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Original poster

Anyone ride horses??

28 replies

Eve · 29/07/2005 19:12

I am in process of arranging to exercise a horse (Welsh Section D) a few times a week for someone, my way of getting exercise, fresh air and some peace.

However he has double reins which I have never used before....whats the techinque?

OP posts:
Frizbe · 29/07/2005 19:15

doublereins hope this helps?

Original poster
Eve · 29/07/2005 19:18

Oh heck that look complicated!

OP posts:
Millie1 · 29/07/2005 19:20

It's easier than it looks ... as long as you hold them as shown in Frizbe's diagram, then you'll soon be flying. Enjoy ... I envy you!

fastasleep · 29/07/2005 19:20

I've used these but it was long ago I can't remember how I did it, only that it's a bit like riding a bike or knitting, once you get it you get it!

Frizbe · 29/07/2005 19:21

Have to say I've not used them myself....so good luck!

dinny · 29/07/2005 19:47

Eve, best to get someone who knows what they're doing to show you. or you could always knot the pelham rein and just use the snaffle?

lucky you, am v envious - another of my reasons for leaving London asap, not much riding!

piffle · 29/07/2005 19:51

I would tend to use the snaffle rein alone, although does he always take his day to day exercise in a DB? Where I was trained it is the quickest way to a hard mouth I was told...
It is pretty easy though it sort of comes naturally, until the day you have to hold a crop as well

Original poster
Eve · 29/07/2005 19:53

...I have been riding many years, but really only riding schools, but am really fed up with them being so restrictive on what you can & can't do and expensive..hence the agreeing to exercise.

Horse is 10 mins away frm my house, so I can get up early in the morning and instead of watching TV go for a ride or work from home a few days and go at lunchtime.

I am so looking forward to it.

(as long as I master the double reins!)

OP posts:
dinny · 29/07/2005 20:06

lucky lucky lucky you, Eve! that sounds sooooo wonderful. am literally with envy!

BadgerBadger · 30/07/2005 03:00

Is it a double bridle? Or is it a single bridle but with a double reined pelham?

If it's a double reined pelham, roundings can be useful, but they're not suitalbe for a double bridle.

OTOH a double bridle isn't hard to master and useful to learn. Subtlety is the key I think, as the poll and particularly the curb action on the pelham can be quite severe (great brakes though ).

If you haven't fitted a double bridle before, will the owners be there to help you initially?

piffle · 01/08/2005 11:07

I used to do x country with my pony on a pelham with roundings, precisely for the... brakes, to prevent the... breaks...
Could show jump and dressage (you are allowed with ponies!) in a snaffle though
Eve I am also very jealous...

pixel · 05/08/2005 23:22

I haven't used two reins for many years but I think you will find it easiest if you pick up your snaffle rein as normal first, and then pick up the curb rein as per Frizbe's diagram. After a while you will be able to pick them both up together without thinking about it. It may be a good idea to only have a light contact on the curb until you get used to it. Also make sure that you twist the curb chain so that it is flat against the horse's chin groove before you hook it up, otherwise he may play you up due to being uncomfortable. It's not as difficult as it sounds, honest! I hope you have a great time.

Just a thought, as you say you have been going to a riding school, maybe asking for a lesson in using a double bridle would put your mind at rest?

Original poster
Eve · 08/08/2005 21:28

... haven't gone on this horse yet, the owner keeps cancelling.

However, I phoned today about a request for an 8.2 shetland for share in the New forest for my boys...completly bombproof, has taught loads of children!

Whilst on the phone the owner was saying she only wants to let someone trustworthy ride him as she is fed up being mucked around by others. I explained how I was being mucked around and she has offered me her sons horse to ride as he doesn't have time.

He is a 15.3 Arab/quarter horse cross, snaffle mouth but needs a confident rider as he can be a little spooky.

Best bit is thats it in the New Forset, no roads, just miles and miles of forest. Once my DS's get the hang of what they are doing we can go riding together.

Going to see them both tomorrow morning, I'm very excited.!

OP posts:
nannyjo · 08/08/2005 21:33

i ride but have never heard of double reins, what are they used for instead of usual type??

Original poster
Eve · 08/08/2005 21:41

double reins are used for brakes usually on strong forward horses.

OP posts:
pixel · 08/08/2005 23:33

Also gives more subtle control for things like dressage and showing. The 'lever' effect of the curb chain on the chin and poll encourages a well-trained horse to lower his head and relax his jaw, hopefully making him a more sensitive and balanced ride.

pixel · 08/08/2005 23:50

Eve, sounds like you've struck lucky! Riding in the New Forest, how wonderful, you've got me all jealous now! The shetland sounds sweet, I hope your boys have a great time. My daughter rides a friend's shetland but she is really a driving pony so a bit too lively for off the lead rein. She's too used to tearing along but is perfect in traffic!

Good luck for tomorrow, I'm not surprised you're excited.

Original poster
Eve · 29/08/2005 19:27

back from hols this week and went riding on the new horse 3 times this weekend. Hes a 6yr old, very calm thoroughbred/quarter horse cross.

Just went hacking in the forest and had a bit of a canter. Was out at 8am Sun & Mon mornings, lovely and quiet, no-one around and saw 5 deer running across the moore!

Children were on Shetland on Sat, typical Shetland, tries to bite your bum when tacking up! They loved it, within 1/2 hr my eldest was off the lead rein and trotting. Youngest just loved it and give him a hug when going.

I feel very lucky!

OP posts:
nikkie · 29/08/2005 22:13

Oh I am so jealous!
I haven't rode regularly since I got pregnant with dd1, my horse died 2 y ago after being lame for 5 years so i am very rusty now!
I used to ride a friends horse in a double for competing(dressage).
I really miss competing

nannyjo · 29/08/2005 22:17

i ride with a friend every week on her horses, one of which is my surrogote horse now when i turn up to see my one, she neighs like mad till i get to her to say hello. today was fantastic cos we gave them a bath!!! it was amazing we spent two hours cleaning and grooming them and giving them lots of TLC, after they looked lovely.

I love that closeness you get and the trust in each other with such a big strong animal.

mmmmchocolate · 29/08/2005 22:18

i am jealous, haven't ridden since falling pregnant with dd1. I am gonna look for a pony to share now........... miss my ponies!

Skribble · 30/08/2005 23:37

I've seen adverts locally looking for people to excersise horses, is there money involved anywhere? I love riding but can't really afford the costs of lessons or hacks. I've also seen horses for loan, whats the usual arrangement for this, what responsibilities are there?

pixel · 31/08/2005 21:22

I'm glad it all worked out so well for you Eve. I managed to go riding a couple of times on holiday(Exmoor) and it was absolute bliss, I really knew what I'd been missing. I could have ridden my friend's Highland pony this summer but they had strangles at their yard and the whole place is in quarantine. I didn't want to take it home to my old pony either so just kept away. Typical!

Skribble, the usual arrangement with a full loan is that you have all the expenses of the horse except for actually buying it.You treat it as your own and are responsible for it's welfare. You may be able to have a part loan where you pay a contribution towards keep for a certain amount of riding a week. Or you may be lucky and find someone who will give you free riding in return for mucking out etc. It can work out very well. One horse we had on part loan was eventually given to us and we had him for 20 years! He was fantastic, a real horse of a lifetime but his owner knew that we would look after him and never sell him on which was more important to her than money.

Skribble · 01/09/2005 00:00

Thanks Pixel I had a suspicion there would be mucking out involved somewhere, I'm afraid I don't have the time or the will to muck out, just want to go riding a few times a week.

pixel · 01/09/2005 12:49

There's always a chance you could find a horse owner who just wants someone reliable to keep their horse fit. For example, someone who is pregnant or has a young baby. I know when I had dd I was still carting haybales and water buckets up to the last minute, just didn't want to risk the actual riding. I was lucky and had my family to help but I can see that if I had been on my own in that situation I would have appreciated someone who already knew my horse as emergency back-up. There are also people who are at boarding school and need their animals kept fit in term-time so that they can have fun in the holidays. Not sure how you'd find someone like that though, and it might only be short term. The thing is, once you get a reputation for being reliable and get to know people you tend to get offered more rides anyway. The hard bit is getting started if you haven't got any 'horsy' friends. I suppose if you see any more adverts in the future for horses that need exercise, you've nothing to lose in ringing up to find out the situation!

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