Double reins

[Sparklie]

ok...how do I hold them?

I've found that my pony goes much better in a pelham with double reins and I'm muddling through using them as best I can. I've never been taught to use them though so a point in the right direction would be good!!

[emlybob]

There are a few ways to hold them. I will try and explain to you if i can.

Always cross the snaffle rein over the top and outside of bottom rein and then hold this as you would a normal rein and then hold the other rein above it in the space between your second and third finger.

Or hold the snaffle rein up through your hand and the bottom rein how you would normally hold a rein. But in both ways the snaffle rein must cross and end up as your bottom rein. i always prefer the first way.

But i am afraid in my opinion if you are not taught correctly how to ride with double reins you could do alot more harm than good, as pelhams in the wrong hands are lethal.

Try having some help from a RI or possibly using pelhan roundings

[Pink's lady]

Two way -

This one -

http://www.classicaldressage.net/members/images/christian1.jpg

or this one -

http://www.classicaldressage.net/members/images/christian3.jpg

As long as the snaffle is under the curb, it doesn't matter. I've used both ways but find the first one easier - more space between the two makes it easier to use them seperatly.

possibly using pelhan roundings

see, I think that's more dangerous than using the two seperatly. AS long as you're careful and sensible you can't so too much harm. Ride with the snaffle like you would normally and only use the curb is you want a little more roundness (which isn't the same as a properly outline - all it does it make them curl their neck). I often ride with the curb rein hanging loose as I'm warming up.

[Sparklie]

Done the roundings thing and he didn't work in it at all...I agree with Pinks Lady, it just gives contradicting signals to the horse.

I'm not a beginner so I should hope that I wont cause any damage. I have a secure seat and soft hands so wont be dragging my horse around only using the curb rein or anything...just need some tips to help me unmuddle my reins and get me using them properly. I guess practice makes perfect

[Sparklie]

not the best of photos but this is right then?

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/SparklieH/doublereins.jpg

[capalldubh]

Hi Sparklie!

Your pony is gorgeous (looking at other thread too!).

That is the way I hold them. Also, if you get in a muddle, drop the curb rein on the neck, hold the snaffle rein in the usual way, then once you're sorted pick up the curb. (I had to do this lots at the start. It took about 3 weeks for picking reins up right to become automatic. Now it feels weird to have just one rein - but since we've decided that the mullen mouth bradoon bit of the pelham was very nice, we've dispensed with the curb and are now riding in just a rubber bradoon!).

I would say your pony is slightly overbent because too much curb? I tend to leave the curb rein slightly slacker and only bring it into play when needed by tilting my hand (moving thumb up a bit). I don't know for sure this is the correct way, but it seems to work well.

[Sparklie]

yes he was slightly over bent...I'm not too worried at the moment though, any kind of bend is an improvement considering his usual style!!

I'm still getting to grips with them so maybe my curb rein should be slightly slacker. By the time photos were taken I had a very fizzy pony under me and when riding on a loose rein her kept speeding up just a tad :rolleyes:

I did hold them both of the ways that pink's lady showed (thanks for the photos!) and found this way easier atleast for now

[Murphysmum]

You do not necessarily have to cross them, a lot of riders find that they seem to keep a stronger contact on the top rein, which when they are crossed is the curb rein, which may explain why your lovely horse is behind the bit in the pic.

[Sparklie]

oooh...i always thought snaffle rein HAD to be under the curb. I've never really understood why though as I find myself keeping a stronger contact on the top rein as you said

[Pink's lady]

In theory you shouldn't be able to get leverage on the top rein. You should also really be using it on such a well school horse that a slight tilt in the wrists changes the action - as we should (not that I ever do) be riding with our hands up (like holding juice cups ;)) then with the snaffle rein at the botton, you only need to tilt the wrists down to releive the curb and engage the snaffle. That doesn't work when we have our hands in the wrong position (which most rider ride in :o))

Im suprised you are able to hold the reins at all with thick rubber reins like that. That's a huge handful and rubber reins don't give a very sensitive contact. If you can, I'd try to get a thinner pair for at least the curb rein.

[Sparklie]

the curb rein is rubber which has worn away a lot so is a lot thinner!! that's the only way i can manage it. off to ride away tomorrow so a curb rein is on my list of things to buy along with many other things which i can't afford :rolleyes: horses do tend to cost a bit don't they!

[Pink's lady]

Actually, if you can spare the rein, just peel the rubber off them and you'll have a very nice pair of narrow leather reins underneath (probably - some rubber reins are a bit different). My 'everyday' (which I don't actually use much, but they're brown, so don't match the rest) are an old pair of rubber reins with out the rubber and they brilliant. Alternatively a pair of cheap webbing reins would do just as well.

[Sparklie]

oh i can spare them...might just do that...most of it has peeled off anyhow so wont make too much difference. Atleast one set is brown and one black so i can tell which is which!! ;)

[Pink's lady]

Really, you should, it's dead easy. You just need to un-pick the stitching down the middle and the leather bits at the end where the rubber meets the leather.

[Daffy Dilly]

I have the snaffle rein under my little finger, and the curb between my little and fourth fingers. I have had and still do have lessons with the pelham, so whilst I got shown a few ways to hold them, this works best for me.

For the over bending, I find holding my hands quite high above his withers helps to lift his front. They feel artificially high, but my instructor never told me to lower them, so I suspect I'm just fixing a bad habit of holding my hands too low. :p

[Sparklie]

yeah i think we all have bad habits Daffy...I don't even want to think about mine. Got videoed yesterday for the first time and wasn't too happy looking at the results. Time to book a course of lessons I think!

I shall work on my hand position. I'm trying to encourage Twig to stretch but he's such a little fizz pot that he gets excited and starts bouncing about like a spring...:rolleyes: ponies!

[Murphysmum]

I think it all boils down to which ever way you and your horse feel is the most effective, as long as the reins are in educated hands.

I'm sure hand size, build and strength all come into play, as well as the build of your horse, so do what you feel most comfortable with.

[holiday]

I hold my reins the same as daffy dilly as i find that easier, but its however suits!!!!1