DO THIS To Improve Your Hands And Create Softness In Your Horse! If you’ve ever been told to “soften your hands,” “stop pulling,” or “have more elastic contact,” this one’s for you. Let’s talk about how to hold your reins now for a softer hand — using the driving rein hold.
How to Hold Your Reins Now for a Softer Hand
Instead of the traditional rein grip with thumbs pointing up, flip your hand over so your thumb points down the rein toward the bit — not the buckle. This subtle change alters the mechanics of your arm, softens your wrist, and makes it nearly impossible to brace or pull against your horse.
Why this works:
- It teaches elastic contact
- It encourages a following feel, not resistance
- It helps you develop an automatic release over fences
- It builds better awareness in your arm, shoulder, and core
You can practice this at the walk, trot, canter, or even over jumps. It’s not a permanent rein hold, but it’s a great training tool to retrain your hands and improve your horse’s confidence in the contact.
Whether you’re riding green horses or fine-tuning your flatwork, understanding how to hold your reins now for a softer hand can dramatically improve your communication and results in the saddle.
Try it in your next ride — your horse will feel the difference.