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

[Birker2020]

Its a bit like the hunting breastplate strap debate. The strap going from the top strap to the loop on the saddle. Which way do the straps go? The ends of my straps face towards the saddle. That's the way I bought them, but maybe that is wrong.

Interestingly the buckle on these reins are on the right side.

 

[Skib]

the ends of the reins should lie on horse's left shoulder when riding.

I learned to ride as an older adult at BHS approved RSs. I was never taught this. The reins do lie on the left shoulder after one mounts from the left, but if one is using the ends of the reins in lieu of a whip, as in Western or if I forgot to take a whip hacking, I would have the ends hanging from my right hand.


I bought the mare new reins which were kindly put on for me by a young staff member from Eastern Europe. My elderly fingers were too weak. I didnt look to see which way she did it but she warned me it was very difficult (as the slit holes were tight closed) and never to take them off again.

 

[Cortez]

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.... ?

There are several ways to hold the reins of a double bridle, depending both on which traditions you are following and what effect you are attempting to make. There is the French way, the Russian way, the English way and the Viennese way, as well as the one-handed method. All of them could be considered correct in context.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Ohh Good Grief! I'll be getting OCD about that now.

Haven't ever noticed before - and like OP I've been around horses for most of my life (am 60 now).

Didn't know there was ever a "correct" side for it to go on; but explains why I've never won a "Best Turned Out Class", right??

 

[Cortez]

Interestingly the buckle on these reins are on the right side.

No it's not.....

 

[blitznbobs]

There are several ways to hold the reins of a double bridle, depending both on which traditions you are following and what effect you are attempting to make. There is the French way, the Russian way, the English way and the Viennese way, as well as the one-handed method. All of them could be considered correct in context.

Tried to google this - failed to find any info - but i would like to know the difference if anyone could explain them to me.

 

[Cortez]

I'll see if I can find pictures as it's confusing to describe in words, but the English way is bradoon rein between 4th & 3rd finger, curb rein between 3rd & 2nd - or bradoon below curb if you like. Russian way is curb below 4th finger, bradoon on top of 1st finger and below thumb (between 1st finger & thumb. Viennese way is BOTH curb reins and right bradoon rein in right hand, left bradoon rein in left hand. French way is a combination of all of the above, with variations ( ) and also curb below bradoon. There is no "correct" way, only tradition.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

I'll see if I can find pictures as it's confusing to describe in words, but the English way is bradoon rein between 4th & 3rd finger, curb rein between 3rd & 2nd - or bradoon below curb if you like. Russian way is curb below 4th finger, bradoon on top of 1st finger and below thumb (between 1st finger & thumb. Viennese way is BOTH curb reins and right bradoon rein in right hand, left bradoon rein in left hand. French way is a combination of all of the above, with variations p) and also curb below bradoon. There is no "correct" way, only tradition.

Absolutely tradition and choice...
Another English way is curb between 4th and 5th finger with bradoon outside the 5th (still using the top over bottom routine), usually only practiced these days by old timers ?

 

[limestonelil]

Buckle on the left rein, it's just a given!

 

[Cortez]

Absolutely tradition and choice...
Another English way is curb between 4th and 5th finger with bradoon outside the 5th (still using the top over bottom routine), usually only practiced these days by old timers ?

I'm an old timer of course, and generally will do the 4th/5th curb & 5th bradoon thing if I'm riding with a double, but all rein positions described have their uses.

 

[Sussexbythesea]

I know of this simply because it’s been discussed on here before. I’ve subsequently not taken any notice of which way around I buckle and couldn’t tell you if it varies or always the same or if “correct” or not.

 

[rabatsa]

As a carriage driver I always have the buckles on the right rein, both riding and driving.

 

[Alibear]

Buckel on the left, same as the throat latch buckle is on the left. (I'm blatantly ignoring the modern anatomical bridles with that answer )
Everything does up on the left if possible.

Split reins = no buckle, and I admit I drop the damn things more than I'd like. It's a good job that Amber's verbal whoa is good, and she's also helpful in turning her head right around to my leg for me to retrieve them.
Come on, western gang, it's 2022; buckles are useful things. Don't get me started on the joys of tying on girths, bits, etc. I avoid Chicago screws as I've seen, so many people's bridles fall apart mid-ride. Come on, let's use buckles, people; they work!

 

[Palindrome]

Buckles on the left, just because it has always been that way. End of the reins to the outside if using a crop/whip as the crop/whip is on the inside. If no crop/whip, I tend to have it on the right side as it's the mane side but it seems it may not be correct.

 

[irishdraft]

I've had horses for 40 years & this has never occured to me nor has which side the reins fall. I wont be thinking about it for the next 40 years either.?

 

[Greylegs]

Well, I've started something here ....

And as for which shoulder the end of the reins should fall on ....... absolutely no idea that there is a right and wrong way!!! My horse's mane naturally falls on the left (and cant be bothered to change it) so does this have an influence on things or not?????

 

[DabDab]

I have buckle on the right, because my rein ends fall to the right, because two of my current horses have long manes that fall naturally (and incorrectly if you're a traditionalist), to the left.

But my answer to the OP is c - it is not something that troubles me.

 

[First Frost]

Buckle on the left rein , reins to fall over left shoulder. This is so that you don't get them caught in your sword, which you are swinging in your right hand! Remember few people were allowed to be left handed in the distant past. Same reason as we mount on the left, so that the sword that is held on the left hip doesn't have to cross over the horses back. You then grab your sword with your right hand, bring it over the neck, reins, left hand and charge!!!

 

[gunnergundog]

So, if you ride in a double and your bradoon points one way, is it correct that the curb should point in the opposite direction? May be having a senior moment but vaguely remember something along these lines....or should the curb not have a buckle at all? Another vague recollection!

 

[Abacus]

Buckle on the left. But if riding sidesaddle the reins at down the offside not the near side.

 

[Flame_]

I think I'm a buckle on the left person, but I'm left handed and often ride with my reins in my right hand using my left hand a bit like with carriage driving reins, so the end drops to the right. It absolutely freaks me out if it's on the left even when my reins are held "properly".

 

[Puzzled]

Buckle on left!

 

[Puzzled]

Its a bit like the hunting breastplate strap debate. The strap going from the top strap to the loop on the saddle. Which way do the straps go? The ends of my straps face towards the saddle. That's the way I bought them, but maybe that is wrong.

Interestingly the buckle on these reins are on the right side.

View attachment 98759

No buckle is on left….

 

[Tracking_up]

I've always wondered about this, but not sure I'm any the wiser ?

 

[BSL2]

I've always done it this way as Im right handed, and it just feels right. I put martingale on first with saddle, the bridle goes on and reins are threaded through rings to then buckle up. Even if no martingale, buckle always on left. Didn't know it was a "thing" though.

 

[blitznbobs]

Absolutely tradition and choice...
Another English way is curb between 4th and 5th finger with bradoon outside the 5th (still using the top over bottom routine), usually only practiced these days by old timers ?

Thats the way i was taught and still ride on the rare occasions i use a double

 

[neddy man]

No buckle is on left….

I think right means correct in her comment not as in l & r

 

[Sanversera]

but if you are left handed surely the buckle rein should go on the right ring?

 

[Sanversera]

Thats the way i was taught and still ride on the rare occasions i use a double

me too

 

[ycbm]

Interestingly the buckle on these reins are on the right side.

Did you mean"right" as in "correct", because that buckle's on the left ?