The opening rein is a specific rein aid that comes in handy under certain circumstances. English riders often use an opening rein to straighten a horse through a line of jumps or to cue their jumper for an upcoming tight turn. Western riders rely on an opening rein when introducing fundamentals like side-passing. But perhaps the most common application of the opening rein is to steer a green horse that’s freshly started under saddle.
Most green horses have trouble maintaining a straight track (path) and weave aimlessly. It’s particularly evident in an arena, where they cut the corners and seem unable to stay alongside the rail. Though a simple direct rein will pull the greenie back onto the straight track, it also creates a bend in the horse’s neck and body. Soon you’re zigzagging and weaving even worse.
In contrast, the opening rein helps hold the greenie’s head, neck and shoulders straight. Then your inside leg presses against his ribs to push him back on track. In essence, you’re opening a door with your rein and pushing him through with your leg. Now doesn’t the term “opening rein” make sense?
Here’s a look at how to use an opening rein correctly. The green horse should be outfitted in some sort of snaffle bit, not a leverage (curb) bit. In this scenario, the horse is tracking left.
The opening rein may seem like a simplistic tactic, but it’s the foundation for even more advanced flatwork. Eventually you’ll create straightness in your young horse by using inside leg pressure to push him onto the outside rein. Mastering the opening rein will make it easier to graduate to that next level.
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Cindy Hale’s life with horses has been filled with variety. As a child she rode western and learned to barrel race. Then she worked as a groom for a show barn, and was taught to harness and drive Welsh ponies. But once she’d taken her first lessons aboard American Saddlebreds she was hooked on English riding. Hunters and hunt seat equitation came next, and she spent decades competing in those divisions on the West Coast. Always seeking to improve her horsemanship, she rode in clinics conducted by world-class riders like George Morris, Kathy Kusner and Anne Kursinski. During that time, her family began raising Thoroughbred and warmblood sport horses, and Cindy experienced the thrills and challenges of training and showing the homebred greenies. Now retired from active competition, she’s a popular judge at local and county-rated open and hunter/jumper shows. She rides recreationally both English and western. Her Paint gelding, Wally, lives at home with her and her non-horsey husband, Ron.
Good avise, that I will practice.
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