Question: How do I know when it’s time to teach my horse to neck rein?

Tom Pierson Answers: It is never too early to start thinking about neck reining, however, your horse needs to be relaxed and stepping left, right, front and back from the ground and in two hands. Getting your horse to use his feet properly is a topic we cover every week in various forms on our show.
At first, two reins are used to keep the horse straight and avoid counter bending (looking opposite the direction of travel). Your horse must be taught to feel the neck rein pressure on the outside of his neck, look slightly to the inside, and step away from it. Start by laying the outside rein on your horse’s neck and follow up by supporting with your inside rein and outside leg, as you have been. This sequence will have to be repeated until your horse starts to think about moving off the neck rein before you have to reinforce it with your inside rein.
When the horse can move off the neck rein without needing reinforcement from the inside rein, he is ready to be ridden in one hand. Be aware of the horse’s position; if he starts counter-bending, do not hesitate to pick up the inside rein and use two hands to make corrections. If he over-bends to the inside, use less inside rein and more neck rein. Be sure that your horse can neck rein confidently in a snaffle before introducing a curb bit. Teaching your horse to neck rein takes patience and consistency. If you are focused on your horses’ feet and body position, he will learn to neck rein quickly.

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