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Loose-rein Riding

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PUBLISHED ARTICLES
by Ruth Mazet

Regular features by Ruth Mazet have appeared in:

Your Horse

Horse and Rider

Horse magazine

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Nine times out of ten, the horse on a loose rein is a happy horse.  He may not look the picture of perfection in terms of correct equitation, but without any discomfort in his mouth, he is calm, relaxed and listening, willing and able to do what we want, without making a fuss about it. 

Loose-rein riding allows the horse to carry his head as he chooses.  For maximum comfort this generally means a long, out-stretched neck, the head held low and with the nose somewhere above the vertical.  As shown here, the horse may sometimes shorten his neck and raise his head for his own purposes.

Where greater contact is needed for more precision work, the reins may make a straight line from the bit to the rider's hand, but without interfering with the horse's head-carriage.  This tells the horse to pay attention, while still keeping him happy in the mouth and relaxed.  In this state, he is ready, willing and able to respond to the lightest touch of the reins.

The simple aids

With loose-rein riding, the obvious question arises. 

"How do we control the horse when we have no reins?" 

The answer is - with the simple aids.  In the early stages of training, the horse learns that a 'feel' or pull on one rein means he should turn left or right.  All we have to do is open the rein or move the appropriate hand in a sideways direction.  The horse is so sensitive, he knows what we want. 

Similarly, for slowing down and/or coming to halt, a light feel or pull on both reins simultaneously will do it.  Should one 'feel' or pull not make our intentions clear, we simply do the same again.  

The signal to slow down or stop comes from the release of the reins, not the pulling.

Again, a single light squeeze of the legs tells the horse to go forward or faster.  Sometimes, the mere tightening of the leg-muscles will do it.  Where the horse is a little reluctant and does not respond at first, each successive squeeze is applied a little harder.  As a general rule, there should be no need to kick the horse at all.

The essence of the simple aids is to use one at a time, ie, the reins for slowing down, stopping and turning and the legs to go forward or faster.  Using both together can make the horse confused.  That's where the trouble starts and anything can happen!

Where the simple aids may break down is when the horse is has only known a short, tight rein and is generally tense or nervous.  Releasing the leg pressure and avoiding all contact with the horse's sides always helps such a horse, but the problem with the reins remains.  

To help such a horse, giving him back the freedom to carry his head as he chooses needs to be done slowly, letting the reins out a little at a time until full relaxation is reached.

Aside from the precision of competition riding, all horses should be able to do whatever is wanted on a loose, free rein - including cantering and jumping.

The horse who is comfortable and familiar with loose-rein riding will always be light and responsive, as long as he continues to be ridden that way.  Why not try it and see.  Find out how responsive your horse can be!

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