I get A LOT of questions from my viewers about reins and their hands. I want to preface this by saying that you should always try to make the sids first from your seat and legs. The rein aids should be used sparingly and only when absolutely needed. Top trained horses and riders use very subtle and minimal rein aids and mainly communicate with their horses via their seat and legs!
Here are the main types of rein aids:
Direct Rein Aid:
This is generally what you would use to get your horse a little rounder or for a flection aid. Direct rein aids are where you have a straight line from your elbow to the horses’ mouth. It’s important that your hands are not too high or too low.
Opening Rein Aid:
Opening rein aids are used for turning or steering as well as getting bend in your horse. Opening rein aids are where the rider takes the rein away from the horses’ neck.
Indirect Rein Aid:
This is where the rein goes across the horses mane line. This rein aid should be use sparingly and momentarily and should NEVE be used as a turning aid!
