate the leg aids in turn to help guide the horse rather than just pulling the horse with the reins.
One Handed Split Rein or One Handed
There are various types of reins you can ride one handed in including split reins, romal and gaming reins. In the show pen split reins are the majority. Once you and your horse have graduated to riding one handed, you will be riding what professionals call a “Bridle Horse”. A bridle horse is a horse who can ride accurately in a shanked bit one handed.
The majority of the breed associations call for any horse over the age of 6 in the show pen to be ridden in such a way. The photo below shows a rider riding with split reins one handed. Take note this rider is holding their index finger between the right and left rein and the tails of the reins are both on the same side.
In conclusion, like anything in horses handling your reins starts at the basics. Once a rider has control at one level, move to the next.
