Did you know that how you hold the reins affects how balanced and stable you will be when your horse spooks or trips?
Or that it also affects not just your rein contact but how fluidly your whole body is able to move in sync with your horse?
Gripping the reins too tight or holding them too loosely can be equally as negative for your riding. This has to do with stabilizing versus mobilizing muscles as well as the difference between mobile or too-tensed joints.
In this video, I will show you how to hold the reins, so they don’t slide out of your hands, you can maintain good contact, and be soft on your horse’s mouth.
Hit play below and I’ll see you in the comments!
Callie
p.s. There’s a test you can to feel this from the ground – I bring our cameraman out from behind the camera to demonstrate this one… don’t miss it!
37 Responses
Thank you for giving this demonstration of rein holding. Such a big help!
Brilliant. I will try this. Also thinking about bitless bridle can you recommend a good make please.
Hi Jacqueline, you can click here to watch our video about bitless bridles.
-Julia, CRK Training Community Manager
You have a gift for teaching. Informative and helpful. Thank you.
Great to visually see and learn the difference. I will now ride with my reins in this new position. Thank you xx
WOW…that’s a real eye opener
Thank you
interesting experiment…thanks
What kind of saddle are you riding with? It looks comfy!
Hi Molly, this saddle is by the brand Black Country.
-Julia, CRK Training Community Manager
Good demonstration of hand tension and how it effects balance, reactivity and overall body position/tension. I am a western rider and use split reins. Typically we ride w/ our hands flat and somewhat relaxed grip. Using one whole hand around both reins and a single whole hand around the rein on the corresponding side as the hand. Exchanging hands as needed during ride. Whole hand as opposed to between third and fourth finger to protect the ligaments from being sprained and to lend more strength of grip, if needed.
Thanks! I always learn something from your videos.
Thank you! Great tip!!!!
Wow, very graphic portrayal of something that was counterintuitive! Thanks so much Callie…again!
Learn something new every day……..who knew!!
When learning to ride I was taught this, to hold the rein like you are holding a small bird in each hand, too tight will hurt the bird, too soft it will escape. The rein between 3rd finger and little finger, the thumb on top to steady and hold the rein.
Good video Thankyou x
Could you clarify?
The tighter the grip the more Ken stood firm and unable to move him
The lighter the grip , then ken was easier to move……
Look at the video again. It’s exactly the other way around than what you wrote.
My understanding was the opposite.
Tightening your hand makes you easier to move Leah – give the exercise a try with a friend 🙂
Julia
CRK Training Community Manager
Wow! Effective demonstration!
As Sally Swift says, “Hold your reins as if they were little birds.”
Thanks Callie for this video. My biggest problem (I do have many of them) has always been holding reins and no instructor has been able to get me / show me the right way over the last 4+ years. My arms would be straight/stiff when I wanted to shorten the reins. Many times I was also left wondering whether my arms were disproportionally smaller than my body. Also of course the universal problem – too tight reins or too loose! Wrapping your fingers around the reins in the right way probably will help me a bit in overcoming this – of course when I get back to riding.
Super sweet camera guy.. chuckles!
Awesome tutorial! You are amazing 🙂
We have some fun on our filming days if you couldn’t tell Alicia!
-Julia, CRK Training Community Manager
Can you tell me what brand bitless bridle you have on Ruger? When and why do you choose to use one?
I’ve been considering trying one on my Appaloosa.
Hi Vicki, you can click here to watch our video on bitless bridles.
-Julia, CRK Training Community Manager
That’s amazing – I have been riding since I was 10 and am 69 now and no one has explained how to hold the reins like that before.
Can’t wait to ride tomorrow and experiment with my hand position! Great video!
Happy practicing Cindy!
-Julia, CRK Training Community Manager
Wow! Extremely helpful. I was the too soft hands one. The pushing test at the end was really helpful.
Great! I’m glad that visual was beneficial Laura 🙂
-Julia, CRK Training Community Manager
Very helpfull how can I demonstrate to my student to give them the good feel.
Caroline, I’m glad this video was helpful!
-Julia, CRK Training Community Manager
Gosh is this timely! My instructors have repeatedly told me to close my fingers and shorten the reins. I’m the too soft example. I can’t wait to try holding the reins as demonstrated by Callie at my next lesson. Thank you!
Hope it goes well next time you are in the saddle Carrie!
-Julia, CRK Training Community Manager
Thank you for this information. I would love to see a demonstration on riding one handed.
Wow this is the best description how to have soft hands! My FEI horse tends to get very strong; finally a way to keep him sop please. I had the most supple tempi changes today! Thank you!
Awesome Jane!
-Julia, CRK Training Community Manager
Thank you Callie for giving more information about this! I think it’s something that often gets missed in a rider’s early education before creating some habits that may be hard to break.