How does a horse's bridle work?

Answer 1

Many people abuse the bridle by trying to use it to MAKE a horse stop, turn, collect, etc. The bridle should only be used with very gentle hands and the slightest pulls on the reins to cue your horse to do something.

So to answer your question, it should be used to cue your horse when you need it to stop, turn, collect, etc.

It helps steer the horse and it stops the horse.

Answer 2

A bridle is made to control the horse's head. The bitgoes in the horse's mouth and puts pressure on one side or another depending on what side you pull. The saying "Where the Head Goes the Body Follows Applies Here".

Answer 3

The reins are attached to the bit (metal in the horse's mouth) of the bridle, or the side pieces near where the bit would be if it is a bitless bridle. They are used for varying things based on discipline, but most of all they are used for controlling direction (pulling on the one on the side you want the horse to turn do) and slowing down the horse (pulling back on the reins). As the rider progresses from the very basics, each discipline (riding style) has their own ways to use the reins to make the horse do what they want it to do. Each discipline has their own model of what a horse should look like, so the reins are used to achieve that. In hunter, they're used to make the horse round their head. In dressage, they're used with subtle cues to make the horse perform amazing movements. In western, they're used by neck reining (you move both reins to the same side, and the horse responds to the pressure on its neck) and making the horse put its head low.

In short, there is no one way the reins are used, there are many.