Confused about Controversy?!?!

Question

Okay well I just recently briefly heard something about there was a "debate" between some riders who believe in keeping a horse on the outside rein and some who believe in keeping a horse evenly on both reins...my trainer teaches me the outside rein way but what is the controversy about? I'm curious to know.

Answer 1

First of all, I assume we're talking English?

The outside rein controls speed, impulsion, collection and extention. This rein is "yours" - the inside rein belongs to the horse and you just borrow it. Ride from inside leg to outside hand, pushing your horse around bends, circles etc. rather than pulling. The horse should be straight - nose between shoulders, shoulders level with quarters - even when flexing. Latitudal and longitudal straightness are imperative to a correct way of going.  

Answer 2

I always been taught from past trainers:

Western: Rein evenly with inside rein a slight pull to keep nose more to the inside than undesirably to the outside rain (causing off balance and off stride).

English:  Rein close contact lengthed desired to the gate being ridden (walk, trot, canter gates) while using the inside to collect the nose slight inward while the outside rail rein is to help collect a bend at the pole.  (Usuing a small and easy circle motion to drop and bend the head).

Every trainer and rider has a preference. That preference is based on their own training, riding style and their horse's behavior/training.

I had some trainers try to "undue" teachings I learned prior from other people while others embraced what I learned.

There is no 1 way to do something. So if it is legal to do in the show ring by the book, it is comfortable for the horse and rider to do and gives good results, I think it should have no conflict to what others feel about it.