In this video you will see Karen coach a student who’s horse has a less-than-positive connection with the reins. The reins have been used for speed control and balance and the horse has adopted a defensive posture which further disrupts the balance, setting the weight more on the forehand and running forward. Each gait acts a little differently, so you will see three different plans, one for each gait. The focus is to dissolve, and resolve the defensive tension moment at the first moments. The reins can’t be used as a positive communication tool until the horse has a more neutral feeling about them. We need to change the dynamic from one of contraction to one of trust and natural balance and speed regulation. I think you’ll enjoy seeing this horse and rider figuring this out together.

There is a lot of good information here that you can use in many other situations.