Double reins daily riding.

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xTrooperx

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Does anyone ride with double reins not just for showing? I'm bit searching and a bit few ppl suggested means using two reins, I've only ever used one. I could just use one but researching it's not really ideal or use rounding.
God why is finding the right bit hard?
 
I'm guessing they have recommended a Pelham then? I ride with 2 reins when the mare is in her Pelham,never fancied using roundings. I prefer the two reins as I can just put the curb into effect as and when needed.
 
I ride my big horse in two reins on a 3 ring continental as most of the time he is fine on the top rein it just gives me that little extra
 
I used to ride one of mine in a pelham or 4 ring gag with 2 reins as most of the time he only needed the top rein and roundings numbed the effect of the bottom rein when he took off but used to swop between the two regularly as it seemed to improve my brakes! Also I don't like using one rein on the bottom ring of a gag
 
Actually it's a Dutch gag, which I was very surprised at. Though thinking of sticking rein on second rein instead of third, unless doing something like hunting/galloping within a large group. Currently in French link and have brakes but takes a bit of fighting, though had very limited other day ( don't want to repeat) while out due to excitement, doesn't really like snaffles & myler fulmer, again took 'thinking' time to stop. & needed something to fit shape of mouth as fleshy cob mouth ( big tongue, low roof), haven't tried a straight bar but for reason I have a gut feeling she won't like it & will cause a battle, no idea why but you know that feeling that shouts don't even try.
Had a tiny plod with gag rein on second ring, as just a 'try' & there was no 'I will stop after 10 seconds' , I have light hands & use seat/legs and hardly use reins to turn/stop but when I do pick up reins I expect them to listen.
 
I ride in a double bridle whenever I ride.

Re: the feel of two reins- at first it's a lot, but now I much prefer the weight and feel of two reins in my hands.
 
All I do is hack and was thinking I would be a oddity using two for daily riding. Is there set combo of reins that would work better? I currently have a spare set like mine sat in shed and wondered if I can get away with them, they are the normal material webbing sort with leather strips, leather at buckle & bit end.
 
xTrooperx said:
All I do is hack and was thinking I would be a oddity using two for daily riding. Is there set combo of reins that would work better? I currently have a spare set like mine sat in shed and wondered if I can get away with them, they are the normal material webbing sort with leather strips, leather at buckle & bit end.
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No, I have a pelham with double reins. I use this specifically for hacking out on those frosty mornings when I need the reassurance of good breaks! You just get used to it. Do get someone to show you how to hold them, there is an art to riding mainly on the top rein but having the bottom there for those 'oh ****' moments!
 
I use them all the time at home but swop all of mine between snaffles and show pelhams just so they always go in both.

As to holding them - there's no hard and fast rule as to how it's just personal preference. I hold my snaffle rein as normal and my curb under my pinky so the reins don't cross. My sister holds them the other way, snaffle under the pinky, curb as you would a normal single rein.

In general so long as the curb or lower rein of the 2 is used only in breaking situations and not constantly being clung onto you should be grand.
 
When I was training on the first yard I was on we did hunter livery in winter even the snaffle bridles had two sets of reins stitched to them.
It became second nature .
 
You can also get 'split' reins - hard to describe but your holding one rein but it splits into 2 about a foot from the bit. Although I can't see how this is different to roundings tbh.

There is no shame in hacking, or in doing any discipline, in double reins if you and your horse are happy with them, but just be careful when opening gates etc...
 
xTrooperx said:
Actually it's a Dutch gag, which I was very surprised at. Though thinking of sticking rein on second rein instead of third, unless doing something like hunting/galloping within a large group. Currently in French link and have brakes but takes a bit of fighting, though had very limited other day ( don't want to repeat) while out due to excitement, doesn't really like snaffles & myler fulmer, again took 'thinking' time to stop. & needed something to fit shape of mouth as fleshy cob mouth ( big tongue, low roof), haven't tried a straight bar but for reason I have a gut feeling she won't like it & will cause a battle, no idea why but you know that feeling that shouts don't even try.
Had a tiny plod with gag rein on second ring, as just a 'try' & there was no 'I will stop after 10 seconds' , I have light hands & use seat/legs and hardly use reins to turn/stop but when I do pick up reins I expect them to listen.
Click to expand...

When I bought the Draft mare, she came with a Dutch gag and one set of reins on the middle ring. I soon swapped that for a NS Universal and 2 reins. She is much lighter in the hand and far more responsive than she was in the old bit which had a FL mouthpiece. Again, I usually ride on the snaffle rein but keep the curb rein for those occasions when she decides that she wants to dictate the pace. We use a NS Tranz for schooling but that only has the one rein.
 
L&M said:
You can also get 'split' reins - hard to describe but your holding one rein but it splits into 2 about a foot from the bit. Although I can't see how this is different to roundings tbh.
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Those are the same as roundings really. They're for childrens showing classes.

OP whatever reins you use, you need two different sorts so you can tell at a glance (or by feel) whether you've picked up snaffle or curb, eg after put them in one hand to adjust stirrups etc.

I ride with double reins often. You soon get used to it. It's personal preference which type of reins you want to use. I find the webbing as you describe for the snaffle with plain for the curb works well.
 
Mine is in a Dutch gag and he's fine most of the time. He came with it as he had it for XC, previous loaner had bought a snaffle but kept it when she gave him up. I ride him all the time in the gag, occasionally on the second ring but mostly one rein on the first. I've never done XC but his owner's daughter uses a second rein on the third ring as he gets strong.

Ax
 
I used to ride my mare in a pelham with 2 reins (I disapprove of roundings!) and to start with I asked my RI to give me a lesson riding with the 2 reins and after an hour where she made me drop them and pick them up over and over, swapping my whip hand over as well, i got reasonably proficient at dealing with the 2. thoroughly recommend that approach!
 
I use a pelham for hacking & fast work as horse very strong & has a wicked spook spin manouvre which I don't mind in fields but don't like him doing it on roads,he loves his pelham & it just gives me the edge over him! He hates it with roundings, I use rubber reins as the top rein & a very thin plain leather curb rein on the bottom. I've never struggled with 2 sets of reins & actually like it now.
 
You quickly get used to it, I ride mine in a Pelham with 2 reins all the time except dressage, we school, hack, show, working hunter and cross country with 2 reins and it's not a problem.
 
I used to hack my old boy in a dutch gag with two reins, had the bottom rein really loose mostly and worked him off the snaffle ring but had the bottom rein there for brakes if needed!

now i play polo so two reins is the norm, even on a snaffle
 
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