Shorter Curb Rein?

Alaadin

Alaadin

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Is it true that when riding with two reins, that the curb rein should be shorter than the snaffle. Like pony length rather than normal? Or should they be the same length?:confused:
 
It should be slacker and therefore the same length as your snaffle rein. A shorter rein would surely make it more difficult to keep the curb rein loose until required.
 
Should it be the snaffle rein then?

My loan horse is ridden with one rein shorter than the other. And my instructor agreed that one rein should be physically shorter than the other
 
me&Harvey said:
I've always been told you should have more contact on the snaffle rein and only use the curb rein which is slacker, when necessary.
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I don't mean shorter in the contact. I mean physically shorter in length. Like before I even get on the horse, one rein is shorter than the other
 
I can't see why it should be a different size, as such. Although the curb rein is slacker it's a subtle difference so that a subtle aid brings it into play. So long as you have enough rein to allow your horse to stretch down, but not so much that you could get your foot through it, I can't see an issue. Personally, if I was riding my pony with a curb bit, I would be using two pairs of pony sized reins. Anything else would be dangerous.
 
Depending on the length of rein (length of her neck) I would probably be riding in two pairs of cob sized reins. I wouldn't, personally, be riding in reins of different lengths. The difference between the contact in the two pairs of reins is not enough to justify different sizing, I wouldn't think.

Are you using the pony size rein as your snaffle or curb rein?
 
I was taught that the curb rein should be shorter in length to save on ungainly and potentially dangerous loops of rein
 
WelshD said:
I was taught that the curb rein should be shorter in length to save on ungainly and potentially dangerous loops of rein
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As the curb rein is slacker than the snaffle rein, if your snaffle rein hasn't got dangerous ungainly loops in it your curb rein certainly won't have.
 
I think it's more about having just one rein that has surplus rather than two - I guess I learned from a show point of view so maybe more aesthetic than anything! So yes I have heard that the curb rein should be shorter physically - whether that's actually the right thing formally I don't know.
 
WelshD said:
I think it's more about having just one rein that has surplus rather than two - I guess I learned from a show point of view so maybe more aesthetic than anything! So yes I have heard that the curb rein should be shorter physically - whether that's actually the right thing formally I don't know.
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Ah, maybe that's why. I actually think the two looped together look pretty, like in this photo, but that's from a layperson's point of view as I've never showed.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?um=...1.8.img.olTKnaD-t_U#biv=i|3;d|gwLZPFm4TGZO4M:
 
Same as above, my reins on Pelham are both same length but the curb rein is much thinner. I never have any issues with unsafe loops of rein.
 
Speaking as a dressage person, rather than a showing one here, but the curb rein on my double bridle is shorter than the snaffle rein. I changed it deliberately, as I find it easier to keep all my reins organised if the curb ones are shorter. I'm not much help as I have no idea why I like them that way. I just do!
 
Yup my curb rein is physically shorter than the snaffle rein but not drastically, even so the curb rein is never held/used tightly unless shes a very naughty moment.
 
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