bitting advice for XC one or two reins on pelham

monte1

monte1

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Hi there, i wonder if i could get a bit of advice, I have an ID x TB 9 year old, had him since yearling, backed etc myself, so I know him pretty well and mostly hes a lovely chap, jumps anything and very honest. fine in the school really listens to my seat and does an OK dressage test, but, is built a bit downhill and can really lean and get on the forehand out hacking and during faster work, I normally ride in either a snaffle with lozenge or just loose ring jointed, i can always stop eventually, but sometimes he gets very strong and drops head to the ground ( oh and also inclined to do very big bucks if gets excited which is very disconcerting!!) anyway.. I have been experimenting lately with a jointed pelham, have been riding in two reins with a loose curb chain, mainly on the top rein and he goes really nicely, soft in the hand, much more uphill at front, which is great, also when we do go for a fast ride, and he tries to duck down and take off with me at speed, i can get him back on the curb rein right away, no trouble and then just back to the top rein, anyhow, my question is, i am doing some open hunter trials on sunday and wanted to use the pelham for extra brakes, but, dont really want to have two reins to contend with especially and over drop jumps etc!! do you think I could stick roundings on, in this case and still keep the same sort of control or would it just confuse him?? any suggestions welcome thank you in advance !

sorry for the long post, choccy biccys allround!!!!!!!!
 
I would recommend trying with two reins, I was worrie dfor my first xc with two reins but once I actually got going it was fine, we did have one moment where I slipped them as he took off a stride out then there was 2 strides to next jump so I just grabbed the reins for the second part and organised myself afterwards.

Practice dropping your reins and picking them up again then dropping and picking up again until you are very confident picking them up in a hurry.
 
thank you, i did wonder whether to try that!, but having mostly only used a snaffle before, was concerned might grab the wrong one! I have made sure they are both very different reins so i can identify them, so will see how we go!
 
Im just trying to get to grips with my pelham with double reins on the flat never mind jumping in them lol - I find it helps immensly have two different styles of reins - I currently have a black rein and a brown rein while Im schooling and it helps me quickly figure out which rein is which :D
 
LOL , yes, I know what you mean, I have taken him SJ in it recently and didnt have a problem, thankfully, which is what made me think it might be useful XC, ultimatley i want to ride him in the snaffle, but, it is nice to feel i have the brakes when i need them..!
 
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