Horse Care & Riding : How to Hold a Horse's Reins

Keeping hands upright, hold a horse's reins in between the ring and pinkie fingers. Learn more about holding a horse's reins with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.

Expert: Mara Keith-Hunter
Contact: www.sycamore-stables.com
Bio: Mara Keith-Hunter is a lifelong equestrian and head coach for the Hampshire College equestrian team.
Filmmaker: David Pakman

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• horseback riding
• horse back
• horse care
• horse riding
• equestrian
• grooming horses

[rodeoqueen1300]

ok, why do people dog on the opposite riding style all the time? they are both equally hard and equally enjoyable! if you ask me, western riders are extremely talented and english riders are extremely talented. ANYONE who rides horses is extremely talented. its a hard, yet very rewarding, sport. which is one of the many reasons its the second most dangerous sport in the world. but hey, thats the thrill of it. i love to just hop on a horse, warm up and head off on the trail one handed at a run :)

[youwhoo888]

Actually this is the right way, lol. She's described it perfectly :)

[CornSnake43]

@rodeoqueen1300 I completely agree.

People only say ride western or ride English because that's the way that they do it.

[cmaurisset83]

g rien comprit a ce quel dit !!

[trizan123]

That IS what I do, lol :P

[PenguinPownage]

I originally learned english so i hold my reins like this but now I do natural horsemanship/western

[horselover5504]

Thanks it was very usefull! I've been riding waestern all my life and I want to learn how to ride English!

[musicislife2211]

@neonrider333 i was answering her (i'm assuming pnkrockerchik762 is a girl, at least) question. i don't really know what you're referring to when you ask why does it matter.

[neonrider333]

@musicislife2211 why does it matter?

[embobba]

Im starting horse riding lessons on saturday (in 3 days) and i just wanted to get an idea and this was perfect!!

[musicislife2211]

@pnkrockerchik762 The difference is mostly in the saddle, in my opinion. A Western saddle has a horn, whereas the English one does not. Also, western saddles are typically harder to fall out of, just because you have the horn to hold on to if the horse shies, or catches you by surprise. English riders are forced to rely more on their own balance to stay in the saddle, and it's a slighter built saddle. IMO western is good for building basic balance, but english is good to build your balance on.