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Photo Courtesy of Nayomee Bothwell
Essay Courtesy of Persian Equine
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Horse are SENSITIVE TO TOUCH.
The reins are held with fingers and they don’t go deep down in the palm of hand ~ that is important; The lightest touch you could ever give to reins (which means the horses mouth) the horses GUM is by the tip of your fingers and also the tool in our hands (Reins) are the most important tool in the horses body.
If we train our horses properly we don’t need the reins. Everything is done by the weight of the rider as the weight shifts to sides, back and forward. A Horse could feel the touch of a mosquito on their total body.
Unfortunately some riders use reins as maintaining their own stability on the saddle, or use it as a handle. They don’t feel how much pressure they are causing into the horses mouth. If you use a hard bit then that is another story for the poor horse.
Not only for the reins but for all things ~ Grooming for example , for even our Behavior around horses our own Body Movements , Like picking up our hands or when we want to put a bridle on a horses head, saddling the horse or putting the rug on. The signals we give and we receive from the horse; and especially understanding them in time and signal back in time; or if our signals are to be with an action-the timing is so important.
I think in all of these the most important one is Handling the reins , On the other hand all of the above is important .
CLICK HERE for more information on The Light Touch of a Human.
All Horses Go To Heaven 
soft, loving words
a gentle touch,
those special moments
mean so much
☺♥☻KLK
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WRITING THIS ARTICLE. I HAVE SEEN WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE THAT HOLD THE REINS TIGHT AGAINST THE BIT. I HAVE ALSO SEE SOME PRETTY STUPID STUFF BECAUSE THE OWNER WAS NOT PROPERLY TRAINED TO TAKE CARE OF AND CARE ABOUT THEIR HORSES. ONE BOY USED A FISHING ROD TO TRY AND LUNGE HIS HORS THAT HAD PROPER SCHOOLING. HE ALSO COULDN’T RIDE THE HORSE BECAUSE IT KEP BUCKING. COME TO FIND OUT, THERE WAS A NAIL LOOSE UDERNEATH THE SADDLE. SO YOU SEE, PEOPLE MORE THAN THE HORSE NEED THE TRAINING. AGAIN, THANKS. BARBARA
And how beautiful, that when riding, the horse adjusts to YOU. On the horse’s back, one may sway, be rocking, falling off, etc., and the horse will move his/her back to your movements. Our safety! Thank you, our trusting equine partners ❤
¨There are no problem horses, just problem riders¨
Mary Twelveponies
Thank you for pointing me in the direction of this blog. I have subscribed and will have to go back and read all the info that is on their site. There is no reason to be harsh with a horse. The horse understands if you take the time to learn to communicate effectively.