How to Hold a Horse's Reins
To gain a trustful relationship with a horse, a rider must master the basics of riding, including how to hold reins.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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3
Hold the reins in place with your thumbs against your forefingers.
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4
Hold your hands in the thumbs-up position, with your palms slightly downward and thumbs turned toward each other. Hold your hands no farther apart than the width of the horse's neck.
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6
Keep your hands about an inch in front of the saddle and a few inches above the horse.
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7
Lift your thumbs and let the reins slide out to add length. Shorten the reins by using the opposing hand to take up extra length.
Tips & Warnings
Imagine a straight line going from your elbows through the reins to the horse's bit.
Keep your hands still and don't jerk or pull at the reins.
Horseback riding is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.
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Comments
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LaurieBee81
Aug 22, 2008
This may be correct positioning for the purposes of showmanship (I'm no expert in Western), but when riding a less-than-perfectly trained horse, I have always been taught to bring the reins through the underside of your fist and out through the top, by your thumb. This is essential to maintaining control when riding a green or uncooperative animal, as the method you've illustrated here provides no leverage against pulling or head-tossing. Nothing is to keep the reins from sliding through your grip, no matter how strong it may be. Just a note for the inexperienced rider reading this eHow. -
LaurieBee81
Aug 22, 2008
This may be correct positioning for the purposes of showmanship (I'm no expert in Western), but when riding a less-than-perfectly trained horse, I have always been taught to bring the reins through the underside of your fist and out through the top, by your thumb. This is essential to maintaining control when riding a green or uncooperative animal, as the method you've illustrated here provides no leverage against pulling or head-tossing. Nothing is to keep the reins from sliding through your grip, no matter how strong it may be. Just a note for the inexperienced rider reading this eHow. -
DukeSPS
Oct 07, 2007
Learners Note: The picture is not showing the English way of holding reins as described! -
DukeSPS
Oct 07, 2007
Learners Note: The picture is not showing the English way of holding reins as described! -
horse_lover
Nov 12, 2006
hold careful and dont pull the reins hard or else the horeses mouth gets hurt. hold light and gently.