How do you hold your double reins?

[Wagtail]

The most common and traditional way to hold double reins is wth the curb rein above the bradoon rein so the reins cross over. This is how I have held them in the past, but have been rather uncomfortable with it as it really has never made sense to me. I would have much preferred the other way around as it seems much more simple, natural and functional. I have noticed that some top dressage riders also hold them with the curb rein underneath (furthest from the thumb). So I have changed and find it far better. Which way do you hold them?

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I have my snaffle rein as normal and my curb under my pinky. So they aren't crossed. It's just the way I have been taught and it seems perfectly natural to me. Plus I have a tendency to slip my lower reinso it ends up looser. I never use it, my horses are schooled to the snaffle rein. Though I am now schooling 2 of my tbs to each and every way to have double reins used as you never know what way the ride judge rides!

 

[MissMistletoe]

I ride in a pelham.

The curb rein sits between my 3rd an 4th fingers, and the snaffle sits UNDER the pinky finger (not on top). The reins are crossed.

I know this is a bit odd, but I like how there is two fingers seperating the two reins. I feel that there is more seperation of the two actions this way and my pony seems to go really nicely in it.

 

[monkeybum13]

I've always crossed over, I've never felt the need to try the other way so haven't. Works fine as it is

 

[Goldenstar]

I usually hold the Bradoon rien as I would a snaffle and then one finger in between it and the curb .
I also often work with both curb riens in one hand with the Bradoon rien from that side and the other Bradoon rien on its own in the other hand .
But I am and also happy with two fingers between the riens or with the curb on the bottom it depends on the horse and who you are riding for I have worked with lots of people so learnt to do it how they like.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

The traditional way if I'm using a double for refinement, so I can vibrate my little finger for snaffle action (which is mostly what I'll need) and vibrate all my fingers if I want curb action too. I hold the reins how you describe with the curb rein at the bottom if I'm using a double for brakes, so I can activate the curb in a definite way by flicking my wrist down.

 

[BackRidingAgain]

No-one ever showed me the 'right' way, but when I used a Pelham I did it like MissMistletoe - the top (would be the bradoon/snaffle side of a double bridle) rein between my third and fourth fingers and the curb rein between the fourth and my little finger. I found this gave me good control of both reins and to this day it is how I would ride a horse in a pelham or full double bridle.

This may not be right, but it seemed to work for me

N.B. my horse went well in a pelham, though I know it is often seen as one of those bits that shouldn't work, but seems to.

 

[bumper]

No-one ever showed me the 'right' way, but when I used a Pelham I did it like MissMistletoe - the top (would be the bradoon/snaffle side of a double bridle) rein between my third and fourth fingers and the curb rein between the fourth and my little finger. I found this gave me good control of both reins and to this day it is how I would ride a horse in a pelham or full double bridle.

This may not be right, but it seemed to work for me

N.B. my horse went well in a pelham, though I know it is often seen as one of those bits that shouldn't work, but seems to.

Exactly that! ^^^^

 

[nickynoos]

I ride in a pelham.

The curb rein sits between my 3rd an 4th fingers, and the snaffle sits UNDER the pinky finger (not on top). The reins are crossed.

I know this is a bit odd, but I like how there is two fingers seperating the two reins. I feel that there is more seperation of the two actions this way and my pony seems to go really nicely in it.

ditto, didnt think you should ride with the reins not crossed?

 

[ozpoz]

Crossed - so I use the snaffle rein as normal, and the curb is only if I need it. I was taught that this way the double bit sits comfortably in the mouth.

 

[bumper]

I didn't think so either. Mind you, unlike MM, but like BackRidingAgain, I always put the curb between 4th finger and pinkie. I could never seem to get the hang of it UNDER the pinkie!

 

[Littlelegs]

Exactly like sugar & spice. Also ridden plenty of other peoples who hold them differently, in which case I do it their way.

 

[nickynoos]

i use method 1

http://www.classicaldressage.net/members/lesson_pages/spurs_doublebridle.html

 

[MissTyc]

Crossed with curb between 3rd/4th OR between 4th/5th depending the horse and activity and the bridoon under the pinky. T'was how I was taught many moons ago and it stayed with me. I do sometimes used the curb in right hand + snaffle in each hand technique but actually hadvn't for a while

 

[BackRidingAgain]

So I must hold them wrongly as I don't use any of the methods on that website LOL!

However, the way I sorted it out does mean that I can use each rein completely independantly and with control which seems to be the essence of the use of the double reins. So therefore is it wrong?

My other thought is if the bridoon is held under the little finger - i.e. no finger under it, then although the text says it can then be used as a standard snaffle, this wouldn't be how a standard snaffle is usually held - which to my knowledge is usually between the fourth finger and the little finger. Therefore are the descriptions correct?

Happy to absorb this knowledge though and to change what I do as I've never been taught the correct method.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Back Riding Again as long as you can use the bradoon and curb reins independently, I believe its down to personal preference how you hold them.

 

[Orangehorse]

There isn't a "correct" way to use them, just do what seems best for you and your horse.

 

[Wagtail]

Thanks, everyone. It seems the crossed over method is still by far the most popular.

 

[Alyth]

Back in the 1950s I was taught to hold them "military style", not crossed. Curb rein outside the little finger, snaffle rein between little finger and ring finger. Later the
"civilian style" became more popular as there were more and more civilian instructors as opposed to military gentlemen teaching us!! The "civilian style" was the crossed reins way. Snaffle rein outside the little finger, curb rein between the little finger and the ring finger....The important thing to learn is the way to bend your wrist so the rein you want activated is the one used!! Don't just use the hand and fist together and affect both reins at once....

 

[Slightlyconfused]

When my old mare is in her Pelham, it's a hand brake on sponsored rides , I have the snaffle rein as my normal rein and then the curb rein a finger up and I just close those fingers if I need the curb action. If that makes sense. I was always told the curb rein should not be on the bottom as its the back up and should not have the constant contact the snaffle rein needs or it will lose its affectivness.

 

[siennamum]

What I would consider the 'correct' way, 1st one here:
http://www.stepintodressage.com/double.html

 

[siennamum]

Ignore the white space, I couldn't remember how I hold them so had to go and look