Do you know how to stop a runaway horse with only one rein? Or how to prevent a runaway before it happens? The One Rein Stop is something that every rider should know no matter the discipline, the amount of experience, or the type of horse ridden.

Whether you're a weekend rider, or train for a living, this is one simple move that may one day save your life. Practicing in all gaits, with consistent repetition, it can also make your horse softer and more giving to the bit. It can make him more relaxed, better his stopping, get started toward collection, keep him from bucking, bolting, rearing up and kicking. It's helped thousands of horses and riders already and it can certainly help you and your horse.

To get started, I recommend you use a smooth full cheek, egg butt or d-ring snaffle bit. These bits are proven to send the clearest signals to your horse and are the mildest. At first, you may need to use more pressure than you would later on and these types of bits allow that without inflicting pain or mixed signals.


Ask your horse to go forward at a walk. Pick up the left rein only. Run your left hand down the rein and take out the slack, following the outside seam of your pant leg. Do not yank the rein. Hold. Wait. The horse's nose should tip toward your boot toe, his left hip should step to the right. As he does this, his left hind foot must cross in front of the right hind foot. He will turn 180 degrees in the opposite direction. Then he will stop all four feet. Wait until you feel he has put the slack back into the rein as well, before you release the rein.

Repeat the entire exercise with the right rein only.

Before long, the horse figures out that what you really want is for his feet to stop. You can then ride your horse at any gait, pick up either the left or right rein and your horse stops completely with little to no pressure. In case of an emergency, you know you can always pick up the rein and move that hip over, crossing the hind feet and stopping the horse no matter what.

Remember, the hind feet must cross (in the beginning and in an emergency). When the hind feet cross, your horse cannot buck, bolt, rear up or kick out. His balance is gone and this takes his focus from his fear to his feet and to your rein cue. Suddenly, you become the most important thing in your horse's mind. And that is what the One Rein Stop is all about.

Recommended time: 20-30 minutes per session.

John Lyons certified trainer Ivonne Gutierrez is training horses one owner at a time, using simple step-by-step building block lessons. Based in Pleasanton, California, she also is a traveling trainer, offering clinics throughout the U.S.

For more information visit: www.JohnLyonsCertified.com

Do you have a training question that you would like to ask our certified trainer? Email your questions to: mandee@bitandbridlemag.com.