Outside rein & inside rein?? Confusion.

[Irishdiamond]

Can anyone please give me a clear definition on which is the outside rein and Inside one?? And what they are used for?
I can't seem to stick it into my head.

I always thought the outside rein was the rein closest to the wall of the arena and the inside rein is the one closest to the teacher but I don't know if this is correct. Once I'm riding I get mixed up and have now confused myself.

Thanks in advance )

 

[Destario]

In an arena the outside rein is the one against the wall and the inside is the one towards the middle of the arena. On a circle the inside rein is the one closest to the centre of the circle.

 

[planete]

In my head the inside rein is on the side the horse is bending towards no matter what movement the horse is performing or where the wall is. In a perfectly straight line in the school it would be the one nearest the wall.

 

[Shay]

No - your inside rein is the one to the inside of the circle. Be that a larger circle as in an arena or a smaller circle as in 20m or less. If you flex to the outside of the circle your inside rein does not swap to the other side by virtue of the flex.

Its difficult - without writing a book - to fully explain the difference between inside and outside rein. And anyway using the term rein moves emphasis away from rider position and horse balance which is what this is really about. But in very basic terms your inside rein controls softness and flex. Your outside rein controls impulsion and frame. But all that is created from the rider's body - not the hands.

 

[milliepops]

Urgh just typed a reply to this and the internet ate it.

Yes, inside/outside is a relative term depending on where you are in the arena and the direction you are travelling but broadly the idea that the inside rein is the one that you are bending towards holds true, particularly when riding the lateral work that requires flexion and bend around the inside wink3 leg. However, sounds like the OP may be some way off that at this stage.

In terms of what they are used for, this depends on the rider's level of knowledge and skill, and the horse's degree of training and development. Traditionally we ride from the inside leg to the outside hand, so the outside hand is a consistent contact that 'receives' the energy, assists with the maintenance of bend, controls speed and so on. The inside rein supports that but also has a role in introducing flexion etc.

OP, if you are at the start of your training then try not to worry about the details too much though... all this will come to make sense later. At the beginning, the inside will be the one towards the middle of the school and the outside will be the one towards the edge of the school.

 

[Irishdiamond]

Urgh just typed a reply to this and the internet ate it.

Yes, inside/outside is a relative term depending on where you are in the arena and the direction you are travelling but broadly the idea that the inside rein is the one that you are bending towards holds true, particularly when riding the lateral work that requires flexion and bend around the inside wink3 leg. However, sounds like the OP may be some way off that at this stage.

In terms of what they are used for, this depends on the rider's level of knowledge and skill, and the horse's degree of training and development. Traditionally we ride from the inside leg to the outside hand, so the outside hand is a consistent contact that 'receives' the energy, assists with the maintenance of bend, controls speed and so on. The inside rein supports that but also has a role in introducing flexion etc.

OP, if you are at the start of your training then try not to worry about the details too much though... all this will come to make sense later. At the beginning, the inside will be the one towards the middle of the school and the outside will be the one towards the edge of the school.

Brilliant thanks! I've been taking lessons on and off for years but only now taking it seriously in regards to learn how to ride properly and not just following the leader. After a few different instructors I got confused but attempt to ride inside leg to outside hand (usually) but not being able to ride frequently means I get flustered trying to remember everything.

Thanks for all the replies, I need to make it stick so I can get it right next time 8)