I've been around horses for over 60 years and didn't know that .....

[Greylegs]

.... there is a right and wrong way to fasten reins to a snaffle bit.

So ... am I alone in this? I had absolutely no idea .... which is correct? .....

A ... the rein with the buckle always goes on the left ring.
B .... the rein with the buckle always goes on the right ring
C ..... who cares anyway ... either will be fine as long as you have reins

Please feel free to vote (and own up to any other little horse related gems of wisdom that you really never knew ...... ) ............

 

[ponynutz]

I have no idea but i know the buckles are meant to face outwards (i think)!

 

[Barton Bounty]

My reins gave a buckle on the outside ?

 

[Ratface]

I've always have my buckle rein on the right-hand side. Not sure why, mind you . . .

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

I like the tab pointing to the offside, so that would be buckle on the right. Whether that's "correct" or not I'm not fussed.?

 

[Cortez]

I think OP means the buckle that joins the ends of the reins together? And the rein with the buckle should go on the left bit ring, and the ends of the reins should lie on horse's left shoulder when riding.

 

[splashgirl45]

thats really weird as i always had the buckle on the left but dont know why and i have owned horses for more than 55 years. maybe i read it somewhere as a child ? i always used to take the bridle to pieces when i cleaned it so had to attach the reins regularly..

 

[criso]

I don't always remember but know there's a way they should go.

However thinking about it, if I was mounted and had to do up the buckle, being right handed, I would find it easier with the buckle on the left.

 

[cobgoblin]

Buckle on the left rein. It's just easier to undo and fasten.

 

[Birker2020]

That's how mine are not that I ever look down and see them on my horses neck lol

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

I think OP means the buckle that joins the ends of the reins together? And the rein with the buckle should go on the left bit ring, and the ends of the reins should lie on horse's left shoulder when riding.

The point should direct to the off side, hence the buckle to be on the right rein.
Yes to reins down the nearside of neck tho ?

But, as there are much more things to be concerned about, having seen boots with velcro facing the wrong way, a flash strap upside down.... ..... ??

 

[Baywonder]

I always had the buckle on the left rein.

 

[meleeka]

I’ve never noticed and I didn’t know there was a right way either. I’ve only had horses for 35 years though ?

 

[ycbm]

Buckle on the left if you're right handed and vice versa, easier to do up.
.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

The point should direct to the off side, hence the buckle to be on the right rein.
Yes to reins down the nearside of neck tho ?

But, as there are much more things to be concerned about, having seen boots with velcro facing the wrong way, a flash strap upside down.... ..... ??

To add, in the carriage driving world (as well as the old esteemed persons who taught me) the buckle must be on the right rein ? I got a rollocking from in junior whip for having mine wrong way

 

[blitznbobs]

Right tein so the point of the other rein points down the off side shoulder

 

[Wizpop]

I never knew…..I will look when I’m at the yard as I’ve no idea which side mine is on.

 

[chaps89]

The point should direct to the off side, hence the buckle to be on the right rein.
Yes to reins down the nearside of neck tho ?

But, as there are much more things to be concerned about, having seen boots with velcro facing the wrong way, a flash strap upside down.... ..... ??

How do you have a flash strap on upside down?!

 

[Lucky Snowball]

Definitely buckle goes on the left. Traditional.

 

[criso]

How do you have a flash strap on upside down?!

When you thread it through does it do up so the loose bit goes up across the nose or down and under the chin.

 

[planete]

I go with c) as my interest in traditions is not great. I blame an anarchic French childhood.

 

[Lois Lame]

Buckle on the left rein. It's just easier to undo and fasten.

Yes, that's what I do too, for that reason. Interesting that there's a better reason. Makes me wonder what the ends of the reins look like when done the other way.

 

[Red-1]

Gosh, as long as the reins are good quality and maintained, I just put them on! I have no interest in which way the point is, it is restrained in a keeper anyway!

I only undo the central buckle for cleaning and only like one so there is a weak point for if the horse gets their foot through the reins. That said, I don't use a martingale.

 

[NikkiQ]

I’ve always done buckle on left because it feels correct as a right handed person!

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

How do you have a flash strap on upside down?!

Pointing up ok, but not down.
But, there are far more minutae in life to be worrying about.

There is the annual 'which is the correct way to hold 2 pairs of reins' debate.... ?

 

[adamntitch]

Buckle on the left that's so werid never thought about it but it always is

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I have never, ever thought about this, no idea at all what I used to do.

 

[HorseMaid]

I've never thought about this either and I don't really care, BUT the reins must must must fall to the off side for me, I absolutely cannot cope if they fall on the left shoulder ?

 

[Shilasdair]

I think OP means the buckle that joins the ends of the reins together? And the rein with the buckle should go on the left bit ring, and the ends of the reins should lie on horse's left shoulder when riding.

Cortez is correct - the rein with the buckle at the withers goes on the left bit ring.

 

[nellietinker]

With carriage driving the rein without the buckle is the left hand one as it is generally thrown over the right side if you are driving anything more than a single