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Bonnie Anderson, author of Horse Tales & Tips
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About the Author
Bonnie Anderson has a two year degree in Horse Science, has worked at two
horse training/breeding facilities, and has had numerous articles
published while raising and training her own horses. She owned a saddle
shop for a few years and now has a book published called Horse Tales &
Tips. She is also a life time member of the Pony Express Riders of Iowa.
Visit our Equine Bookstore - loaded with the latest books on horse care, handling and training.
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Teaching Your Horse to Neck Rein
by Bonnie Anderson
~ December 2000 ~
Horses and humans do not speak the same language, thus a communication device of some sort is needed to insure that the horse understands our human commands. When mounted, this device is called a bridle. The reins attached to a bridle are used as an extension of our hands to guide the horses speed and direction in which we ride.
One of the first rein aids the horse will learn to follow is the direct rein. When you pull on the left rein, the horse will go left. The same applies when going to the right. Grasp the rein about halfway down and pull gently, releasing the pressure on the opposite rein so the horse can turn his head in the direction you indicate. Riding with a direct rein requires two hands. Your horse should respond easily to the direct rein before ever moving on to neck reining.
To teach your horse to neck rein you must start with the direct rein aid and gradually add the pressure of the opposite rein to the horses neck while you are turning. When turning to the right, grasp the right rein halfway down and pull gently while at the same time releasing the tension on the left rein and laying it across the horses neck as a supporting rein. You are still using the right rein to turn, but the left rein is now beginning to cue the horse to the direction of travel by helping to gently push your horse over.
Applying a leg aid to the side of the supporting rein will help the horse to understand which direction to go. Remember that your hands and legs do the same thing. Your direct rein hand is moving out and away from the horse, so also should the leg on that side move out and away. Your supporting rein is pressed into the horse, so also should the leg on that side press into the horse. Gradually you will use the supporting rein more than the direct rein, depending on how quickly your horse grasps the idea. Some horses may learn neck reining in just a few lessons, while others may take several.
If in the early stages of training your horse tosses his head in protest, then he is possibly getting mixed signals. You may be pulling the direct rein to the right, but the left supporting rein is pulling on his mouth as well. Loosen your left rein and let only the weight of it on his neck cue your horse until he begins to understand what it means. Then you can add more pressure on the supporting rein, and less on the pulling rein, until you are using only one hand for both reins.
Things to avoid are yanking on the horses mouth if he doesnt respond as quickly as you like. Perhaps he doesnt quite know what youre asking of him. Repetition and patience are the keys to helping your horse to learn anything new. The lack of communication is usually the first cause of a horses misbehavior, so look to yourself first for any rider mistakes. Dont be afraid to go back to the beginning and see which particular segment the horse is having difficulty doing if you seem unable to make any progress. Take your time and you will see good results. Just remember that neck reining is one more step on the path toward a well trained horse.
. A few will be chosen for each issue.
Pony Express Riders of Iowa:
Each spring the Pony Express Riders of Iowa saddle up for a special
occasion. From across Iowa they gather together the local donations from
horseback. Then in an old fashioned Pony Express ride, they ride from all
corners of the state to converge on Camp Sunnyside, a camp for the
disabled near Des Moines. The donations are used to help run the camp.
Watching the combined horsemen ride the final miles to the camp brings a
lump to ones throat for the Pony Express Riders freely give their time
and effort for such a worthy cause. For more information about them
contact the Easter Seal Society of Iowa.
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