Interesting question. The free hand usually rests on the hip or on the saddle horn, but can also be used to access the saddlebags, and hold down the brim of one's hat in a brisk wind or in a rapid gait.

However, during roping activities and most forms of shooting from horseback, both hands are free and the rider uses weight distribution and leg pressure to control the animal.

I haven't totally mastered this technique yet. My horse (A Morgan gelding) is quite spirited. He usually obeys but in a rapid gait or when he is approaching the barn he occassionally requires a tight rein. My fault, I guess. I've always been hesitant to break his spirit, so now I have to live with it. I prefer it that way, though. Depriving a horse of its' spirit is cruel, imo. Besides, what fun is a horse without a distinct personality?

I want an 'I love horses' ringtone.

My splint comes off tomorrow and on thursday my chipped tooth with be fixed!

WTF! Did you fall off? :o

-S

Thrown off at the canter.Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
I was wearing lycra breeches and I'm sure I felt the horses ears around my ball sack as I went over.Pleasur prior to pain.

I ride, too, although it's been a while. Don't know if my knees are still up to it. Also done some carriage driving, and we spent a holiday in a gipsy caravan in Eire about four years ago.

Photos or it didn't happen. :D

I think the Eire photos are all hard copy somwhere. If I can find them I'll scan 'em and post. Found a carriage driving one - brewer's dray in this case - drawn by 'Bowler' - near enough a 1000kg of horseflesh:

<a href="http://img9.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bowler3.jpg" target="_blank">

Noo, I meant ABBAFAN, not you Clive. Sorry.

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/bowler3.jpg/1/w1748.png

Well, here he is anyway. Think this should show the image rather than just a link this time.

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/8956/bowler3.th.jpg

Very nice!
My old man was a farrier.

How does one stick a photo up here?