REIN LENGTH

Maintaining control through a Western riding line starts with you. If your horse is more comfortable with a tighter rein, ride him with a little bit of contact in your hand. Riding with a draped rein increases your degree of difficulty, but if you can’t control your horse’s speed and lead changes on a draped rein, you’ll lose more points than you gain.

From a judge’s view, I want to see you come into the arena with complete control; similar to a horsemanship pattern. You’re going to get a better score from me if your horse willingly stays in the bridle and keeps a level topline and steady rhythm with a tighter rein, versus a draped rein but no control or steering ability through your pattern.