Horsemanship Lessons - Rein Aids

Here is my take on rein aids. Suggestions and comments are welcome.

------ EXPLAINING REIN AIDS ------
When asking about rein aids, most people can name two; direct (plow) and indirect (neck). These two rein aids only scratch the surface. There are actually five distinct rein aids; direct (plow), Opening/Leading, indirect in front of the withers, indirect behind the withers and lifting. In addition, there is no difference between Western and English rein aids. The horse responds to the rein aids the same no matter what saddle they have on. In explaining the different rein aids, I first want to explain what a rein aid is. Rein aid simply refers to how a rider moves their hand and the direction of pull on a horse’s mouth. A rider moves their hand either in opposition to the horse’s movement or in support of the horse’s movement.

Direct: The ride’s hand moves from the neutral hand position directly towards the rider’s hip. There is a backward pull on the rein and therefore used in opposition of the horse’s movement. When a single rein is used the goal is to either steer the horse in a direction or cue the horse to supple their head/jaw/neck. When both reins are used together the goal is to slow/stop/back the horse.

Opening/Leading: The rider moves their forearm to the side and not back and therefore this aid is used in support of the horse’s movement. This rein aid is often used as a training aid, such as when you are first teaching a horse to follow it’s nose or teaching lateral movements (sidepass, turn on the haunches, etc.). It is a leading rein when it is the inside rein to cue a direction and an opening rein when you are using the outside rein to move the horse’s shoulder or barrel out.

Indirect Rein In Front Of The Withers: The rider lifts up and in on the rein toward the horse’s neck in support of the horse’s movement. In other words, from the neutral hand position just turn your pinkie toward the horse’s withers without pulling back while moving the rein in an upward diagonal motion. The inside rein comes across the horse’s nick in front of the withers. This rein aid is used to move the horse’s shoulder in the opposite direction while the nose stays in the direction of the turn.

Indirect Rein Behind The Withers: The rider lifts the rein up and back toward the rider’s opposite shoulder, in a motion like crossing your heart and the inside rein comes across the horse’s neck behind the withers. This aid works in opposition of the horse’s movement. This rein aid us used to move the horse’s hip away from the rein aid while the horse stays bent toward the rein hand, such as in a turn on the forehand or disengagement of the hindquarters.

Lifting: The rider simply lifts the rein upward and parallel along the horse’s neck. This rein aid is used to lift the horse’s shoulder and support it through a turn or during a canter/lope transition.

Remember with all rein aids, it is not the amount of pull that causes a horse to react but the direction of pressure or the rider’s hand movement that causes the reaction. Also, when riding with two-hands, your hand should never cross the horse’s withers to be effective and leg/seat aids should be used together with the rein aid.