Universal Bit & 2 Reins

[C123]

Hello,

My horse is in a universal bit with a lozenge.

For everyday riding, schooling, hacking etc, I have my reins attached to the loose ring of the bit.
For jumping and XC I use 2 reins, 1 rein one the loose ring and 1 one the lower ring. I use these with pelham roundings, so still have 1 rein in my hand.

I know this is how this type of bit should be used but recently am doubting myself as others have said am wrong. Am I?

Also, when using the 2 reins with the pelham roundings, do I still need to use a curb strap? I know I don't need it when only using the loose ring of the universal.

Thank you

 

[meleeka]

If it ain't broke, why fix it?

I used to have the lower rein knotted on my boys neck, so that if he got too strong out hacking I had back up. I don't personally see the point in rounding because it doesn't give you any option to use the bit how it's intended. if you don't use a curb as well, the bottom rein is only doing half a job imo. I get why you'd only want one rein when jumping, so if that works for you, then there's no reason to change.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I don't see the point of roundings because you can't refine the aids with them. I used a NS Uinverssl with 2 reins and a curb strap on my big Westphalian, who could be very strong in the hand especially out hacking. I always held both reins but rarely needed to bring the curb rein into play. She knew it was there, so reacted to the snaffle rein, in almost all situations

 

[ihatework]

I’m struggling to understand what you mean by using 2 reins but with Pelham rounding.

Surely it’s either 1 rein with roundings or 1 or 2 reins without roundings?

 

[teacups]

Surely it’s either 1 rein with roundings or 1 or 2 reins without roundings?

From the description I clearly read it as this, but that OP was giving a more visual description of the setup.

 

[Exasperated]

Hello,

My horse is in a universal bit with a lozenge.

For everyday riding, schooling, hacking etc, I have my reins attached to the loose ring of the bit.
For jumping and XC I use 2 reins, 1 rein one the loose ring and 1 one the lower ring. I use these with pelham roundings, so still have 1 rein in my hand.

I know this is how this type of bit should be used but recently am doubting myself as others have said am wrong. Am I?

Also, when using the 2 reins with the pelham roundings, do I still need to use a curb strap? I know I don't need it when only using the loose ring of the universal.

Thank you

If you use a fairly standard Pelham bit and two reins, the whole point is the (potential, because you don’t have to lever onto the curb rein all the time) poll and curb pressure effects, interplaying with the milder bridoon rein contact.
Roundings, which dovetail two different actions into one, are only useful if the rider really can’t deal with two reins. TBH, if you need one rein and a curb action, probably better to consider a Kimblewick.
However, a lozenge or joint in the middle of a curb bit doesn’t make much sense, either, because the curb pressure isn’t levered against anything solid across the horse’s mouth, and this may well be why you and the horse don’t seem to need the curb chain.
If you and the horse are both managing happily - whatever the theory and your friends say - may as well continue, however unorthodox.
Some people treat their curb rein as an emergency brake, they hold the curb rein in festoons 99.9% of the time, finding that proves sufficient deterrent because the horse knows the curb is still present and could just be brought sharply into play. Traditionally, pelhams used like that are very mild (unless also fitted with one of the more exotic mouthpieces!)
If you take the curb chain off altogether, any pressure on the curb rein will jack a traditional Pelham bit shank upwards, pushing the cheek straps towards the eyes, so you’d be as well to remove the curb rein too.