Transitioning to Neck Reining

[WSSCheveyo]

I’ve been researching and brainstorming this for quite some time and I haven’t really found an answer. I’ve been competing in equestrian drill for the last few years and this year the team is wanting to add flags so I’ve been training my horse to neck rein. Neck reining is going well so far. The season just started up again this month. Prior to drill my horse and I rode English but nothing competitively.

My question is, is there anything neck reining cannot convey to the horse that using two hands can? I’m stumped because the transition has been so easy that I’m second guessing myself.

Thanks in advance.

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[SuzieQNutter]

Neck reining is not hard. You can still use your seat and legs as well.

[WSSCheveyo]

I do all the time. My question is there any reason to have two hands on the reins that neck reining doesn’t provide for communication with the horse?

[SuzieQNutter]

In dressage yes. The 2 reins do completely different things. You have the horse in the outside rein. You give the inside rein. So to go from a 20m circle to a 10 m circle you apply more outside aids for the horse to circle smaller. a turn is a 1/4 of a circle. The outside rein means the 1/4 of a circle would be a smaller circle so the horse would turn quicker.

The inside rein asks for bend and flexion and then gives.

In Western I would be asking you that question.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

I doubt it.
My horse was a professional drill team horse for 12 years. You don’t need to do anything with your hands to ride him.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

My horse was a professional drill team horse for 12 years.
They just trained him to go completely off seat and legs.
So I wouldn’t think you’d need two hands on the reins.
Although, I ran into his trainer at a show and he showed me how to use two hands separately - one on each rein- if I were going to ride him using my hands. I guess that’s how he was schooled, but during performances his rider held both reins in one hand.

[WSSCheveyo]

I guess I’m over thinking it. After years of riding with two hands and now have been only neck reining for a month, I’m thinking, “why haven’t I always ridden this way!?” Lol

[Aces_N_Eights]

To answer your question, no, but sometimes you may need to help your horse to remind him where he needs to be with two hands. Seems like the transition was easy so you don’t have a lot to worry about. A lot of beginner neck reiners want to pull the reins across the neck and ultimately tipping the nose to the outside but I’d bet you’re beyond doing so. Have fun