Changes of Rein

Riding round and round the outside of a surface is very boring, and you will bury yourself in the trench that you and the horse create. By introducing as many varied ways as possible of using the space in the arena you can make life more interesting for you.

Many horses get used to the standard manoeuvres and will anticipate what you want to do. By trying some of these alternative ways of changing rein you will give you and your horse something new to think about.

Here and some exercises to do on a surface: -

1. Across the long diagonal

I'm sure you are all well used to this one. There are four different ways to use this change of rein starting from M, F, H, or K. When performing this change of rein, complete the corner (quarter circle), ride one or two straight strides before inclining from the track. Ride a straight line to a point just before the opposite quarter maker to ensure that you are on the outside track at the marker.

2. Across the short diagonal

There are eight different ways to use this change of rein, starting from M, B, F, H, E, or K. When riding this change from M, F, H, or K do the same as for the long diagonal, except that there is less ‘time' to organise the straight line across the surface. When starting from B or E, make sure that you prepare well as the horse may be expecting to continue along the outside track.

3. By a loop and returning to the track

This can be done anywhere on the surface there is room to incline back to the track.

Usually the half circles are of 5/10/15 metres being easy to judge within a 20 metre wide menage, but as you improve you can make them of any size you fancy.

They can also be done in reverse inclining in from the track and executing a 5/10/15 metre half circle and returning to the track.

4. Up/Down the centre line

This is one of the most difficult to ride, requiring a 10 metre half circle, a straight line (without walls or fence to help you) and another 10 metre half circle. This can be used to change the rein or keep the same rein, depending which way you turn at the other end. Rake the surface first, warm up and try it, see how accurately you can ride a straight line.
Tip - line up two objects in the distance, one on top of the other and this will help ride accurately. It will also help you to look up and ahead instead of at the ground between your horse's ears.

5. By turning across the school

Can be used in two ways either to change the rein or make a 20 metre square depending which way you turn. Again, this requires a straight line and an accurately ridden quarter circle from and to the track.

6. Serpentines

Can be of three or five loops, starting at A or C, describing a half circle with several straight strides before the next half circle.

It is possible to take serpentines further by including a complete circle within each loop or by completeing the half circle, with only one straight stride on the centre line, changing the bend and your diagonal, before starting the next half circle.

7. Two 20 metre, half circles through X

Start this exercise from A or C with a 20 metre half circle with one straight stride through X, change the bend and your diagonal then the second 20 metre half circle.

8. Two 10 metre half circles across the centre of the school

This change requires the horse and rider to make a 10 metre half circle, with one straight stride through X, change the bend and then make a second 10 metre half circle.

You can extend this by starting anywhere along the sides and varying the number of strides of the straight portion as you change the direction.

9. Change the rein within a 20 metre circle

This change is a combination of 5, 7 and 8 and requires suppleness from the horse and speed of reaction from the rider.

10. Five metre loop

Can be used in many ways, when you start to ride as an aid to help with steering and balance. When more advanced it can be used in walk, trot, or canter either to leg yield from and or to the track, and at canter to give a feel of counter canter on the return to the track.

11. Diamond

These can be used as an alternative to riding circles.

12. By Turn on the forehand/turn on the quarters

13. Loop and leg yield back to the track

Have a look at the leg yielding page for some tips.

These movements can also be used as part of drill rides.

Any we've missed?