No reins

[LittleD]

I have been having one or two half hour lessons on my horse for about 2 months, about 12 half hour lessons in all.

So far, my instructor has had me on the lunge without reins - she tells me this is to get my leg position and balance in the saddle spot on so that when I do get my reins I don't grip onto them and pull myself forward - I know I do lean forward when riding with reins on other horses and since coming off my own horse I lack confidence - hence the lessons, but does anyone think this amount of lessons is necessary without reins and will it really give me better balance.

Don't mind paying so long as the plan works in the end - any opinions welcome

[galadriel]

Sounds like a good plan to me. Being lunged is a good way to help you develop security in the saddle. Developing security in the saddle will help you when you do take back your reins.

Have you seen any progress? Has your instructor? :)

[TBEventer2002]

You know, it's quite funny...

I have had lessons without reins before (on the lunge, of course). I like to think that I do not balance on my horse's mouth at all (my one mare will flip you off if she catches you snatching her or holding onto her mouth with an unreasonable amount of pressure, which is little more than featherlite contact). However, when without reins, I often feel left behind the motion and struggling to keep up and stay balanced. Even with hands in front as if I was holding reins I feel that way. But I am perfectly happy and comfy to throw away any contact at all and ride for an entire lesson without even coming close to touching the horse's mouth. Must be a mind thing, or else that extra few ounces of reins keep me balanced. :D Ha ha!

[Katy]

At my old riding school we used to always have lesson where we would ride without reins and without been on the lunge. We used to ride with no reins in walk, trot, canter and even jumping. It was a great way to get your balance and helps me alot as I used to tip fowards.

Also, at the riding school that I went to before that one the instructor used to take your reins off you if you had to much contact on the horses mouth.

Oh, must point out that none of us fell off when riding with no reins.

Kate

[jUmPingIsLifE]

working without reins is a great exerisize, and actually my favorite (when doing gymnastics:))