Two reins?

kansess · 06-22-2008, 09:03 AM

I have seen dressage riders using two reins, one on the top of the bit and one on the bottem. Why are two reins used? What's its purpose?

like these pictures

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockand...ses/635147265/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlaw/1096578719/

http://www.best-horse-photos.com/images/Dressage.jpg

Lindsayanne · 06-22-2008, 09:13 AM

Well, to make a simple analogy it's a little like how, when you start driving a car, you learn on an automatic transmission, no gear shifting, the car takes care of it for you and it's relatively easy to drive.

But as you became a better driver, or wanted to drive a super-high performance vehicle, you'd likely learn to use a standard transmission- because even though it's more complicated, you can more precisely control how the vehicle drives.

That's sort of similar to why you see some riders (mostly professional-level riders on upper level horses) riding with two reins. Their rein cues are so subtle and specific, and their horses are trained so sensitively, that they carry two reins- and two seperate bits- to be able to communicate the cues needed to execute the upper level movements that require such precise control.

fozzie · 06-22-2008, 01:44 PM

On a double bridle the bridoon rein acts as a snaffle, and should be used as such, the curb rein is quite severe, and acts on the corners of the mouth, the bars, tongue, poll and curb groove, this action lowers the head. Too much pressure on the curb rein can cause overbending. The curb rein should only be used when needed.

06-22-2008, 09:03 AM	#1
kansess Full Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chino Hills, California Posts: 82	Two reins? I have seen dressage riders using two reins, one on the top of the bit and one on the bottem. Why are two reins used? What's its purpose? like these pictures http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockand...ses/635147265/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlaw/1096578719/ http://www.best-horse-photos.com/images/Dressage.jpg __________________ The.worst.day.of.riding.is.better.than.the.best.da y.of.work. ~dare to be different

06-22-2008, 09:13 AM	#2
Lindsayanne Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joplin, MO Posts: 9,537 Images: 372	Well, to make a simple analogy it's a little like how, when you start driving a car, you learn on an automatic transmission, no gear shifting, the car takes care of it for you and it's relatively easy to drive. But as you became a better driver, or wanted to drive a super-high performance vehicle, you'd likely learn to use a standard transmission- because even though it's more complicated, you can more precisely control how the vehicle drives. That's sort of similar to why you see some riders (mostly professional-level riders on upper level horses) riding with two reins. Their rein cues are so subtle and specific, and their horses are trained so sensitively, that they carry two reins- and two seperate bits- to be able to communicate the cues needed to execute the upper level movements that require such precise control. __________________ Bashkir Curly Poster Child NE Prime Time Regal - 2006 ABCR National Champion & 2008 Breyerfest Demo Horse HAVE YOU SEEN MY STOLEN PONY EXPRESS HORSE TRAILER?*

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06-22-2008, 01:44 PM	#3
fozzie Full Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: South Yorkshire, England Posts: 76 Images: 2	On a double bridle the bridoon rein acts as a snaffle, and should be used as such, the curb rein is quite severe, and acts on the corners of the mouth, the bars, tongue, poll and curb groove, this action lowers the head. Too much pressure on the curb rein can cause overbending. The curb rein should only be used when needed.