Quote:
Originally Posted by jmar
I don't ride horses but cant they control them selves for a few seconds, or do they immediately flip out once you release the reins? Thought that knob on the saddle was a place to put the reins when you need to use your hands.
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Well trained horses with an experienced rider can be controlled just by putting pressure from one leg/heel/spur to the horse's side - no reins necessary. The whole point is to be able to ride and still use both hands if needed. In fact, if you ride long your legs will become quite strong from gripping the horse's sides anyway. The horn on a typical Western saddle is for tying off a lasso that you've used to rope a cow. That wasn't a common thing til the cattle ranching era (I don't think), and cavalry saddles wouldn't have had them.