Two reins/One rein or roundings...............

[Hattikins]

Your views please

im thinking particularly for pelhams, dutch gags and cheltenham gags-or infact anyother bit that can be used with any of these options

Thankyou very much everyone-i was just intrigued to know what all of your thoughts were on this matter as i know everyone has very different views

 

[CastleMouse]

This is my opinion, although I might be completely wrong:
Pelhams - More correct to wear with two reins, although when your hunting and showjumping it is easier to have roundings and one rein instead of two reins. For a dutch gag I use one rein, with no roundings, less to fumble round with

 

[Oaksflight]

Ideally, I chose two reins over one rein any day. With roundings, you just don't get the choice. Saying that, if I'm riding a strong horse (presumably they would be anyway hence the bit), who is particularly strong for jumping or xc then I probably would choose roundings. I choose roundings with Hal, he is VERY fast, and VERY strong when it comes to jumping, especially XC. I would use the snaffle ring and another (on dutch gag), and the snaffle ring alone is not enough to hold him, and therefore there's not a major difference as I'd be using the lower rein all the time anyway. If I was on a steadier horse, then I'd try use doubles whenever possible.

Oh, but I have never used roundings on a pelham, and don't particularly think I would due to the strength of the bit, unless there was no other option.

 

[teapot]

Have only ridden with a 3 ring, once or twice and that was with 1 rein. Never used a cheltenham etc

With the pelham, have ridden with both roundings and 2 sets of reins. Was riding in roundings as horse was a RS horse out hacking (so obviously it's easier for yard etc).

Old share pony was in a pelham after I found I had no brakes ( in his loose ring french link snaffle, oh and he was a driving pony too), and I rode with 2 reins. I found it much nicer as about 8/10 times only had to use the snaffle rein but was nice to know I had the curb rein too for the odd occasion that he needed it. After you've ridden with both roundings and 2 reins, you really notice the difference and I found it very effective.

 

[lillie]

if im schooling i'll use 2 reins as it gives more precise use & if im jumping i prefer roundings as its easier to pick up a rein than sort out 2 if i loose a contact

 

[rach1984horse]

I'll Echo Teapot.

I rode my pony in a pelham with 2 reins. 9 times out of 10 I don't need to touch the curb rein, however she can get very strong/fizzy so it's nice to know what the option is there.

 

[vicm2509]

I use two reins but I would prefer roundings as one rein is easier that two. I only use my pelham for showing so I dont really have a choice, saying that if I was to relate the question directly to my horse then I would still use two reins as he is a snaffle mouth so I dont really use the bottom rein. But if I were to showjump or xc in one I would use roundings.

 

[RunToEarth]

If I had an easy horse, I would ride in two reins all the time. BUT I dont have an easy horse, hence oshka is ridden in roundings when I am doing fast work, although when I can, I will.
When I ride the others in pelhams/CG/DG I TRY to always use two, because I just feel that where I can spare a pull on the "harsh" bit of a bit, it saves a little bit of mouth.