I’m really excited to share this one! This is hands down the best little trick I have discovered in a long time! I do not take credit for coming up with it as it was learned in an article I read on Pinterest a while back. I couldn’t to find the author to give proper credit, but the gist of the article stuck with me and I have begun applying it in my lesson program. Today’s challenge coordinates fabulously with the October Challenge last month. In that article I proposed we all try going back to snaffle style bits for a while. Please feel free to browse that article as well. This time I’m suggesting we apply a snaffle bit to ourselves, rather than just on the horse by holding an extra bit directly in your hands while riding!
How
You will need to hold the reins in both hands for this training exercise. For best grip and function the rein should run from the bit to the space between your ring and pinky fingers, then up your palms and out at your thumbs. From there you will shorten your reins until you have light contact with the horse. A loose rein will be useless here. Then add the extra bit along with your reins in both hands, holding by the rings as shown below.
On The Lunge Line
For junior riders, beginners or refresher riders, putting the horse on a lunge line with a capable handler and giving up your reins completely can be an eye-opening experience. Riding with only the bit to hold occupies your hands while removing the temptation to use the horse’s mouth for balance. “No-reins” work in general causes the rider to rely more on their legs and seat, which in turn creates steadier hands.
I have most recently appreciated that holding the bit makes it difficult for kids or very beginners to rest their hands on the saddle lazily. To communicate with the horse they must learn to stay ready and engaged. With a western saddle, if the bit is touching the saddle the rider’s hands need to move forward. If the bit touches the withers then they need to lift their hands. The banging of the bit on the saddle at the trot can help draw the rider’s attention to these issues. Though hand position is somewhat relative to the specific horse, rider and saddle, I start out with my riders keeping their hands just in front of the top of the saddle horn.
The weight of the bit in the rider’s hands also simulates the constant light weight of correct contact on the reins. Though this exercise is fairly new to me, I suspect that time spent riding this way can encourage a rider to seek more consistent contact as they become accustomed to feeling that light weight in their hands.
As Applied To Independent Riders
More independent riders can hold both their reins and the extra bit and perform normal riding activities. They will develop better awareness of what the bit is doing in the horse’s mouth throughout their riding activities.
I have tried it myself and it was amazing to me how great of a visual aid it was. I have seen how this demonstrates to students the direct correlation between the rider’s hands and the position of the bit in the horse’s mouth. If the rider tends to draw one hand back all the time, or perhaps throw away their outside rein when turning, they can see the impact on the bit in their hands, and exactly what the horse is experiencing. For riders who are becoming more aware of the horse’s shoulders, the handheld bit allows them to visualize where they are trying to place the horse’s shoulders and prevents their hands from getting too wild.
Better Equitation
In terms of building bettering riding position, which in turn also translates to our horse’s bodies, I myself am guilty of not keeping my thumbs on the top of my hands, particularly when I’m schooling less educated horses. For others with this same issue, we may have just discovered the cure! Holding a bit makes you keep your thumbs on top and therefore keeps your arms naturally to your sides without tension or force. Immediately you will be better able to follow your horse’s motion better and instigate fewer games of “tug of war” over who owns the reins. Riding this way encourages our hands to work together in a more coordinated way, also encouraging developing a feel on the outside rein which is absolutely critical for advancement.
A Common Horse Training Application
One of the most common difficulties that casual western or trail riders present with is the lack of a reliable neck rein on their horses. Though the horse’s training is usually lacking in a number of ways, I feel that many riders could begin solving this problem themselves by following through on this month’s challenge. By holding a bit, you will learn to keep your outside rein contact (the rein opposite the direction you are turning) throughout your riding. As your horse learns to stay “between the reins” you will begin to rely less on pulling him around. It will become easier for him to accept guidance from your reins in one hand.
It will take time, probably months, for most riding pairs because you and your horse will need time to get used to riding differently and let it become your new normal. Once my horse is staying between the reins pretty honest in two hands, I switch to bridging my reins in one hand for a while, then finally allow my reins to stay together when neck reining. It is a process!
Final Thoughts
There are truly unlimited applications for this exercise at all levels, ages and disciplines. I could go on and on about it! It’s rare to come across such a simple activity that can truly be safely done by ANY riding pair in ANY discipline and see improvement on the very first ride. Normally I would feel the need to include some warnings about building up the new activity slowly but not so in this case. Go for it! Have fun and learn a ton! If you can ride the activity, you can ride it with a bit in your hands. I am really excited to see and hear how everyone’s riding changes over the next month. Please don’t be shy, I’d love to hear from you all about this!
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