Yes, horse riders sometimes cross their hands holding the reins, but this is usually for very specific tasks or in certain disciplines, and it is generally not considered the standard or correct way to hold the reins for consistent control. The rider rein position is a critical element of horsemanship that directly affects how effectively a rider communicates with the horse.
The Fundamentals of Rein Holding for Riders
How a rider holds the reins is not just about comfort; it’s the primary tool for steering, slowing, and asking for collection. A proper English riding rein grip differs significantly from a Western riding rein position, but both prioritize clear, direct communication without causing discomfort to the horse.
Correct Rein Holding for Riders: A Universal Goal
The main purpose of the reins is to connect the rider’s hands to the horse’s mouth via the bit. This connection must be steady, supple, and consistent.
- Steady Contact: Good riders maintain light, steady contact. This means the line between the hand and the horse’s mouth is always there, like a rubber band that is slightly stretched.
- Suppleness: Hands must remain soft and follow the horse’s head and neck motion. Stiff hands cause bouncing and confusion for the horse.
- Direct Line: Ideally, the reins run from the bit through the horse’s mouth, through the hands, and down to the rider’s core.
Why Crossing Hands is Usually Avoided
In most general riding situations, crossing the hands is frowned upon. It creates several immediate problems for effective horse control with crossed reins.
- Loss of Direct Line: Crossing hands breaks the direct line to the horse’s mouth. The signal has to travel around the crisscrossed reins first.
- Ineffective Steering: Steering becomes clumsy. If you pull the left rein, the right hand often pulls inward, confusing the horse about which direction to turn.
- Reduced Sensitivity: The rider loses the fine “feel” of the horse’s mouth, which is vital for subtle cues.
Exploring Different Rein Holding Styles
The approach to holding reins varies widely based on the discipline being practiced. We can look at the main styles to see where crossing might or might not appear.
English Riding Rein Grip
In English disciplines (like Dressage, Show Jumping, or Eventing), the rider typically uses two hands equally.
- Dressage: Focuses on precise, independent hand aids. The hands are held low, near the horse’s wither, with thumbs up. They must remain completely separate to allow for independent rein aids.
- Jumping: Hands are often held slightly forward, allowing the horse freedom of its neck over fences. The hands rarely touch each other.
Western Riding Rein Position
Western riding styles often use one hand, especially in events like trail riding or pleasure classes.
- One-Handed Riding: The reins are gathered in one hand (usually the left). This frees the other hand for tasks like opening gates or signaling. The contact is looser, often employing a draped rein.
- Two-Handed Western: Used in disciplines requiring more precision, like cutting or reining, though the grip is different from English.
| Discipline | Typical Rein Use | Hand Separation | Primary Goal of Grip |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Dressage | Two hands, equal contact | Fully separated | Precision and collection |
| Western Pleasure | One hand, draped rein | N/A | Relaxed control, trail work |
| Reining | Two hands, precise contact | Lightly separated | Quick stops and spins |
When Riders Might Employ the Crossing Reins Technique
While generally discouraged, there are specific scenarios where a crossing reins technique might be intentionally used. These uses are usually brief, specialized, or situational.
1. Specialized Collection Aids (Briefly)
In very advanced dressage training, or when working on intense lateral flexion, a trainer might briefly ask a rider to cross the reins to emphasize a specific muscle engagement or a deep, temporary bend.
- This is highly controversial and requires an exceptionally well-trained horse and rider.
- The goal is to achieve a momentary deep flexion, not sustained contact. It is a training aid, not a riding style.
2. Correcting Strong Pullers (Emergency Measure)
If a horse bolts or ignores standard direct pressure, some riders employ extreme measures to regain control quickly. Crossing the reins can sometimes create an immediate, powerful leverage point if the rider pulls both reins inward toward their opposite hip pockets.
- Danger Note: This technique should only be used in emergencies. It relies on shocking the horse with intense pressure and can easily damage the horse’s mouth if held too long.
3. Double Rein Use in Riding
Riders using double rein use in riding (common in traditional classical dressage or driving) manage two sets of reins for each side—a curb rein and a snaffle rein.
- Even with four reins in hand, the goal is usually to keep the snaffle reins separate and the curb reins managed so they do not cross excessively, maintaining distinct actions for each bit. Uncontrolled crossing here leads to chaos.
Deciphering Rein Crossing Dangers
The risks associated with habitually using crossed reins far outweigh any perceived benefit for general riding. Recognizing the riding rein crossing dangers is essential for safe horsemanship.
Physical Risks to the Horse
- Mouth Injury: Crossed reins create uneven pressure. Pulling the left rein might press the right side of the bit against the bars of the horse’s mouth, causing pain, bruising, or long-term sensitivity issues.
- Neck Strain: The horse is encouraged to bend incorrectly or lean against the pressure, leading to muscle soreness in the neck and shoulder.
- Incorrect Frame: The horse cannot maintain a balanced, uphill frame because the rider’s aids are fighting each other.
Control and Communication Risks
- Conflicting Signals: This is the biggest issue. Imagine trying to steer a car where the steering wheel requires you to turn right to go left. The horse receives conflicting messages about direction and speed.
- Loss of Responsiveness: Because the cues are messy, the horse learns to tune out or ignore light aids, forcing the rider to use heavier and heavier pressure.
- Inability to Perform Maneuvers: Complex movements, such as rollbacks, flying lead changes, or precise lateral work, become impossible without clear, independent rein aids.
Fathoming Proper Rider Hand Placement on Reins
Mastering the rider hand placement on reins is foundational to becoming a skilled equestrian. This placement dictates the quality of the signal sent through the bit.
The Standard Grip (Two-Handed)
For most riding disciplines requiring precision, the hands should be positioned:
- Width: About 4 to 6 inches apart. This allows for subtle independent movement of each hand.
- Height: Generally level with the horse’s withers, or slightly lower depending on the frame required. In high collection, hands come down; in jumping, they move slightly forward.
- Position: Palms facing each other, thumbs pointed upward. The reins should pass between the thumb and forefinger. This position allows the rider to use wrist flexion (opening and closing the fingers) rather than just the shoulder or elbow to manage contact.
The Western “Loop”
In Western riding, especially when riding one-handed, the reins are often draped or looped over the neck, or gathered loosely in one palm.
- The key here is to maintain enough slack so the horse is comfortable but still has a light feel. If the rider’s hand relaxes too much, the slack can create a safety hazard if a sudden stop is needed.
Specialized Techniques and Rein Crossing
Some competitive styles require highly specific rein work where the management of multiple reins can look complex, but true crossing is still minimized.
Reining Patterns Rein Technique
Reining patterns rein technique demands incredible speed transitions and precise maneuvers like spins and sliding stops.
- Riders often use two hands in reining. While the hands may move close together during moments of transition, they must separate instantly to control the horse’s face during the spin or to maintain the straight line of the stop.
- A brief moment where the reins overlap slightly might occur as the rider shifts weight and prepares to transition, but sustained crossing would break the required straightness or control needed for the maneuver.
Using the Neck Strap vs. Crossed Reins
Sometimes riders feel the need to steady their hands, leading them to search for something to lean on—often resulting in crossing the reins for stability.
- A better solution is to use a neck strap or neck rein (in Western riding). A neck strap is a padded strap worn around the horse’s neck. If the rider needs a moment of stability, they can gently rest a hand on this strap instead of pulling on the reins. This provides security without compromising the communication line to the bit.
The Role of the Bit and Rein Type
The type of bit used heavily influences how the rider must hold the reins.
- Snaffle Bit: Requires direct, steady contact. Crossing the reins is particularly harmful as it applies uneven leverage.
- Curb Bit: Uses leverage. The reins apply pressure to the poll, chin groove, and tongue. If the rider crosses the curb rein, the leverage action becomes unpredictable and potentially painful for the horse.
Maintaining Clear Communication: A Summary
The objective in all riding is to achieve harmony with the horse. This harmony depends on clear, unambiguous signals.
When a rider crosses their hands, the clarity of the signal is immediately compromised. The horse receives a confusing mix of directions, pressures, and release cues. This makes complex horse control with crossed reins nearly impossible to maintain over time.
To ensure excellent communication:
- Keep hands independent.
- Maintain soft elbows and wrists.
- Practice exercises that require light, independent rein aids (like circles or serpentines).
- Never use crossed reins as a crutch for an unbalanced seat.
Riding is a conversation. Just as you wouldn’t shout mixed messages at a person, you shouldn’t send mixed signals through the reins. The standard for proficient riding always favors separate, supple hands positioned to give the clearest possible cue.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is it ever correct to cross the reins in English riding?
No. In standard English riding, crossing the reins is never considered correct technique. It disrupts the direct connection needed for steering and collection, leading to confusion and potential pain for the horse.
Q2: Why do some riders cross their hands when steering?
Riders who cross their hands when steering usually do so out of habit or because their seat is unstable. They may be leaning or using their upper body to turn, and the crossed reins are an attempt to physically pull the horse in the desired direction rather than using subtle aids.
Q3: Are crossed reins used in specific Western maneuvers?
While some complex maneuvers require hands to move close together, sustained crossing of the reins is generally avoided in Western disciplines, even in demanding events like reining patterns rein technique. The focus is on maintaining a light feel, often with one hand, which prohibits crossing.
Q4: What should I do if my horse is pulling and I feel tempted to cross my hands?
If your horse pulls strongly, the best approach is to sit deep in your seat, use your core muscles for balance, and apply firm, steady pressure to both reins equally until the horse softens. If you need more leverage, use a half-halt first. Avoid crossing them, as this will likely escalate the situation by causing pain and resistance.
Q5: How does the use of double reins affect rein crossing?
When using double rein use in riding, a rider manages four individual reins. While this requires complex hand management, the goal remains to keep the snaffle rein and the curb rein separate and distinct. Crossing them would mix the signals meant for the two different bits, making precise control impossible.