Rein Contact Analysis

We offer Rein Contact Analysis, either in conjunction with Rider Biomechanics Analysis, or on its own. We have a brilliant piece of technology that tells riders exactly how many grams of contact they have in each rein at any one time. They are a normal pair of reins except they have sensors inside them that measure tiny (or large!) changes in the level of contact. Readings are taken several times a second. Riders will be given many different readings during the session and will be sent this information afterwards so they can use it to inform their future training.

Perfect and equal rein contact is now within your grasp.

The system is able to confer data in 3 different ways:
  1. as an average pressure over a 30 second period – useful, for example, when comparing a left rein circle to a right circle.
  2. immediate feedback – the rider can be told what their rein contact is at any particular moment, instantaneously.
  3. as a graph showing rein contact over a 10 second period – ideal for jumping or when riding a particular movement.

There is no set amount of weight a rider should have in their reins. This will depend on the level of the rider and the age and stage of the horse. Generally speaking, riders will have more contact in trot than walk, and more contact in canter than trot. Advanced riders would be expected to have more contact than beginner riders. Contact should be dependent on the horse taking the rein forwards (not the rider pulling backwards). Hence a more advanced horse would take more contact from the rider.

30 second average:

This chart shows the average level of rein contact of one rider after their initial data was collected, while riding a range of gaits and paces. It reveals they often have more pressure on the right side of the horse’s mouth than the left side.

We can analyse:
  • contact being too heavy or too light;
  • consistency of contact between the two reins;
  • if you have more contact during left rein circle than a right rein circle;
  • whether your half pass left has the same contact as your half pass right;
  • any increase or decrease in contact during a transition;
  • anomalies in contact as you approach a jump.
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