Training Neck Regining?

Question

Hay, im training to horse neck reigning. he is already halfway broke. do you have any tips or method ideas? i have already tried crossing the reigns under his chin. its works alright, but i thought i would look form some other ways too. please help. thanks!

Answer 1

The old "cross the reins" routine is the cowboy way to get a horse who doesn't know what neck reining is, to do so.  

I once bought an old 16 yr old TB mare who I was told wasn't very well "broke" and they had her packing an old Saddle King western saddle and a Slyster half breed shanked bit.  

She was broke to death, she just didn't speak "Western"...LOL  I uncrossed the reins, stepped on board and everything I asked her using direct reining, I got an IMMEDIATE response!  

When I started her son neck reining, I just held the reins in my left hand with the left rein starting into the outside of my hand (where the pinky is) and the right rein starting into my left hand where my thumb and forefinger are.  He already worked off my seat and legs so we just did lots of circles and serpentines while he "learned"...  I've taught the rest of my babies with the same method.  This little TB was so well broke either English or Western that during his show career, he NEVER didn't win an English obedience class!  Western Pleasure Open was a breeze for him as well.

It didn't matter if he went English or Western, he loved both and worked well in a snaffle or a curb bit.

Answer 2

It's not a good way to teach neck reining.  People may also tell you to cross a rein over the top of the neck...also not a good idea.  Be sure you use heavy reins...my training reins are 1" wide heavy leather reins, so the horse can feel them.  You plow rein with one hand while laying the rein against the neck on the opposite side of the direction you are turning.  It takes very little time to do it right, so don't try to hurry it by crossing the reins over the neck.....what people don't realize is the feel on the bit when they do that.  Train at a walk, and gradually try just laying the rein on the horse's neck while you shift your weight toward the direction you want to turn, and do figure eights, etc.  Soon the horse will turn just by feeling the neck rein.  Then you can try lighter reins.

Answer 3

You start off reining, by driving them, one rein in each hand, and pull on the rein to go that way. Then as you are doing, cross the reins under the neck, but when you pull on the left rein in you right hand lay it against the right side of the neck, after the horse start to respond to this you can put the reins the right way, and start neck reining, you may have to tap the neck to remind the horse to aid the horse to go the right way. When I was raising horses, my rider use the two handed way. You drove the horse, but when you pulled on the left side rein to go left you laid the right rein on the right side of the horses neck. It dose not take long for the horse to catch on. I teach my green horses to both drive, and neck rein, as I also use two line lounging and latter training. Remember if it work do not fix it. Sound like your are on you way. Remember to many people have no idea what is go on and keep stumbling around out there in the dark.

Answer 4

Great advice from a western pleasure pro....good photos...step by step.  And, repetition.  

http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_...

Answer 5

All of the horses I start I first use direct rein to rein them. Means pull on the right rein to go right and vice versa. The reason i do this it helps then understand and adapt to the bit. The when they respond well to that, we use ask for then to go one direction and if they respnd great if not, then we bump(short pulls, not steady pressure) with the other reain in thwe direction we want them to turm. Once then get used to that go straight to one rein riding and then understand it alot better. In my experience attachments do more harm than good.Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Your horse is only ready to neck rein when you've taught him to steer properly with two hands. Horses are very smart but when training, be calm. If he is a young horse be very patient.

                        Instead of crossing the reins under his chin, cross them over his neck. If he knows how to side pass then this other method I have for you should be quite easy for him.

                        If you want your horse to turn right or left, which ever way. Say your on a trail ride and you want him to turn right. Use your left rein, and press it up against his neck. But still use your right rein to turn him. This is so when he feels the pressure against the left of his neck he should move to the right. If you try this same method on his right side to move left he should learn to next rein in 1-2 weeks.

                             Good luck with your horse.

Answer 7

That sounds like a good method. I used to pull on the left rein and at the same time take the right rein and pressure it against his neck that seemed to work well.

I like your idea though.

Good luck..

Answer 8

Lay one rein on his neck and check with the other if he does not respond. He will get it.  Also use you weight, seat and body, legs.

Answer 9

How I do it...

Hopefully the horse knows how to move away from leg pressure. If not, you need to add teaching that when you retrain her.

Easy way is to have a snaffle in the horses mouth...not a curb...being you will be direct reining.

If you want the horse to turn right...FIRST, apply the left leg to cue the horse. Then pull the right rein...at the same time lay the left rein against the left side of the horse's neck.

Same concept for going left...Apply leg pressure FIRST. Then use the direct rein at the same time as the neck rein.

Within a day or so...I would be applying leg pressure...then the neck rein BEFORE the direct rein. Gradually over time...the horse will know to move away from the leg pressure and respond to the neck rein.

DO NOT apply pressure to the neck rein while you are direct reining in the beginning. It will pull on both sides and just confuse the horse. He won't know what you want, and may end up backing or throwing his head up.

When I begin applying the neck rein BEFORE the direct rein...I do put a little pressure on it. As soon as I use the direct rein...I release the pressure on the neck rein.

Once the horse is turning...I release the pull on the direct rein. Keeping my leg on the horse and the neck rein. Hopefully the horse will complete the turn without further direct reining. I will still use the direct rein if the horse needs a little encouragement.