Oi the reins! How do you hold them?

[pooperscooper]

Hi!

So, I've been recently doing a bit of a Youtube horseriding videos marathon in preparation for the summer, from dressage to natural horsemanship, anything and everything. And I noticed how people hold their reins differently every time. So I'm wondering how are you guys holding your reins?
I go for the 'thumbs up to the sky' position as that is what I have been taught, also my hand is half-opened which according to a lot of people is incorrect as it causes rein slipping. But I've never had that problem? To me it's easier to control the pressure I put on the horse's mouth that way and as mine is very very mouth sensitive, I think it suits him more too than if I just held on the leather tightly. *scratches her invisible beard*
I noticed a lot of riders have hands and thumbs slightly twisted inwards, others outwards, some hold them extremely gently as I do, and some people look like their grip is similar to getting a bear hug.
So what do you guys do?

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

It depends what I am riding and what I am doing. My thumbs are never pointed towards the sky though.

When riding my lot at home my hands are probably at a 45⁰ angle. At work on the gallops they are again probably more 45⁰ but then my reins are bridged with the bridge resting on the horses neck as I am up out of the saddle. If I am just walking and trotting along with out a care in the world then its one handed.

 

[Clodagh]

I always thought they had buckles so you knew you were holding them in the middle ?. (Slop along rider here).

 

[pooperscooper]

It depends what I am riding and what I am doing. My thumbs are never pointed towards the sky though.

When riding my lot at home my hands are probably at a 45⁰ angle. At work on the gallops they are again probably more 45⁰ but then my reins are bridged with the bridge resting on the horses neck as I am up out of the saddle. If I am just walking and trotting along with out a care in the world then its one handed.

Makes sense! I usually adjust stuff too depending on what we're doing, but I still make sure to have the hands in an okay-ish position according to what I know.
I didn't mean thumbs up pointed up as in *thumbs up emoji* kind of a thing though, don't get me wrong That would send cramps through my whole arms, I've just tried that without holding anything and oh dear, I hope people don't ride like that, seems very uncomfy

 

[pooperscooper]

I always thought they had buckles so you knew you were holding them in the middle ?. (Slop along rider here).

Haha, yeah! I always wonder what's the buckle for, never figured it out. And some don't have it! I usually hold the buckle (if it the reins have it) middle when I want to let the Pooper graze, eat a random bush or stretch his head or lick his trail buddy, but I try to have him on contact most of the time. But he's not very muscular yet, so his walk/trot is a bit weird and his head is all over the place, which means a lot of adjusting
He's a rescue horsie and even though he's getting a lot of vet-recommended feed and stuff it takes a long time for him to gain weight, so he's a little on the thin side currently.

 

[Annagain]

As much as I try to have my thumbs up my right hand always turns in so my thumb points at my left hand. My left had is better but still goes in a bit. I've even had exercises from the physio to strengthen my wrist so my thumbs will stay on top but they haven't worked yet.

 

[ponynutz]

Yes, I have my thumbs up but I don't pay attention to it. My hand is more open than I'd like it to be but that's because I've got used to a very sensitive horse.

My biggest thing I focus on is keeping my hand 'strong' and my arms 'light' so they have the feel of contact but it's elastic enough to not feel heavy.

 

[blitznbobs]

Hands upright (my right tips to ‘piano playing mode ‘ if I dont think about it… thumbs on top hands closed round reins so they don’t slip but can wriggle fingers for a vibration down the reins if necessary

 

[milliepops]

yup. aim for thumbs on top as it keeps your wrist/arms in alignment but i have one that tends to tip if i don't keep an eye on it.

 

[Peglo]

My hands are usually untangling reins from mane

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Many years ago, dear Sybil Smith used to bark: hold 2 mugs of tea in those hands, gently but firmly, thumb pointing to the ears.

If you didn't comply, then 2 old enamel mugs were given (half full of water!) and you were made to ride around the ring holding them correctly!

 

[Polos Mum]

One of the centered riding great pictures is to imagine you're holding two birds - one in each hand.

You don't want them to fly off - or kill them by crushing
You also don't want to bash their heads together.

 

[Polos Mum]

found the picture - I find remembering pictures easiest

 

[Ratface]

Interesting thread. I've just grabbed the horse's bridle, and discovered the following: unless Old Horse is having a "see grass/fast forward" day, I have the reins running at equal length from French link bit ring to each hand, between ring and little fingers. Thumb on top, angled slightly inwards, elbows at hip level and shoulder to elbow generally straight down to hip. If OH is doing a fast one on grass, I bridge the reins across his neck, get out of the saddle, bum down, heels ditto and hope I can still persuade him to go at less than his preferred speed, which is flat out!
Apart from the latter, I try to keep a steady, light contact to encourage OH to maintain a stable contact at the front end which allows balanced impulsion over to his back end.
Never thought about it before. Just do what I've done for a long time.

 

[Gloi]

In one hand except in emergencies

 

[Ratface]

Sorry, that should read "over from his back end/central core muscles.

 

[Lois Lame]

I have many bad habits with my hands.
1. Pram hands more often than not. I make adjustments only to drift off and wheel the pram again.
2. Fingers not closed properly. Sometimes I close them. Two and a half seconds later they open again.
3. Constant slipping of my reins. I shorten them. They lengthen.

 

[Lois Lame]

View attachment 93249

found the picture - I find remembering pictures easiest

This is interesting because I know I have my wrists bent inwards more than this (on the occasions I am paying attention to and correcting my pram hands). This is possibly why I'm always fiddling about, not liking the length of my reins. I am reducing the level of taking of my rein. Bit of an ah ha! moment.

 

[rabatsa]

Different from riding, English Coachman.