"single rein riding"???

[shoveltrash]

i've been reading Katie Bartlett's site www.equineclickertraining.com where she describes single rein riding..........it SOUNDS good (and sounds like something i need to learn, as well as teach my own horse), but i'm thoroughly confused regarding the 'how to' aspects.

can anyone shed light on this?
thanks!

[Bejay]

You need to get Alexandra Kurland's 'Riding with the Clicker' book for the mechanics of it, and she should have some DVDs out any day now. It is the basis of her system - the starting pont, leading up to advanced work - and you need the detail in the book to obtain maximum benefit from it. There is a lot of detail, and the devil is in it, as they say. You start with just getting the horse to soften to the inside rein and then gradually add the outside rein back in again. There are many different stages and exercises.

It's all about taking the horse's training apart, splitting everything down and explaining it all to the horse in easily understood stages, and then putting it back together again, only better. It's a whole new, fresh start. It takes some time but is SO worth it. Hilary, Appy2quarter and I all have and do use it and have talked about it in our blogs.

It is based on John Lyons natuaral haorsemanship techniques, but taken to a higher level, and much more subtle, IMO.

[shoveltrash]

thanks Bejay - i've read all of the posts referring to it, but still didn't have a clear idea of the *big picture* (whys/wherefores).

[Appy2quarter]

Shoveltrash - the best description of it all is in her 'riding with the clicker' book as it goes into great depth as to the whys and wherefores.  The 'capture the saddle' DVD starts to show it, but doesn't go into great depth.

I have done a LOT of one rein riding in the past in my NH days, but there are some differences that have radically changed Hylo's response and balance.  He is so soft to the bit now that its glorious, but without losing his back and neck, if that makes sense.

It partners beautifully with the ground work and relies on the same rein mechanics that you learn there.  Alex always says it may be single rein riding, but not single HAND riding (which had been my experience in the past).

I'd recommend reading the book as it may help with the detail you need.