I'm working with Tank, my belgian on neck reining. The way I am doing it is using one rein at the same time I lay the other over his neck. Is this the easiest way, or does anyone have any other suggestions that may work better?
Posted 2008-03-14 8:46 AM (#79552 - in reply to #79481) Subject: RE: neck reining
Veteran
Posts: 270 Location: Roanoke IL
It takes time, but what you're doing works. My haflinger/belgian is not too keen on picking up subtle cues, but one day I just found that she started to get it. It was like a lightbulb came on. I can pick the spot on the trail that she had her revalation. I've also crossed the reins under their chin and rode that way. I use a myler bit with independent side movement when I ride like that. When the neck rein goes, say on the left side of the neck, the horse first feels the rein, then the familiar pull from the right side of the mouth. It worked for me, but I'm sure there are some people who will object to that method. I felt that it helped me be more consistent with my timing and signal. I practiced a lot in the arena asking for turns around cones/barrels. Whatever you do, don't get the "onehander" bit. It doesn't work and confuses the heck out of a horse.
Posted 2008-03-14 4:19 PM (#79584 - in reply to #79481) Subject: RE: neck reining
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
You could also use heavy reins so your horse can feel them better. My mare just wasn't catching on. I bought some heavier leather reins and she started to associate the reins laying over her neck with the pull on the bit. I just think the reins I was using were to light for her to really feel. Now that she has caught on I can use the old reins and she responds. It just took the extra weight/pressure for her to realize that it was a cue.
Posted 2008-03-14 6:15 PM (#79590 - in reply to #79584) Subject: RE: neck reining
Location: Brighton, Colorado
Another way to work with the biggin, since all driving horses are taught from the ground, place a loop around his neck and pull him the direction you want him to go and ask the horse to move around you. Driving animals are SO dependant on pressure, you may have to start with this and then graduate to on top of her back. That's what I would try.
Posted 2008-03-18 6:37 PM (#79838 - in reply to #79481) Subject: RE: neck reining
Veteran
Posts: 225 Location: Urbana,MD
Try a hackamore! I ride dressage I have sometimes used a hackamore on my mare and she neck reined the first time in it.She has never been taught to neck rein being a dressage horse.I could almost spin her on a dime in it.It may help at least help the horse to get the point.
Posted 2008-03-20 1:59 PM (#79976 - in reply to #79481) Subject: RE: neck reining
Member
Posts: 37 Location: alabama
Thanks everyone! I am just doing it over and over both in the arena and on trails and I'm starting to get some encouraging responses from him. He will get it with time and practice.
neck reining
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