double reins

[lindiak007]

on friday i rode a TB with double reins....'cause he was very strong

do u use double reins?what do u think about them?

[*ponygal*]

nope i dont use double reins
the only time i have had to use them was when i was going to view a horse on loan
x

[coss]

a few times but i've had the 2nd set on a headcollar or noseband so doesn't count as much. to me, when on a double bridle or pelham or other bit that needs two reins its to refine aids rather than for helping the breaks

[doris]

Agree with coss above - double sets of reins also need some practice in order to get the right amount of 'aid' with the correct rein. I don't think they should be used solely for brakes! But it is good to be taught to ride with double reins.

[Sam (aka SLW)]

Ditto above.
I have ridden in double reins on pelhams, gags, double bridle which are designed for two reins. I can't stand roundings - not what the bit should be used with:rolleyes:

[JustJas]

I like double reins on the right horse.
The extra control if needed.

[Bay Mare]

We use double reins with the pelham (also hate roundings). I also agree that they shouldn't be used as brakes whether on a double or a pelham etc :eek:

[Bayou]

I use double reins on 2 horses at the barn, Package and Tika. I don't really like double reins, it always ends up a big tangled mess but I live with them

[Miki]

I have used double reins once on a horse named Rosa. Normally we put a normal bridle with one set of riens on her for lessons and her owner used the one with double reins.
It was really funny because someone had to show me how to get the bridle on and my instructor had to show me how to use the riens properly, but she did behave better with the doubl reins and held her head nicely rather than dropping it to the ground like normal.
So I think double reins are helpful especially if they can correct a bad behavior, but like in many cases, make sure you know how to use them so you don't mistrain a horse or hurt them.

[Wally]

I always use them on a Pelham, Like Bay Mare roundings are a contraption of the devil!

When using double reins it is vital that you have a good hand/arm position otherwise the action of the two reins is lost.......no pram pushers or puppy dog paws.

[Mossy]

I like the feel of double reins. If you need finger practice hang the bridle over a door and fiddle which watching the box. Mind you much as they *should* not be used for brakes, the option is a life saver if you need it!!!

[pineapple]

my sisters horse goes in a pelham with double reins. i personally dont see the point. they are just a double handful for no reason.

[chickflick1066]

I've ridden in a double. I quite liked it. Only ridden once though, and that was AGES ago!

[King Solomon]

I've heard of riding with double reins but I dont exactly know what it is. Could someone enlighten me? I've only ridden with two reins, or one rein never four! Please? thanks.

[coss]

I've heard of riding with double reins but I dont exactly know what it is. Could someone enlighten me? I've only ridden with two reins, or one rein never four! Please? thanks.

it is when the horse has a double bridle (with 2 bits in the mouth) or another bit that has more than one place for the reins (eg pelham) and you have a rain for the curb and a rein for the snaffle. the curb is meant to be a refinement aid and most of the riding is meant to be done on the snaffle.... other combinations include a snaffle and hackamore (not sure how i feel about that though!) and i've ridden (as i said in my previous post) with the second set of reins on the headcollar or noseband (just so i could attempt to practise).:)

[King Solomon]

Ah okay. Could you preform this with a kimberwick or is that different? :confused:

[acw295]

When I was a kid my RI taught us how to use 2 reins by attaching two sets of reins to our normal RS snaffle bits. We had different reins (plain and laced) so we could tell them apart easily. When she was happy we cold use the designated 'curb' rein properly and independently we were allowed to ride the only horse on the yard that had a double bridle.

It was a great thing to learn - but haven't tried it for some 14+ years so lord knows if I could do it now! I am also not a fan of roundings, but would love to have a go at two reins again :)

[coss]

Ah okay. Could you preform this with a kimberwick or is that different? :confused:

i probably wouldn't use with a kimblewick but i would think it is possible

[goeslikestink]

i would have gone for a kimblewick rather than double reins

for a novice

[Lora]

and i've ridden (as i said in my previous post) with the second set of reins on the headcollar or noseband (just so i could attempt to practise).:)

Hi Coss, would that be the same as draw reins? Seems I have seen that combination around here as well.

[coss]

Hi Coss, would that be the same as draw reins? Seems I have seen that combination around here as well.

no, they aren't draw reins. draw reins would thread through the bit and down to the girth or ring on a breastplate - draw reins are meant to help keep the horse's head in a region where your normal rein will send messages to the bit (if they're head is too high its not good ;)) and some people use it to try and get the horse working round. my use of double reins was simply for practise holding two reins as i know my horse will work in a headcollar or normal bridle.

[Sammii819]

I use double reins when showing in my double and i hunt in a Pelham with double reins, like many others i don't like roundings. Like to have the control on both parts of the pelham not just a single rein. Always good to learn to use two reins even if only to put the second set on the nose band you never know when you'll need to ride with then. It's easy when you get the hang of it.:D

[Lora]

Ah, thanks for explaining that coss. Haven't seen that around, just like you were describing for practice. Someone suggested draw reins to me but honestly, don't like the idea of cranking down the head. Eventually I'm goign to have that magical contact that will bring it down on it's own, right?

(then monkeys might fly out my..... ear?) <g>

[coss]

Ah, thanks for explaining that coss. Haven't seen that around, just like you were describing for practice. Someone suggested draw reins to me but honestly, don't like the idea of cranking down the head. Eventually I'm goign to have that magical contact that will bring it down on it's own, right?

(then monkeys might fly out my..... ear?) <g>

i too don't like the idea of cranking the head down - that is all it does. i have seen them used sensibly - horse can be a bit spooky and goes like a giraffe so it doesn't work when you try and turn or similar, the draw reins were slack for the whole hack as no spooking but could have come into play if needed.
eventually your horse will have the muscle through the back end and over the back to be light infront with a head that accepts a light contact.... in the future, just not sure how near ;)