3 Stretches to Improve your "Stiff Rein"

Most riders have a rein that is more difficult for them.

Whether its turning, transitions, picking up the correct canter lead, lateral movements, most riders do find there is a difference between the left and the right. And of course, this translates through to their horse’s stiffer side as well.

Most commonly riders are better on the rein that is their dominant hand, although not always.

To balance up your reins, a lot of it does come down to practise and coordination, however if you do not have even strength, balance and muscle activation between left and right, there will always be a significant difference.

Try out these 3 stretches stretches to even up your reins!

STRETCHES

Lying Thoracic Rotations

Your thoracic rotation is important for you to be able to rotate left and right. Your thoracic spine is the middle segment of you spine where your ribs attach and is hugely important to be able to rotate.

Lying thoracic rotations are great to open up through your thoracic. Start lying on your side with knees bent and together. (You can also place your top leg on a roller, and keep your bottom leg straight). Place your palms together, take a big breath in and reach your arm forwards. Breathe out and sweep your arm up and overhead rotating through your thoracic to face the other way. You should feel a stretch through your chest and shoulder. Breathe in to return back to the start position.

Hip Flexor Lunge Stretch

If you are tight through one hip, it can pull that side into more anterior pelvic tilt. This can lead to your hips being unable to turn in one direction smoothly.

Start in a half kneeling position. Tuck your hip and squeeze the glute of the leg that’s knee is on the floor. Reach your arm up and overhead and stretch through the front of your hip. To increase the difficulty of the stretch and open up through the quad as well, you can reach your arm from overhead to grasp your foot, and increase the angle. Make sure to not collapse in the hip and arch your back to increase the stretch.

Side Stretch

Many times, a rider will be tight in their lateral line, which causes one hip to hike up and one side of the lower back to get tight. This can mean when a rider turns left, instead of maintaining even balance in the saddle, they will collapse on the right side, and the seat bones will not be nicely scooped under.

Find a pole to hold onto. Start standing side on to the pole. Reach your right hand over your head and grasp the pole. Place your leg across the other. You can turn slightly to the left and right to stretch through different aspects of your side.