Double Reins .... Three And One

[TashaKat]

I think that's what I was told

I was having a conversation with someone recently who talked about the 'three and one' (?) way of holding the reins.  From her description you have the left snaffle rein and the two curb reins in the left hand and the right snaffle rein in the other.  

Has anyone come across this and how and why would it work?  Oh, and how the heck could you hold three reins in one hand?  :blink:

I got the impression that it was from 'Classical' dressage but can't think that I've come across it before

Ta

[ros]

I think that's how the Spanish Riding School hold the reins - correct me if I'm wrong, someone?  As for the concept behind it, I'd like to know too    

[stranger]

Hardly anyone rides with both curb reins in the left hand anymore. That's a pity, because the role of the curb becomes very clear in that position. A curb bit cannot be used one-sidedly. A pull on the left rein is felt as an equal pressure around the lower jaw, unless it is so harsh that it actually pulls the head to one side.

Having both curb reins in the left hand disallowes the rider from

* moving the left hand more than just a tad
* having the left hand far away from the centerline of the horse byriding with wide hands and
* hiding the fact the the horse goes crooked,   by adjusting the reins with differing pressure.


Traditional 3+1 hold of the reins.The curb rein is adjusted so that it sets in when the horse lifts his head above the bit. The use of the bridoon, by turning the knuckles inward, has very little effect on such a loosely adjusted curb rein, so this rein aid, signalling bend or position can be done without influencing the curb. But bigger hand movements, such as needed for sawing, cannot be made without it influencing the horse negatively, blocking the head, poll and neck.

Three and one is not really for competing--but its a marvellous way to get a trained -or parti-trained horse to go perfectly 'straight' under you. You have to bring your right hand--which holds the single snaffle rein up and over the horses wither-to counteract the slight indirect aid from the right hand curb rein on the horses neck. Its like its in the middle of you both and you drive the horse into it. You also need to be sitting absolutely square--but if you can ge there then it gives you the most wonderful feeling of control without actually seeming to be doing much. And you use your seatbones and legs to do everything else.



To ride holding the reins 3+1 can tell you alot about the crookedness still left in the horse, since you cannot adjust for it unknowingly or inadvertantly.

[OlavS]

Alois Podhajsky describes the three correct ways (2+2, 3+1 or 4+0) of holding double reins in his book "The complete tranining of horse and rider". He was head of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna and should know....

As it happens, though, I can't remember what he said about holding the reins 3+1, as I don't use double reins and there was enough other information to digest :blink:  But I can check this evening Mind, I've never seen anyone ride like this, including in the SRS video.

oops, cross posted with Stranger...who actually knew the answer :lol: