01/11/2026
Dressage Naturally Thanks
Too often riders feel like they have to choose between being loose and light but imprecise… OR precise but tight in the contact.
The real magic happens when you realize the freedom inside the connection and the connection inside the freedom.
Being able to ride your horse on a loose rein (or no reins) and have them be 'comfortable transportation' is a first foundational step. This means that they are safe to tootle around on without constant help from the reins.
But even if your advanced bridleless riding is excellent, you still need to understand how riding with no reins and riding in connection with the reins fit together.
Many times, a student has come to me saying something like:
"My horse is so happy on a loose rein" (The person gestures with an open hand and arm extending forward)... "But as soon as I take the contact... (They now have a closed fist and are pulling their hands towards their stomach) he gets really tight and bracey."
I usually smile and ask them to repeat what they just said, then I say:
"OK, I just want to make sure I understand.... When you ride with a loose rein (I extend my arms forward and open my hands and smile) your horse is happy and light.... But when you TAKE the contact (I close my fists and bring my hands to my stomach) he gets TIGHT (I grimace a bit) and BRACEY" (I tense my arm muscles in an exaggerated way).
We then have a good chuckle and I reassure the person that this is a super common problem.
It is an art to ride with lightness in connection with the reins.
If you are used to having a lot of contact, it can feel like everything falls apart if you let go.
If you are used to riding with no contact, it can feel really restrictive when you shorten the reins.
𝗔 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺.
Done well, the reins should not feel restrictive to the horse.
Done well, riding with freedom doesn't mean it's a free-for-all.
This brings me to...
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼:
F𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 & 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
A paradigm-shifting video for creating a great connection with the reins. Karen discusses and demonstrates how to mix and match having connection with the reins (or not) with being precise in your focus (or not).
These exercises will help you get more conscious coordination between the part of you that talks about line of direction and the part of you connecting with the reins.
This video really is for everyone who wants to know how to have a great connection with the reins.