Contact is the the term used for the connection between a rider's / driver's hands and the horse's mouth via the reins. For an even contact, the reins should be streched in a straight line between the hands and the mouth. Contact must be elastic enough to enough to allow for the natural movement of the horse's head and soft enough to allow the horse to show some mouth activity, without a loop developing in the reins. A soft and even contact is the basis for all riding and driving activities and one of the most important forms of communication between the rider/driver and the horse.