Riding with reins in one hand

I ride two handed probably because I have two hands? I think one handed would make me lop sided in some way but no reason not to ride one handed especially on a hack.
 
They certainly teach one handed riding at riding schools, my nephew is regularly expected to put his reins in one hand and ride with the other on his head or do stuff like touching his toes or the pony's ears etc.
 
I tend to ride one handed when hacking. Used to ride all the time as a child without a saddle as parents couldn't afford one for ages. Gave me great balance. Also used to ride same pony in a halter. Sometimes ride the Fjord bareback with just a halter. Wouldn't dare try it yet with the others.
 
I often ride one handed when I'm off the road - I just find myself doing it without thinking really. Did a lot of bareback no headcollar stuff as a teenager - galloping up the field - just for fun. Yes definitely too much health and safety these days.
 
think i spent half my time when leading treks riding one handed and half turned in the saddle to keep an eye on the riders behind, when you ride 6 hours a day comfort takes precedent over style very soon lol. We always rode the ponies back to the fields bareback at the end of the day too, i'm always getting my daughter to ride her pony bareback, although i make her wear a hat unlike me;) not really taught her to do one handed though, will have to incorporate a bit of that in our sessions i think:D
 
Surely you don't need to be 'taught' to ride with one hand? Afterall we shouldn't really need our hands but ride from our seat and legs the majority of the time...although hands do come in useful if the horse decides to spoook! :rolleyes::D
I've recently started working at a polo yard and I honestly don't find riding with the reins all in one hand any different. No one 'taught' me how to ride with the reins in one hand, you just...do it :D And its actually a lot easier than riding two handed with a 'proper' rein contact!
 
All the kids I know ride one-handed, no-handed, bareback, bridleless, etc. etc. just as we always did as youngsters. Apart from probably in a Riding School or formal setting such as PC where there are duty of care and insurance issues left to their own devices I don't see kids behaving or riding significantly differently from previous generations including my own.
 
I guess I just feel it is safer to ride with one hand. That's how I was taught, aged 4. It was only when I joined the Pony club that there was any pressure to ride two handed - and of course as soon as you took part in gymkhana games you needed to be able to ride one-handed anyway.

Bumbleex - LOVE the pic of your son. And the lady (wretched computer won't run back) riding her heavy horses without saddle or bridle. Glad there's still a few of us about!
 
i think im old school; In order to strengthen up my seat and position i was placed (on the lunge) bareback and no reins, not even a neck strap! I could steer my older horses with my legs and seat. I guess its how confident you are in your ability and in your horse - if you have that bond and trust each other implicitly then its fab!! there is no better feeling!
Anyone else subjected to carrying to full cups of water in your hands whilst riding - I remember getting very wet when I first started! x
 
I ride one handed as need other for my cigarette. And when it's windy no hands on reins and head tucked inside jacket so I can light cigarette.
 
I ride with 1 hand and no saddle 99% of the time out hacking !
To be honest im very good with 1 hand and can control my horse perfectly.
 
I used to love hacking round the fields on a cob I used to own, bareback and just in a headcollar. Nothing on earth beats a good gallop across a huge field, feeling "as one" with your horse minus tack :D
I sometimes schooled him in a headcollar too. He worked in a beautiful natural outline too ! He did amazing halt to canter and even rein back to canter transitions. Oh, and he was a "keen" ride and drive ! :D
 
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