Many years ago while visiting the stable of the late Hector Carmona in New Jersey, I was intrigued by a sign in his indoor arena that boldly proclaimed, “The secret of riding is the outside rein”.

I soon discovered that the outside rein (AKA the rein of opposition) has many critical jobs:

Bad is probably not the best term. Misunderstood probably better fits the bill. Horses are by nature free and pure. Humans are full of problems and stress. Take something pure and free and add a little of our problems and stresses and what do you get? A Bad horse.