Riding without reins

Teaching yourself to ride without reins will not only improve your balance, but will also improve the balance of your horse, says Dr Mac.

- Dr Mac.

Over the years, I have found that one of the main reasons for poor balance in riders and poor behaviour in horses is that riders use their reins for balance. This causes injuries to the gums, neck and back muscles of the horse, which in turn may result in these horses bucking, bolting or exhibiting other undesirable behaviour. Removing the reins in this instance could work wonders to improve the horse’s behaviour. For example, I once reschooled a top showjumper with a tendency to bolt by having him ridden in a rope halter. We then moved on to a snaffle bit with loose reins. It stopped bolting.