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

[GreyDot]

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?????

This is definitely 'a thing' it seems in Engand - is it just for showing that the mane is supposed to fall on a certain side? My horses all have their manes falling to the left and it never occurred to me that this was wrong, but there is an avid showing person at the yard who looks physically pained whenever she sees my two She's asked me more than once whether its because mine are European, that I have their manes 'on the wrong side'.
Doesn't bother me at all, but I do think it's an odd one.

 

[ycbm]

There was a top event rider once, I forget which one, who said it was easy to train a main over and people should do it and not plait on the "wrong" side. I thought it was hilarious, because as an international competitor with a yard head groom and a travelling head groom and a whole team of people under that, I doubt he'd been anywhere near grooming a mane in years.

Who cares?
.

 

[Hepsibah]

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.... ?

So which of these is correct?

 

[BSL2]

Prefer the chestnut/fancy flash. Looks to be in a more comfortable position. Going to yard to change mine later?

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

So which of these is correct?

I'd fit in the direction of the chestnut.

 

[Cortez]

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

It’s nothing to do with the handedness of the rider, it’s because of the end of the reins being on the left shoulder, swords, practicality, tradition - all that sort of stuff.

And the flash is correct on the chestnut horse.

ETA there is no “correct” other than tradition, practicalities and personal preference. Do whatever you want and doesn’t endanger anything.

 

[OldNag]

I have always put buckle end of reins on left BUT have always put the loop of the reins down the right shoulder (that was how I was taught back in the 70s).

I don't often carry a sword so hopefully that is OK.

 

[ecb89]

Just cleaning my tack. On the end of my ‘pointy’ rein it is stamped XF, for this to be the correct way up the pointy end is on the left and the buckle end is on the right

 

[ycbm]

It’s nothing to do with the handedness of the rider, it’s because of the end of the reins being on the left shoulder, swords, practicality, tradition - all that sort of stuff.

What difference it make to which side of the shoulders you hang the reins which rein has the buckle on it? I always have the buckle on the left and the reins hanging to the left.
.

 

[ponynutz]

So which of these is correct?

I've always been taught buckle out so the bay but the chestnut looks so much smarter!!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

So which of these is correct?

Not sure which is correct but I hate seeing them 'up' so it would be the chestnut for me!!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Mane to the right, reins to the left.

I hold my double reins differently to most people. Bradoon rein as you would normally have a snaffle rein, curb under the pinky. They don't cross.

 

[Hepsibah]

I don't use a flash but seeing the strap pointing up makes me shudder. IMO everything should be buckled to the left.

 

[AandK]

Checked mine while riding today, reins were buckle on the left, but that’s by accident not design as I had no idea there was a ‘correct’ way. Usually have reins hanging on the left side anyway. I knew about getting on from the left side due to sword etc, but didn’t know that the reins on the left was for the same reason!

Have never understood the mane on the right thing tbh. When I was a groom many years ago, often had owners obsessed with trying to train a mane over, they never looked quite right! My late mare had hers to the left, I just let it be. Both my geldings have theirs fall to the right naturally, so no issues there

 

[criso]

I checked mine today, buckle was on the left. Must have done it subconsciously.

 

[splashgirl45]

Mane to the right, reins to the left.

I hold my double reins differently to most people. Bradoon rein as you would normally have a snaffle rein, curb under the pinky. They don't cross.

thats how i hold double bridle reins, its the same way as CDJ and she hasnt done too badly holding them that way. I last rode in a double in the 70’s so i am a bit old fashioned as im sure everyone rode with them like that then..

 

[Birker2020]

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

Yes! ?

 

[Lois Lame]

So which of these is correct?

I think the one on the chestnut is better, or correct. The buckle most importantly is away from the bit. I think it would also be easier to undo and do up in this position and direction.

Regarding manes falling on the 'wrong' side, I would never try to train a mane to fall where it doesn't want to fall.

BTW, what a handsome fellow that chestnut is. No wonder he has a job as a model.