Out Our Way: Who has the reins?

Exodus 20:3 - 'You shall have no other gods before Me'

Out our way, a well-trained cowpony hardly needs the reins, but aside from the circus, I haven't seen many riders who ride without them. Ole Doc was pretty well-trained when I got him and he attended to my leg directions, "clicking" and "kissy" sounds. But even so, I never let go of the reins ... just in case.

There were times when he needed to back up or make a hard turn and I needed to use the reins. I never abused their use, and he never had a sore mouth. He was a big horse - 17 hands as I recall - but obeyed because he both trusted me...