Three in one.

[Wally]

I would like to know if Heather has come across or uses the "Three in one" method of holding the reins of a double bridle when training. That is where the right curb,left snaffle and left curb rein are held in the left hand and only the right snaffle rein is held in the right hand.
What, if any, are the advantages? and why is it no longer in common use?

[Heather]

Yes, at the Spanish Riding School, where this is still the way the reins are used. It has never been common practice in the UK, and I have to say that I cannot particularly see the advantages of it- most peope have enough trouble initially coping with four reins, two in either hand never mind one and three!

I always ride in the old British way of holding the double reins, as I find that the third and little finger seem easier to use. There are no hard and fast wasy of holding double reins,but for the way in which I was taught to use them the French/Portuguese way, this for me and the way I teach, is preferable.


Heather