Neck Reining/Plough Reining

[FRED]

What is the difference between neck reining and plough reining ?
While on holiday in Canada I was told that plough reining is not good for a horse and only people set in their ways 'plough rein'.

[Outrider]

Hi Fred,

Neck reining is a western technique, having the reins in one hand only, guiding the horse with opposite neck pressure instead of bit pressure. That is, if I want to go left, I lay the right rein against the neck and vice versa.

"Plow reining" is really a western rider's way of talking about directional reining, which is used in english riding. That is, when plowing with horses, you have the reins in both hands, pulling the right rein to go right and the left rein to go left. This puts more emphasis on the bit and the mouth rather than the neck for direction. Correct me if I am wrong, but english riding uses this technique, using more emphasis on the bit than the reins against the neck. Of course both techniques are used in conjunction with leg pressure to give a total communication effect to the horse. Happy Trails my friend

[JumperGirl]

Hi,

actually, im always taught not to pull on the reins,
if i want to turn left, i put my left rein on the neck, and use my legs, and barely do anything with my inside rein.

because my instructor once told me to steer with my outside rein, or else she would cut the inside one off! lol

my coach is dressage, so maybe this is why.

[Outrider]

In neck reining, you don't pull on the reins, you lay them against the neck and push with them along with leg cues.

[FRED]

Hi, when I rode horses trained only in Western,I found that neck reining was amazing, horse would respond with the gentlest move of the rein against their neck.

They could turn on a sixpence and hated any contact on the bit by you pulling on the reins. Your balance on the western saddle is
amazing too.
I found that we could do things I dare not normaly, but I have seen English trained riders who are very much more advanced{to say the least}do the same things on English trained horse.
oh such a long way for me to go:)
Fred

[floppy]

my hafffie is learning neck reining.she is still a novice so she doesnt quite understand that laying the reins on her neck is the signal to turn and she keeps walking in a straight line :D
but once or twice we do succeed and she gets a cuddle and maybe a treat!:)
she is brillaitn at stopping and walking backwards but she walks sooooo slowly backwards you fall asleep waiting for her to take the second step :D..other horse just zoom past her backwards!

[FRED]

Hi floppy, good luck with your Haffie and neck reining, I think that
many people would be surprised at how relaxed you can be while working with a horse western way.
Best wishes from Fred

[Shadowfox]

If someone says that their western horse plough reins, it usually means that the horse wears a curb but requires direct aids. It is often used to refer to a poorly trained horse. These horses need to be ridden in a snaffle if possible, and trained to neck rein. Most plough reining horses I've met require inhuman strength on the reins to get them to turn, not good for any horse and especially on the curb!

[floppy]

thanks fred,
i actually believe that western riding might be a really good thing to try with people who are really nervous of riding..you relax at no end and you dont worry at all about falling off....unless you
are me and debate as to whether you should let the haffie gallop up her favourite hill or just walk....i always give in and let her gallop adn i almost fell off...some horses labelled slow and lazy can be really quite powerful and fast when they want to be...its a good wake up call i tell you :D