pyrgirl
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Holding the reinsWhat is the correct way to hold the reins in your hands?
Anyone have a picture or diagram?
Also, do you drive with loose reins or with continuous contact?
If you use continuous contact, what kind of bit is best?
The snaffle seems to work well for us, but it is meant to be used with only one rein at a time and not continuous contact. If you use continuous contact with a snaffle, it causes it to work like a nutcracker in the horse's mouth. I like the snaffle, though.
Moriah seems to like the French link better especially when I use contact.
Anyway - what does everyone else use?
Anyone heard from Sher lately?
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Crocker's Critters
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There are some pretty complicated methods of holding reins, for singles and teams, but I like to keep it simple. 
I hold the reins between my index and middle fingers, letting the reins fall "into" my hands, with a string attatched to the "bite", and held with my little finger. I lent my Doris Ganton book, or I would scan a picture for you, as that is how she prefers them held, as well.
This way, I can "oh-so-softly", open and close my fingers to take and release pressure.
I drive the same way as I rode English...keeping just that tiny measure of contact...that way, when I want to deliver a "message" to the horse, there is no "surprise" tug. The best way to get the feel, of the reins (always hold the whip as well) is to make yourself a rein-board. With the regular sized horses, I would use a couple of horseshoes as weight (about 2-4 ounces), but with the minis, as I want less pressure, I have used anything I could attatch to the ends with no more than an ounce of weight. I have even used pill bottles with a bit of sand in them, taped to the rein-board ends.  
As for the bit you are using, you are so very correct...the single broken mouthpiece is potentially a severe driving bit...the nutcracker action, and the potential for stabbing the roof of the horse's mouth, makes it a bit I avoid. I love-love-love the french link bits...did I mention that I really like french link bits?  I also am having great success with horses liking and responding well, to the mylar-type bits. (I "cheat" and buy the "Kelly" re-pos.)
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pyrgirl
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| Crocker's Critters wrote: | I lent my Doris Ganton book,
What is the title of the book - maybe I can order it.
I drive the same way as I rode English...keeping just that tiny measure of contact...
OK, I can do that.
The best way to get the feel, of the reins (always hold the whip as well) is to make yourself a rein-board.
Can you describe a rein board more? And what is the purpose of the whip? and how do you hold it?
I love-love-love the french link bits...did I mention that I really like french link bits? I also am having great success with horses liking and responding well, to the mylar-type bits. (I "cheat" and buy the "Kelly" re-pos.)
where do you buy your bits? What French link do you have?
I think a Mylar bit would be a hit with my horses, too - I'll look into it some more. |
Thanks Thanks Thanks for the help! 
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littlestep
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McBunz
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Well I am a bank of knowledge... LoL...... yah hold one in each hand...
There you know everything I know about it now... 
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littlestep
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I believe there is a "overcrip" and a "undercrip" Right crockers???
Oh and don't hold the whip between the teeth..like me!!
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Crocker's Critters
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I do know a couple of guys who hold from under, (undergrip) and the lines come up through the top of the hand. I see some of that in the "Journal" as well, and to tell you the truth, I wince when I see reins held that way. You've heard the term, "ham-fisted", or "heavy-handed"? Well...that is what comes to my mind when I see it. How one can hold reins that way and have any softness or feel for the horse's mouth is beyond me. Sorry, if that is how some of you, or yours drive...it is just my thoughts on the matter. Heaven knows...I have been wrong many times before, and will be many times again...
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pyrgirl
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| Crocker's Critters wrote: | | I do know a couple of guys who hold from under, (undergrip) and the lines come up through the top of the hand. I see some of that in the "Journal" as well, and to tell you the truth, I wince when I see reins held that way. |
What is the "Journal?"
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Carlson
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| pyrgirl wrote: | | Crocker's Critters wrote: | | I do know a couple of guys who hold from under, (undergrip) and the lines come up through the top of the hand. I see some of that in the "Journal" as well, and to tell you the truth, I wince when I see reins held that way. |
What is the "Journal?" |
Patty the Journal is the AMHR magazine.
Pat
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Crocker's Critters
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The Journal is the AMHR mini horse publication.
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