Yes, horse riders sometimes cross their hands when holding the reins, but this action is generally discouraged in most classical riding disciplines because it interferes with clear and direct communication between the rider and the horse.
The Role of Reins in Horse Communication
The reins are vital tools. They connect the rider’s hands to the horse’s mouth via the bit. This connection allows the rider to give aids—signals—to the horse. Good communication relies on steady, supple contact. How riders hold reins directly impacts this vital link. Many different horse rein holding techniques exist, shaped by discipline and tradition.
Basic Principles of Rein Contact
Effective rein contact means maintaining a light, consistent connection. The goal is not to pull, but to “feel” the horse. This feeling allows the rider to respond instantly to the horse’s movements. Poor rein handling creates confusion. It can cause the horse to become resistant or unresponsive.
Deciphering Reins Crossing Riding
Why might a rider cross their hands? And when is it seen? Reins crossing riding is a specific action that can happen intentionally or accidentally.
Accidental Crossing
Accidents happen, especially when learning. A beginner rider might drop one rein or lose their balance. When they try to catch the rein, their hands can cross over. This is rarely useful and often startling for the horse. If the reins cross, the rider loses the direct line to the bit. This sudden, uneven pressure can cause the horse to jerk its head or misinterpret the signal.
Intentional Crossing in Specific Contexts
In some niche areas or specific maneuvers, crossing hands might occur briefly, but it is not standard practice for general riding.
A Note on Western Riding
In western riding rein holding, riders often use a neck rein or a split rein. They frequently hold both reins in one hand (the “over-and-under” grip). While the hands themselves might not cross in the formal sense, the way the reins are managed can appear complex, especially during fast stops or spins. However, the hands usually stay relatively close and parallel, not crossing directly over each other like an ‘X’.
Jumping Situations
For a jumping rider rein technique, the focus is on giving the horse freedom over the jump. Riders often shorten their reins for control on the approach. During the actual jump effort, riders sometimes use a “release,” pushing the hands forward. In this forward motion, if the rider is not careful, the hands can momentarily drift toward each other, but a true crossing is inefficient for landing and re-establishing control.
Examining Rider Rein Grip Across Disciplines
The rider rein grip changes dramatically based on what the rider is trying to achieve. These different grips affect how close the hands are to each other.
Dressage: Precision and Softness
In dressage, precise control is paramount. The goal is soft, elastic contact. Rein handling in dressage emphasizes keeping the hands steady, level, and often slightly apart, usually shoulder-width or less.
| Dressage Rein Position | Hand Placement | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Contact | Hands slightly apart, palms down | Consistent feel and direct aid delivery. |
| Half Halt | Slight steadying pressure | Asking for attention and balance adjustment. |
| Rein Back | Slow, steady drawing back | Signaling the horse to step backward. |
Crossing hands in dressage would immediately break the straight line of energy from the rider’s seat through the hand to the horse’s mouth. This is severely penalized in competition because it restricts the horse’s ability to use its back correctly.
English Versus Western Styles
The fundamental difference lies in the type of bit and rein used, which dictates the correct rein holding for horseback riding in that style.
- English Style (e.g., Dressage, Hunt Seat): Usually uses a snaffle or double bridle. Requires two hands, one on each rein. Hands must stay independent and quiet. Crossing hands is a major fault.
- Western Style: Often uses a curb bit. Riders commonly use one hand for both reins (split or looped rein). This frees up the other hand for ranch work or specialized maneuvers.
Fathoming the Mechanics of Rein Crossing
When reins cross in hand, the result is often detrimental to clear communication.
Loss of Direct Line
When hands cross, say, the left rein ends up near the right hand and vice versa, the rider loses the ability to apply an isolated, direct aid. If the rider intends to turn left (applying pressure with the left rein), the crossed rein might unintentionally pull the right rein, causing confusion.
Impact on the Horse’s Mouth
Horses rely on subtlety. A sudden crossing of hands translates instantly to uneven, perhaps even crossed, pressure on the bit. Imagine trying to steer a car where pulling the left steering wheel sometimes turns the car right—that is the feeling for the horse. This uncertainty discourages the horse from seeking the bit willingly.
Maintaining Effective Rein Contact
Effective rein contact requires the hands to act as independent yet coordinated extensions of the rider’s seat. They need to move with the horse’s head and neck motion, absorbing movement rather than resisting it. When hands cross, this natural absorption is blocked. The hands become rigid or move erratically.
How Riders Hold Reins for Stability
For stable riding, especially at speed or over obstacles, riders need a secure but soft hold. This relates directly to how riders hold reins.
- The Loop: Most English riders create a small loop of slack in the reins, held between the thumb and forefinger.
- The Grip: The rest of the fingers wrap around the rein, securing it without squeezing tightly.
- Hand Position: Hands are held slightly above the saddle pommel, wrists straight, elbows slightly bent.
This secure, aligned grip naturally prevents the hands from migrating inward and crossing.
When Crossing Might Be Necessary (Briefly)
Are there any times a rider might intentionally cross their hands? In extremely specialized or rare situations, perhaps, but it is never for extended periods or for general directional control.
Extreme Situations
If a rider loses control completely—perhaps the horse bolts or shies violently—a rider might instinctively grab both reins together with both hands in a desperate attempt to stop forward motion. In this panic scenario, the hands might overlap or cross simply to secure a firm grip on all available leather. This is a reaction, not a technique.
Maneuver Re-establishment
Occasionally, after a complex movement or a quick transition where the horse was momentarily overbent (too much inside bend), a rider might use a quick outside rein aid to straighten the horse. This outside rein aid might momentarily cross very close to the horse’s neck, but the rider’s hands themselves usually maintain a distinct separation, even if one hand moves further out to the side.
The Technique of Rein Lengthening and Shortening
Controlling the length of the rein is key to communication. This is where the hands must work smoothly.
Shortening the Reins
To shorten the reins, the rider draws the hands slightly back toward the hips while maintaining the soft grip. If done unevenly, one hand might move further back than the other, potentially leading to a crossing motion if the rider tries to compensate by pulling one hand across the centerline.
Lengthening the Reins
To give the horse more freedom, the hands move forward, allowing the slack to pass through the fingers. This movement should be smooth. If the hands move too far apart during lengthening, or if the rider loses balance and has to reach, crossing can happen as they try to quickly bring the hands back to a central position.
Building Good Habits: Preventing Hand Crossing
For all riders, especially those working on developing correct rein holding for horseback riding, focus must be placed on hand positioning.
Focus on the Elbow Connection
Think of the arm as a gate hinge. The elbow is the hinge point. The forearm should remain relatively vertical. This alignment naturally keeps the hands apart and provides a clear path to the bit. If the elbows stick out wide, the hands drift inward toward the horse’s neck, increasing the chance of crossing.
Exercises to Improve Hand Position
Riders can practice these drills without even riding, or while riding at the walk:
- The Steering Wheel Drill: Pretend the reins are a car steering wheel. Keep your hands separated and steady, moving them only as a unit when turning.
- Shoulder Blade Focus: Concentrate on keeping your shoulder blades pulled slightly back and down. This posture opens up the chest and helps keep the arms in the correct position, discouraging inward drift.
- Holding an Object: Hold a small, soft object (like a tennis ball) lightly in each hand while riding. If the balls touch, the hands have crossed or are too close.
The Specifics of Rein Handling in Dressage
Dressage demands extreme refinement. The slightest deviation in hand position is noted by judges. The relationship between the hands and the horse’s mouth is paramount for achieving collection and suppleness.
Lateral Aids and Independence
When executing lateral movements (like leg-yield or shoulder-in), the rider needs independent use of each rein. For instance, in a shoulder-in, the inside rein maintains light contact, while the outside rein acts as a steadying wall. If these hands cross, the lateral aid becomes muddy, and the horse cannot maintain the correct angle. The separation of the hands ensures that the lateral aids remain distinct and effective.
Conclusion: Avoiding the Cross
While a brief, accidental crossing of reins can happen to any rider, especially novices or in moments of crisis, it is not a recognized or effective technique in mainstream equestrian sports. Horse rein holding techniques across disciplines—from the precise demands of dressage to the functional needs of western riding—stress maintaining clear, independent lines of communication. Good horsemanship demands that riders actively work to prevent their hands from crossing, ensuring that the communication flowing through the reins remains clear, honest, and direct for the benefit of the horse.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is it okay for the reins to touch each other sometimes?
A: It is generally better if the reins do not touch. When they touch, the rider loses the ability to use each rein independently. If the reins cross, the rider loses the direct line of communication needed for precise aids.
Q: What is the proper grip for English riding reins?
A: The proper grip involves holding the reins relatively short, typically with a small loop of leather between the thumb and index finger. The other fingers wrap securely around the rein without squeezing tightly. The wrists should be straight and the hands should be positioned slightly above the horse’s mane area.
Q: Why does my horse ignore me when my hands cross?
A: When your hands cross, the pressure on the bit becomes uneven or contradictory. The horse feels confused because the aid it expects (e.g., turn left) is mismatched with the actual pressure (e.g., pressure on both sides or the wrong side). This leads to ignoring the signals.
Q: Are split reins different from direct contact reins regarding crossing?
A: Yes. Split reins, common in Western riding, are separated completely at the bit. Riders typically hold both reins in one hand. While the reins themselves don’t cross over each other in the English sense, the rider still aims to keep the hand steady to avoid confusing the horse with uneven pressure.
Q: What should I do if my reins keep crossing while I ride?
A: First, slow down to a walk. Focus on keeping your elbows relaxed and slightly bent, letting them hang naturally down towards your hips. Concentrate on keeping your shoulder blades slightly pulled back. Practice riding with one hand only for short periods to force the other hand to stay quiet and separate.