Balancing rein tip for confidence.

[kya]

Now don't ask me why it works but.... I picked up a book by Linda Tellington Jones and having dismissed most of it as too touchy-feely, I decided to try one thing from her book after my bucking ride of last thursday. She uses a 'balancing rein', pretty much a neck-lace around the horse's neck made of nylon as a rein. Sounds strange, but the rein is taken up just as you would the second pair of reins on a double bridle. I just used a lead rope (yes felt like a prat) and tied it around his neck, clipping the clip back onto a D ring. I laced the rein and rope up like two sets of reins independantly in my fingers and gave equal billing to each as we rode out.

Amazing. He reached downward and in in total relaxation, flexing beautifully at the poll. Stopped when I just closed my fingers on the rope and above all it kept my hands so steady as we rode. Walked, trotted and cantered with this arrangement. Could be all in Kya's addled little head but he seemed comforted by the rope around his neck. There was no head shaking, messing, spooking, nothing. I did have to leave my whip at home (used to wave at dogs, and mark time). Just thought I would pass this on.

Kya

[wozzer]

Like the sound of that kya.

Cos it is hard to describe, and in case I am getting it wrong, could you post a photo of it for us to see ;D

[kya]

Er... a lead rope tied around his neck?! I'll try to get my OH to take a pic of what I'm doing with my hands. Sorry if it sounds muddled.

[wozzer]

Doh! Read it again, and get it now.

But nice opportunity for a pic of you on the lovely Blue ;D

[amarche]

I used to have an amazing instrustress who would put a balancing strap across the D rings on the front of the saddle, it was a piece of string to start with and you use it the same way as you've decribed kya - and yes it was great, I think that this strap worked on core balance though, your rein is acting more directly on the horse - I think we greatly underestimate the horses's sensitivity to pressure (even remotest pressure as in the rein) and you probably felt more stable in the saddle yourself (deeper seat)

Sounds excellent though - I;m def going to try it!