Riding a horse with one hand adds an extra level of “power steering” to a western training program; however, teaching a horse to neck rein can be a bit of a mystery for many riders.

As an english rider entering the western world years ago, I felt awkward riding with one hand. I’d train at home with two hands and hope that I’d be able to pull it off with one hand when I entered the ring.

Why bother teaching my horse to neck rein, anyway? The action of a curb bit enables a rider to use subtler rein aids and to ride with lighter contact than using a direct rein with a snaffle bit. A curb bit is basically any bit that has longer shanks and a curb strap. Think of how much easier it is to pull out a nail with a hammer claw or a crowbar – that’s called leverage, and that’s how curbs work.

Because the leverage action amplifies the rider’s hand, it takes less movement to achieve a lighter response for adjusting the pace, steering or collecting. This
is especially important when showing in pattern classes such as horsemanship,
reining, western riding and trail, which require absolute precision. And in most
western horse show associations, horses are required to be shown with one hand starting in their sixth year.

When do I start?

Horses in my program are ridden with one hand when they’re ready to show in pattern classes (usually by their fourth year) in which they’ll need more of a
“handle” for circles, serpentines and advanced manoeuvres.

A question I’m often asked is whether the answer to a dull or resistant horse is
“more bit.” Increasing the bit on a horse who hasn’t mastered the skills is like
using a megaphone to yell a foreign language to someone so they’ll get the message. Louder doesn’t help!

Be sure that before changing to a more advanced bit, your horse understands how to give to pressure in every way. Will he flex to your hand without opening his mouth or crossing his jaw in the snaffle? Does he back up softly, and slow down or shorten his stride without resistance? Does he move sideways from your light leg aids at all gaits? Stronger bits are not a shortcut to teaching these skills; however,a more advanced bit in the sensitive hands of an experienced rider can be a useful tool.

How to I get started?

I introduce any new bit to a horse from the ground before climbing aboard. By
backing the horse and flexing his head from one side to the other, he discovers
that yielding to it results in freedom from me every time – I immediately put some slack in the rein as soon as he gives. You may need an instructor to watch so you get the timing right.

Once he understands, follow the same routine from the saddle (see photos for correct hand position using one or two hands). When he figures out how this new bit works and responds softly to pressure in his mouth, I’ll begin asking him to give to pressure on the side of his neck.

To teach your horse to neck rein, he needs to learn that every time he feels the
rein press across his neck and he moves his neck away from it, he finds instant relief – the rein goes slack. I may need to reach over with my free hand and use a direct rein to turn his head away from outside pressure on the neck. Eventually, I won’t have to use this direct rein pressure any more.

My goal is to have my horse steer with the lightness of one who responds to the
pressure almost as if it’s hot on his neck. This will take hundreds of repetitions on both sides.

Like any skill, master this at a walk and jog before going to a lope. It may take up to 10 sessions before the press on the neck becomes a light touch – only then do I begin loping.

It is important to remember that your neck rein only controls the head and neck of the horse, while your leg directs the rest of his parts. He should learn that
you will often steer his neck and head one direction while moving the ribs and
hips in another – to arc on a circle, for example.

The satisfaction of having “power steering” on your horse is hard to beat. Try to
ride only with one hand every time you choose a curb bit. That’s what I did years ago, and now I ride as well with one hand as with two.