Welcome to Trainer Tuesday! Each week we ask trainers a question and gather their answers for you. These trainers have a range of experience, backgrounds, and focus points of their programs, so the answers have as much variation as you would expect and also probably much more similarity.
This week’s question posed is: When are some times you would have a rider use bridged reins as a training technique?
Here are their answers:
“I use an English bridge of the reins regularly in lessons. Sometimes for just walking, trotting, and cantering, and sometimes in gymnastics for practicing balance or for one armed riding (another good tool). It’s a great exercise for all levels.”-Diane Carney
Read more from Diane and listen to her on the Plaidcast here.
“I like to teach a bridged rein for mounting and dismounting in case the horses walk off or have a spooky moment. It offers more control for the rider. We also teach students to flag and rope from their horses, as well as pony other horses from the tack; a bridged rein is necessary for all of those activities so the students can steer well in a snaffle.
We used to go out cross country schooling more often than we do now but that’s also a great opportunity to teach and utilize a bridged rein for stability, as well as managing a strong horse that’s enjoying their gallop. Not only did my jumpers build confidence and my hunters build bravery by being in the open, going over natural jumps, but it also instilled independence in the riders, and the bridged rein was a valuable tool! I love for my riders to have a variety of techniques at their disposal and opportunities to practice new things with their horses.” -Brittany Massey
Read more from Brittany here.
“I have students use a bridged rein when they tend to cross their reins over the horse’s neck–in particular the inside rein–when they are trying to steer through a turn and the horse isn’t responding correctly. I also like using a bridged rein for a rider that tends to bend their wrist towards the inside of the horse’s neck, rather than keep the line from their hand to elbow straight. It’s also great for developing the feel for equal pressure on each side of the bit.” -Ehrin Rittmueller
Read more from Ehrin here.
“Like every tool, there is a time and place for bridged reins. For riders who struggle with maintaining even contact or who have bouncing hands, bridging can make them more aware of where their hands are and what they are asking the horse via their hands. The end goal is that the rider becomes clearer in what they ask and become able to find a softer, steadier contact.” -Sarah Ayer
“I use a bridged rein when rehearsing basics while working through gymnastics. The goal of that is to teach the rider to let the horse jump up to them. I usually start with a 9 ft pole–for horses, shorten the distances for ponies–to a trot jump along the rail (to be safe, I will put a drift rail on the inside standard to protect the horse from ducking out). Approximately 20 ft before the trot rail, I have the rider bridge their reins into their outside hand, get into their jumping position, reach half-way up the horse’s neck with their free inside hand, and grab a tuft of mane if they need to. As the horse arrives at the placement rail, they will take two trot steps, then pop over the jump. I would also put a 9 ft landing rail on the backside, telling the rider to hold their release and jumping position until all four feet of the horse canter over the back rail.
Once the rider succeeds with the one jump, I’ll add a second jump 18 ft away (distance of one stride between the two fences). If the horse and rider stay balanced between both jumps, then I add a 3 rd element at 21 ft. As the rider gets stronger, I want to add width to the exercise to teach them to keep their hip angle closed longer, heels down, and eyes up. You can virtually vary the gymnastics however you want, having bounce jumps in a row… trotting in or cantering in… the possibilities are endless.” -Connie Stevens
“I would use bridged reins for students that are fussy with their hands. It helps them learn how to steady their hands and have correct contact with the horse’s mouth. I would also use it when doing exercises requiring the student to ride with one hand.” -Colleen Brombach
Read more Trainer Tuesday responses from Colleen here.
“I typically will use bridged reins as a training technique with beginner riders who are learning how to keep their hands steady and even. Or with a rider who tends to pull their horses one direction with their dominant hand. Holding a bridged rein helps the rider generate a more even feel and connection with their horse’s mouth, and helps them to keep their hands balanced.” -Alexandra Arute-Kacheris
Read More Trainer Tuesday responses from Alexandra here.
“Cross Country.” -Cass Kordecki
“I have recently been teaching my riders about the importance of bridging their reins. I feel like it’s a good technique to use when riding an anxious or nervous horse on the trails or walking from the barn to the ring.
It’s also a good tool when you are riding a green or naughty horse. I utilize it to help me balance and stabilize my feel with a horse if I’m not sure of their direction.Most simply, it’s a great way to teach riders how to shorten their reins.” -Jay Moore
Read more from Jay here.
