How to Ride With One Rein

Whether you need a free hand for carrying a whip or other object, you have an injury or disability or simply want to improve your horseback riding skills, you can learn how to ride and control your horse with just one hand. By transforming your dual reins into one, you can get the same results and free up a hand.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Sit on your horse and gather the reins in front of you. Determine a comfortable hand position and mark each rein with a pen or marker. At that point connect your reins so that if you happen to drop them they will not fall around the horse's neck. Depending on your personal taste and style of reins, you can braid the leather, tie a knot in the reins, slide a tight fitting bead in place or even wrap the reins with another piece of leather.
2. Rest in the saddle as normal and rest one hand on your lap so that you can practice before placing an object in your hand. If you are injured or disabled, simply use your good hand to hold the rein. When you ride without the need for commands, place your hand with rein in palm on the horn of the saddle to keep your balance.
3. Use your regular rein commands at first to guide your horse left or right, draping your hand across the horses neck when you want to move in the opposite direction of your hand. Pull up gently on the reins when you want your horse to slow down. These movements can be a bit challenging, as you will have to have perfect balance, but with time you can simply hold the rein on the horn and guide your horse with leg and voice commands.
4. Teach your horse leg commands if she doesn't already know. Depending on whether you ride Western or English, leg commands will be different, but usually include a tap or a nudge. Choose your leg commands and use them every time you use the rein commands. With time your horse will react to your leg commands and you will no longer need to use rein commands.
5. Choose a word and tone of voice to use with each command. As you move the rein or command with your feet, use a voice command as well. These will be up to you, but might include, left, right, halt, yah and other words that your horse will learn and associate with a trot, gallop, stop, turns and more.
6. Have patience as learning to ride with one rein in a new experience for you and your horse. However, with time and practice learning to ride with only one rein can be a great advantage as you can carry objects in the other hand, lead another horse, hold a rope or whip and more. If you happen to have an injury or a disability riding one handed is a great advantage as well, as you do not have to give up your favorite pastime.