Which side do you have the reins?!

cuppatea said:
on the opposite side to my whip.....and this changes all the time....
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Me too if carrying a crop, I flip the loose end over when I change my whip or it gets on my nerves:o

Otherwise I don't honestly know, I've never given it much thought. I tend to only use one hand at a time anyway unless I'm being all prim and proper and schooling:D
 
I'm right handed and have double reins on the right and over my hand... Completely wrong by the sounds of it but I can't imagine having them on the left! :p
 
I'm a right and under..I always thought they had to be under to avoid interferance...whip if I ever used one was always in my right as well so on the roads I could stick it out so cars would hopefully pass wide, schooling the whip is always on the inside rein!
 
I have my reins to the right (and under) regardless of which hand I'm carrying the whip in.

I'm right handed.

have tried reins to the left but don't really like it. It's not like it's a positive thought either.

Anyone care to enlighten us as to why reins to the left is correct?!
 
Left and under. I am left-handed and always carry my whip in my right hand except when schooling and it changes to the inside hand. The rein stays on the same side when I change the whip hand.

If riding with one hand I can only hold the reins in my right - can't seem to manage with the left.
 
I care to enlighten

Its due to swords and lances - you would carry excess rein on your left so it couldn't get tangled up with your weapons. Even if left handed I think the cavalry made everyone use their right arm for swords

Its also why the British drive on the correct side of the road so we pass sword to sword

That said here's a sword with rein loop on wrong side:

tentpeggingbodneyhmcrjuly08004.jpg
 
I'm another that generally has them on the opposite side to the whip so it changes depending on what rein i'm on. Generally under but sometimes over if i switch quickly.
 
All depends. If single, to the left. If I'm riding and leading then it goes the right side to stop any chance of getting caught up. Whichever, reins are always under and whip will be in which hand I need it, usually off side against the traffic and I don't change the rein over to the opposite of my whip.
Incidentally, for showing it's considered correct for reins to be on the near side if going left, off side if going right as it gives a better view of the horse's shoulder and front to the judge without dangly reins in the way.
 
Jen_Cots said:
I care to enlighten

Its due to swords and lances - you would carry excess rein on your left so it couldn't get tangled up with your weapons. Even if left handed I think the cavalry made everyone use their right arm for swords

Its also why the British drive on the correct side of the road so we pass sword to sword

That said here's a sword with rein loop on wrong side:

tentpeggingbodneyhmcrjuly08004.jpg
Click to expand...

This was also my understanding and the reasoning behind it...... thus I am under and left.
 
Reins and Manes on right. This leaves the left side 'clear' for viewing conformation etc in the ring. Spare rein on inside never over contact. Sidesaddle is the exception when normally rider sits to left and reins same side to show off the clean right side.
 
Im right handed and reins under and left side.

mums a lefty (as are rest of my family wierdly enough) and has hers under and to right looking at pictures.

dad was a lefty, had his under and to left aswell.

agree with the sword thing being the reason traditionally, and we dont switch the side the reins are on when we show
 
Surely if the sword/lance argument is right, then ladies should have the reins to the right hand side, thus avoiding getting the long side saddle reins caught round the foot on the leg round the leaping head?
I am ambidextrous, sister is right handed, we both have the reins on the right, under the hand, we think we must have been taught to have the reins to the right. We have anywhip/stick on the inside in a school and on the outside in a field or similar. Have stick in right hand on the road.
 
Left and under for me. Can't stand it on the other side. Whip I find more comfy in my right hand. I'm a bit odd though possibly as I am right handed except when it comes to using a knife and fork...!
 
Azmar said:
Reins and Manes on right. This leaves the left side 'clear' for viewing conformation etc in the ring. Spare rein on inside never over contact. Sidesaddle is the exception when normally rider sits to left and reins same side to show off the clean right side.
Click to expand...

I'd disagree with this - enter the rind and turn left - go clockwise. Reins on the left so not in view to the judge at this stage. Cane in right hand. :)
 
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