Neck Reining...??

[Jump The Moon]

Okay, I really want to teach Billy to neck rein (in an english bridle, no western one sadly).
Any techniques? Links etc. to let me know of?

[sgttibbs521]

the way that i tought my horse to neckrein is obviously hold the reins w/1 hand and when you go to turn, use lots of leg to push him in the turn while moving the reins left/right at the same time...keep using your legs in the beginning and when they get better at it, you can not use your legs as much...hopefully that makes sense! :)

[FatSpottedAppy]

I was always told to cross the reins under the horse's neck. When I was riding April I did that for two rides and she caught on VERY quickly. However, I didn't do it consistently so she pretty much forgot.

Then I tried it for Raen and it confused the heck out of her! To each their own.

[zoel_222]

When I taught Chica, would use two hands. To go left, I would take the left rein and pull it out to the left and cross the right rein over her neck. Of course I also used my leg. I slowly weaned off outstretching the left rein and she figured it out real fast.

And when I say pull I don't mean PULL and yank, just gently take the rein, outstretch it away from the horses neck and put a little bit of pressure to the bit.

[ImaBronsonBear]

What zoel said.:) Also, the heavier the reins, the better. Because then it's a lot easier for the horse to feel the rein on their neck and associate that with turning. Oh, and you WILL be crossing your hand over the crest of his neck to teach him to neck rein - a nono in the english world, but not in the western.:D

[zoel_222]

What zoel said.:) Also, the heavier the reins, the better. Because then it's a lot easier for the horse to feel the rein on their neck and associate that with turning. Oh, and you WILL be crossing your hand over the crest of his neck to teach him to neck rein - a nono in the english world, but not in the western.:D

Yes, forgot to mention heavy reins. :) They are just perfect for that job. I didn't use them with Chica because all I had was light leather ones, but with Dusty (who was English and I switched him western) I used the heavy ones that were weighted on the ends because he had a harder time catching on.

[pandorasmom]

I recommend getting Clinton Anderson's Neck Reining and Rollbacks DVD. I think it's like 20 dollars, but well worth it. He talks about teaching neck reining. It's something like: lay the rein, take the nose, to teach them which way to go when the rein is laid on their neck. Can't remember his exact words and I just watched the dvd last night. LOL

Pandora came already neck reined to me, and I LOVE neck reining. :) Best of luck!

[doc_western]

im actually teaching dante right now, and what im doing seems to be working pretty well. :)
let's say im turning left, so...
i use direct rein on the left rein, and exagerate a bit w/ my right hand, as in move my had up a bit and let her feel the rein on her neck. (if that makes sense?) gradually i used less direct rein, more neck rein. now, we've progressed to using the neck rein first, only using the direct rein as a reminder. when they're still learning, you'll really have to move your right hand (in this direction) over, probably across to thier other side. (and obvioulsy using leg w/ all that)
:huh: i hope that made sense....hehe. good luck!

[Jump The Moon]

Thanks everyone, made great sense! That's our next target! Neck reiners here we come :D lol.

[mtnmollie]

to turn I used to

1) right leg behind girtth, please move away from leg. followed by
2) right neck rein cue please turn?

folowed my left rein- demand cue or support for colt.

But now I use "one foot" exercise.
I am explaining that in spot direction thread-
but have not got to neck reining yet. LOL.

When I connect the opposite rein to the opposite foot, my horse neck reins;
backs with no pull on the bridle, and other neat stuff. :cowboy:

[cloedoll]

I tried to teach Cloe how to neck rein WAY BACK, lol and I did exactly what Zoel said.