How do I shorten my reins smoothly after a stretch?
Q How exactly should I shorten my reins to bring my horse’s head up out of a stretch without losing the contact or letting him pop his head up in the air?
JARALYN GIBSON
A Whenever I am confronted with training challenges dealing with keeping a good connection, I always recommend first making sure your horse’s bit and noseband are fitted correctly so there is no pinching between them. I see an awful lot of nosebands set too low, such that the horses’ cheeks get pinched whenever their riders apply pressure on the reins. In addition, be sure that your horse’s dental maintenance is up to date to avoid sharp teeth, which
