western vs. english riding and one-hand vs. two hands

Factual Questions
1

I have been taking riding lessons for about 4 years now. I’ve taken several “western riding classes” and several English riding classes.

In all the western classes I’ve taken, we have been holding the reins in two hands. It’s actually pretty similar to the English classes, but we are told to keep more contact with the horse’s mouth when riding Western. For many of the horses at the school, there are two bridles: and English bridle and a western bridle. Of course we use a western saddle when riding western and an English saddle when riding English.

So, I went on a trail ride last night, and I was holding the reins in both hands–like I always do when I’m riding western, and the folks running the trail ride said “these are western horses: don’t ride them English–hold the reins in one hand.”

After some research on Google this morning, I learn that in a lot of western shows, you must hold the reins in one hand (and, for example, you can only put your index finger between the reins: any other finger will get you dq’d).

So, can somebody help me understand this better? To put it bluntly, is my school teaching me the wrong way to ride western?

2

Well pardner, How you expecting to toss that lasso if you got a hand full of reins?

One handed was the way I’ve always been taught, Although sometimes little kids are told to hold reins two-handed to fight the urge to grab the horn for security. Once they get a good sence of balance, they are told to switch to one-handed.

3

“He’s a real English saddle type. No horn.” – Comment by a cow-orker about another, about 20 years ago

4

sigh are you learning to ride for fun or for competition when it comes to western?

English is stylized, and very much concerned about form and posture, so they will have a hissy fit about things. When I would go out hacking with a friend half the time I would drop the reins and control with my seat and legs, but my horse was very highly trained for dressage. I could probably have fallen asleep on him and he would have placidly followed the horses in front of him for hours=) Riding for competitive purposes, I followed all the rules and accepted behaviors because otherwise I wouldnt be allowed to compete=)

Personally, western is for hacking [riding trails with no particular purpose other than enjoyment or transportation.] Unless you are doing trick or barrel riding, they can just deal with your riding however you happen to feel comfortable=)

5

I’m learning to ride for fun. Maybe someday I’ll get into competition but I doubt it. My main goal is to do something fun and relaxing.

Well, but that’s why I was surprised when they told me I couldn’t hold the reins in two hands. I thought, what difference does it make? I’m used to riding this way, so what do you care.

But, as I said, today I started doing some research on the web, and they talk about “neck reining” which I take to mean riding with one hand: the reins against the neck tells the horse to move in the opposite direction.

Confession: I think part of what is going on here is that I kind of thought I knew what I was doing, and it was a little bit embarassing when the trail ride folks told me–in no uncertain terms–that I was doing it wrong. I felt like I had been taking tennis classes for five years, and then when I went to play a game at a new court, somebody insisted I was holding my raquet wrong.

6

Do they use the same horses for both styles?

Might explain why two hands works best for their horses.

A well trained neck rein horse will not really like being Englished.

A badly trained horse might actual object in no uncertain terms about it.

I drive other peoples cars, airplanes and horses the way they want them to be driven – even if I am renting them.

If it is not life threatening, respecting others property that I’m only using temporarily is the order of the day IMO.

Western is usually one handed.

YMMV

7

For me, it ususally depends on what sort of bit the horse is using. With snaffles (true snaffles, not those shanked but jointed western curb bits some folks call snaffles - if it has a shank, it’s a curb no matter what the mouthpiece looks like) I usually ride two handed. With curbs (any bit with a shank)I use less contact with the horse’s mouth and ride one handed. When you have contact with the mouth while using a curb (even a Pelham) the curb chain is exerting pressure on th lower jaw bars.

It also has a lot to do with if the horse is neck rein trained, and how they are trained in general. If it is well-trained, the only time you really need contact with the mouth is when you need to stop - not while turning.

8

Nothing to add, except that my brain hurts from that sentence. I recognize the words, but together, they have no meaning. Maybe it’s just my lack of equestrian expertise talking (might have seen a horse in person once).

9

I agree with Boscibo. I only ride Western, so I know next to nothing about riding English, but it seemed like your question was pretty much directed at the Western section anyway.

And he’s right - it all depends on the type of bit you use. We use a true snaffle for things like colt-breaking or remedial training, or just when you want a low-impact bit, like when riding in the back country. You use two hands with these bits, and, although you have direct contact with the horse’s mouth, it’s gentler.

Most Western-trained horses eventually use a curb bit, or one with shanks, just like Boscibo said. A bit that’s broken in the center, like a snaffle bit, is a pretty good trainer to teach the horse to neck-rein, but it’s still operating on a leverage principle if it has shanks. You can reach around and have a little more direct control if you need it. But all well-broke Western horses (blanket statement!) are capable of neck-reining with a curb bit. And a school horse or one that’s rented for trail rides, is likely to be fairly well broke and used to neck-reining. Those bits are more severe on their jaw bones and the roof of their mouth if direct pressure is used too, so it’s no wonder your wrangler didn’t want you tugging on the horse’s mouth.

Try this next time you’re at your barn: pick up a bridle with a snaffle bit, and hold it like your hand is the horse’s mouth. Make a fist around the mouthpiece of the bit, and put the headstall up over your forearm so the angles are approximately right. Now pull on the reins with your other hand, and see what it feels like. Pressure towards the back of your hand, right? About where the corners of the mouth and the tongue would be, if that were a horse wearing that bit.

Now do the same with a curb bit. As you pull the reins, you’ll feel the port (or lump) in the center of the mouthpiece rotate back, pushing on your palm. At the same time, the curb chain, underneath your thumb, will tighten. Now, remember, those aren’t soft points in a horse’s mouth - they’re bony, and the horse will feel the pressure faster than you would with your fleshy hand. See how the shanks of the bit apply leverage?