Usage Note
Rienda is almost always used in the plural las riendas to mean 'the reins' of a horse. The idiom llevar las riendas ('to hold the reins') means to be in charge, and dar rienda suelta ('to give free rein') means to let something run unchecked. The singular is less common except in compound idioms.
Examples
"El jinete soltó las riendas del caballo."
Natural Translation
The rider let go of the horse's reins.

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