Pelhams, reins & roundings again- sorry!

[HairyCob]

Having read Heather's book from cover to cover several times, and having been a regular reader of this forum, when I started having problems with H.C. pulling, bolting, napping and generally being a 5year old trying his luck, and having ruled out back/teeth/tack etc, I decided to try him in a Pelham....

So.. as I am a student and can't afford to make costly mistakes, I borrowed a friends SS pelham to try him in- just in case he took a violent dislike to it as he has some other bits- snaffle mainly- and threw a complete wobbler.

The only condition of me borrowing said bit was that I couldn't take the roundings she rides in off as they are such a pain to get back on.. fair enough, tried H.C. in SS pelham with one set of reins and roundings and was really impressed- different horse!

Off I toddle to buy him a pelham- I'm afraid he got a SS one as I couldn't afford a happy mouth and he wont have any other rubber- particularly black rubber for some reason- anywhere near his mouth- with the thought that when I can, I will get a happy mouth. I also got two sets of reins, wanting to do the job properly...

And here by hangs the problem! I cannot get used to using two reins and H.C. , understandably got a little fed up with my fumblings by his wither, which he obviously could feel in his mouth. Napping, pulling and all manner of difficulties ensued whenever I attempted the two rein thing- drop the curb rein (No curb chain by the way) and he was better.

Finally, today I gave up and put roundings on our pelham- H.C. was as happy as larry- despite having been in for two days with no turnout or excersise- and was an absolute pleasure to ride. The only problem I had was with a driver being an a*****e who revved his engine and deliberatley tried to spook us- H.C. did spook and 'took off'- three paces of trot down the road before he responded to my seat and rein squeeze. Bear in mind that last time something like that spooked him he took off and cantered all the way home with me having no chance of changing his mind!

So, is it a totally henious crime to ride in a Pelham with roundings? Am I going to do him any damage doing this? Or should I persevere for another month trying to get the hang of riding with two reins?

I have to say my instinct is that as we are both happier and I can ride on a lighter contact with the roundings, I am inclined to stick with them, but I would, as always, value some expert opinions!

H.C's Mum

[Heather]

I have to say that the action of the Pelham is made less controllable with the roundings as it means that the curb chain if you use it, woudl most likely be coming into contact with the curb groove all of the time instead of only when the curb rein is used. It has to be said though that some horses do go perfectly well with this arrangement, although you have to be very careful not to pull back and try to use the bit as a brake, rather than purely to relax the lower jaw.

If he is happy, leave him in this for the moment, and practice with two reins off the horse. Attach them to a chair, or something that will hold the two reins apart, and practise using them separately.
Most riders get used to them very quickly - in fact by the end of the two day courses here, they wondered why they had ever been aftraid of using them, or thought they woudl be difficult.

I guess having been brought up in an era when double bridles, pelhams etc were still perfectly acceptable if your horse went better in them than a snaffle, that I got used to riding in double reins from a young age.


Heather

[Murphs]

I have the same problems as you HC - having always used roundings, i've decide it was time to use double reins - i generally then find that i'm riding with a loose curb rein (we have a chain) and then i'm not really sure what i'm supposed to be doing with that second rein - maybe someone could explain what i should be seeing in the horse if i'm using double reins correctly.

[Janette]

I have just taken the roundings off Star's pelham, and put my daughter up, who is better at 2 reins then me (at the moment! - not going to be beaten by a 12 year old). Star's head came down, and her whole shape changed. She looked like a champion show cob.:) I have ridden with 2 reins, and the whole horse feel lighter in your hand. I found that I rode with my reins longer, because Star became much more responsive - an altogether magical feeling. (not sure about the safety aspect.) Will persevere with the 2 reins, because it is definitly worth it from the horses point of view. No martingale required, and muscles develop correctly because of correct self carriage.

[ros]

That's it exactly, Janette - it's that wonderful lightness that you get that's so exciting.

Through my life most of the horses I've ridden - my own, at riding schools and other people's - have been in snaffles, and very few of those horse (I'm ashamed to say my own included) had really been schooled to relax their jaw. So of course it was a constant fight - I never knew what to do with my arms, because you couldn't just tweak a rein and get a response, and to be ready for any eventuality usually meant holding the reins short, which in turn, if you didn't want to hold the head in a vice, meant pushing your hands forward and keeping them there, which makes your arms ache like the devil if you keep if up for any length of time.

With the Pelham I found instantly and to my intense relief that I could allow my arms to hang naturally and maintain a much lighter contact, knowing that a gentle squeeze would get a response.

When you ride with two reins, you can keep them both the same length, and because you can have a nice light contact you can decide which set of fingers to tweak, and therefore which rein to bring into play. It gets fun when you start to feel a sense of refinement in your rein aids. If you want to loosen off your curb rein, or knot it and drop it altogether, you can. (Don't tell Heather, but sometimes when Merly gets too strong in the field and I'm about to get carted, I do it the other way round and ride on the curb alone - he comes back to hand very quickly and it saves hauling on his mouth.)

Sometimes part of the problem with two reins is simply knowing which is which - Libby's do different coloured nylon reins, I think (the ones with the light rubber backing which are great to hold), so I had this bright idea that if you bought two sets of a different colour it would make life much easier. (Might look a bit odd but needs must when the devil drives!)

[Janette]

Look in the 'Bible' - AKA Enlightened Equitation, and you will see a section where Heather is riding on just the curb rein. I don't she would mind a bit if it works.;)

[Kerry's Partner]

You don't need different coloured reins. Mine are (not) plaited - Sue will tell you I hope and a plain rein. The "plaited" is the snaffle; the plain the curb.

I felt really really clumsy at first and very self conscious that I was taking ages to sort myself out before riding - BUT this bit of embarrassment is well well worth it.

Sandra

[Kerry's Partner]

OK I've remembered now "laced" not "plaited" - and they are both "extra" long - this makes them easier to manage as well. I tried a conventional length straight rein and it was awfully uncomfortable for me - the spare bit just wouldn't form and nice relaxed loop at the side of Kerry's neck so I fidgeted even more.

[HairyCob]

Thanks for your replies folks!

Sounds like I need to conquer this two rein thing! I will do as Heather suggests and practice on a chair, and will also invest in some longer reins because, like Kerry's partner, I have found the reins I have don't hang properly and get in the way. I already have one laced and one plain so I can tell the difference without leaning up H.C.'s neck to have a look!!

So.. come on then, who wants to post the idiots guide to EXACTLY how to hold two reins? I started off with the curb between my ring and little finger and the snaffle under my little finger (so just up through the 'fist') but this didn't seem to work and I felt I was using the curb too much, so i swopped them over, but then the curb rein seemed to be hanging very loose and doing nothing... I'm confused and would appreciate someone telling me how I should be holding them in simpletons terms!

I'd check in my 'bible' (E.E!) but I have loaned it to someone... 'spread the word...praise be to Heather!!' :D ;)

Also, should I put a curb chain on, and if so, where can I get an elastic one because I don't like the thought of a SS one, and haven't seen elastic ones anywhere!

Living in hope of becoming a better rider...!

H.C.'s Mum!

[Kerry's Partner]

I've got a spare elastic curb - depends on where you live I suppose.

Fingers: little finger between the curb and snaffle. (I cannot for the life of me explain in a better way than this).

All the very best.

Sandra

[HairyCob]

Thanks Sandra- I have PM'd you!!;)

[Murphs]

just so happens this question was asked in the Feb HORSE magazine - response as follows (and i believe ties in with Heather's preference):

The snaffle (top) rein runs beneath the little fingers of each hand and the curb (bottom) rein runs between the third (ring) finger and the little finger....Both reins then come through the hands together and are held against the first finger with your thumbs on top. This method means the snaffle rein is naturally slightly dominant.

[ros]

Don't know about anyone else, but I did find it was important at first to remember to hold the thumb fairly firmly on top of both reins. It makes it easier to twiddle your fingers independently.

[LindaAd]

When I learned to ride - more years ago than you can imagine - I was taught to have the snaffle between 3rd and 4th fingers, the same as with just one rein, and the curb rein either between 4th and 5th or below the 5th, which made it easy to ride on just the snaffle as usual, and to control the curb with the tiniest tweak of your finger.


This used to be correct, I've checked in old books, but now it's
All Wrong - everyone tells me its wrong, so I've learned to do it the "proper" way. But I'm still hoping the fashion will change and the old way will come back; it seems simple and logical to me.

[Murphs]

LindaAd

the article in the magazine goes on to say that for greater control of the curb rein the usual technique is reversed -ie. the curb rein goes beneath the little finger and the snaffle rein between the third and little finger - it gave an example of being in a heavyweight show hunter class when this may apply.

[Whisky&Apache]

i think that you should hold the reins so that its comfortable for the horse and yourself there are so many different ways of holding them the right way is the one that is right for you and your horse. i have the snaffle rein between my fourth and fifth fingers and the curb rein between my third and fourth fingers - whisky is happy with that and thats good enough for me.

[CityGirl]

Eek - having a hard time visualizing this. Could someone post pictures if you have any.? Or is there something I can read - something along the lines of "double reins for dummies!"

[galadriel]

Found a web page with a graphic here:
http://leeziegler.com/pelham.html

Includes two methods of holding double reins, at least.

[Mehitabel]

http://www.historicalfact.com/~es/silvershadows1.jpg
http://www.historicalfact.com/~es/silvershadows2.jpg

have a look at these - they're enormous because i scanned them in at a high resolution as they were to be printed, so you can see the reins and how they go. the snaffle rein is under my little finger, and the curb rein is where the rein usually goes - between ring and little fingers. in the second one, you can see clearly where they cross over.

[Sarah]

hello!

I used to find the easiest way to sort all that spaghetti out was like this:

rest both sets of reins on your horse's neck then pick up the curb rein (whille leaning out to the side to see which the curb is if necessary!). Make sure that the curb reins are inside the snaffle (ie against the neck) and hold them as you do a normal set of reins - between your 4th and 5th finger.

Then pick up the snaffle reins and leave on the outside of your little finger.

hope that helps!

bye!

[Janette]

Certainly helps me. I had got a little confused, I did it your way any way ,and now am reassured.

[HairyCob]

Thankyou all so much! You are superstars, one and all (especially you Sandra!!:D )

Now... where is that chair with the bit and reins attatched to it....?!;)

[Kerry's Partner]

Now in new home - most of the boxes unpacked. Said piece of tiny horsey tack now in my "to do folder" so will be with you as soon as rest of boxes unpacked and I get organised!!!!

Sandra

[HairyCob]

Sandra you are a star! Hope the move wasn't too stressfull!

I have now got the hang of this riding with two reins bit- H.C. appreciates all of your advice as much as I do!! The only problem is that, being a courteous rider, I do like to put my hand up to thank drivers for slowing down, and I haven't yet got the hang of passing all reins to one hand to do so- I'm sure it will come, and in the meantime, hopefully everyone is 'reading' my manic nodding and grinning as 'thankyou!'!!:D

[Kerry's Partner]

You can have a giggle now!!!!!!!!!!! It's me who does NOT ride her own horse out on a hack (YET). SO, in the end you'll be far better at being the gracious rider out on the road than I am!!!

Would you believe it? I currently follow my own horse (who is an absolute star) being ridden by my homebased instructor - who manages to "salute" to other road users despite the double reins - I'm following with Nuz with single reins so don't (yet) have a problem!!!!!!!!!

Well it takes all sorts doesn't it? (btw My admission, is in part, for all of the nervous EE followers out there because I think we're quite "normal" really yet we seem to think of oursevles as odd bods somehow.

Sandra