That's what I've done with Bay when I've tried to work on it.... just add the neck rein to the direct rein on the other side... even one handed. I can slide the reins and give enough of each. Bay's just always been direct reined when it matters. I could get him to make gentle or obvious turns with a slack neck rein, but if he's got to do a 180 in the trail, or go some direction that isn't his first choice, I direct rein.
I think ecurbh has found Cyn to be more relaxed relatively slack and neck reining... having been started in Western Pleasure, I suppose that's her norm.
I've always ridden Bay with more contact with his snaffle Kimberwick.... but I'll have to be more slack with the new hackamore.
Well I'm back from exchanging the pad. You're right, hair about them being mostly air. I didn't find one like yours.
They did have a Professional Choice Air ride, and it doesn't have any valves you have to set. I always had good proformace from PC boots, so I'm going to give this pad a try. I got 15% off because it had a discolored spot on it. He is saddled now, and every thing looks good so far. I'm going to have lunch then ride. The best thing is Pet Smart gives a 60 day money back guarantee. Can't beat that. Gives me plenty of time to try it, And PC give a 24 month guarantee.
See you later.
Becky
I generally don't neck rein either but I'd definately prefer doing it the way you describe without the crossed reins. I just did it that way because that's the way Blade's new owner had asked me to do it.
My real preference is steering by leg pressure if I'm bushwhacking through the woods. That way I've got my hands free to fend off low-hanging branches and briars but I can still take the reins and give stronger direction if I need to. It's like Duchess said, doing it in tight quarters gives them an obvious reason for why you're doing what you're doing.