Table of Contents
Purpose of the Change of Rein in Dressage
The change of rein in dressage is to enable the horse and rider to smoothly change direction across the arena while maintaining rhythm, balance, straightness, and connection.
Technical Definition
A change of rein is a movement in which the horse travels from one rein to the opposite rein by crossing the school on a prescribed line while maintaining the required pace, rhythm, balance, and straightness.
Plain English Explanation
Ride a straight diagonal line across the arena to change directions.
Rider Aids
- Establish an even rhythm and straightness before leaving the track.
- Look towards your destination and ride a straight line across the diagonal, maintaining consistent tempo.
- Keep the horse between both legs and reins with your shoulders aligned with the horses.
- As you reach the track, establish the new bend smoothly and ride forward into the corner.
What the Judge is Looking For
Judges reward a change of rein that is:
- Accuracy.
- Consistent rhythm and tempo.
- Balanced throughout the entire movement.
- Performed with smooth, unobtrusive rider aids.
- Showing an even, elastic contact.
- Maintaining impulsion from start to finish.
- Followed by correct bend on the new rein.
Common Mistakes
- Leaving the track too early or too late.
- Missing the destination marker.
- Crookedness across the diagonal.
- Losing rhythm during the crossing.
- Rider pulling the horse around with the inside rein.
- Losing connection during the change.
- Establishing the new bend too early.
Appears in
The change of rein is introduced at the very beginning of dressage competition and remains a core movement throughout every level.
Training Scale
Rhythm – Maintaining an identical rhythm while changing direction teaches consistency through transitions of line.
Suppleness – Changing direction encourages equal flexibility on both reins and helps prevent one-sidedness.
Connection – The horse learns to remain confidently connected between both reins during changes of direction.
Straightness – Travelling diagonally away from the arena fence exposes crookedness and develops true straightness.
Impulsion – Maintaining forward energy across the diagonal improves the horse’s ability to carry impulsion without relying on the arena wall.
Collection – At higher levels, balanced changes of rein help preserve self-carriage and collection through directional changes.
Prerequisites
Before introducing change of rein, the horse should be able to:
- Maintain a consistent rhythm.
- Follow basic steering aids.
- Ride straight for short distances.
- Maintain an even contact.
- Ride accurate corners.
- Stay willingly in front of the leg.
Leads to
A well-established change of rein prepares the horse for many later movements, including:
- Half circles with change of rein
- Serpentines
- Figure eights
- Loops
- Shallow loops
- Changes of bend
- Counter canter
- Simple changes
- Flying changes
- Half-pass and other lateral work
Exercises to Improve
Point to Point
Pole on the Centreline
Figure 8
Troubleshooting
The horse drifts sideways across the diagonal
Ride more positively into the outside rein and support with both legs to keep the shoulders and hindquarters aligned.
The horse speeds up
Half-halt before leaving the track and focus on maintaining the same tempo rather than allowing the diagonal to become an invitation to lengthen.
The horse falls behind the leg
Use a prompt leg aid before leaving the track to maintain impulsion throughout the movement.
The horse becomes crooked
Look towards your destination, keep your shoulders square, and ride evenly into both reins rather than relying on the inside rein to steer.
The new bend appears too early
Keep the horse straight across the diagonal and establish the new bend only as you return to the track or enter the corner, unless the test specifically requires otherwise.