Double reins!!!

[mustangrider]

I have ordered a bridle for my Paso with a double rein set up. I now need to know what the individual reins are for and how to use them. Can you please give me tips and suggestions? It is a bitless set up that I am having custom made for my guy. It is basically a rope halter with extra knots on the extra wide nose band with rings at the side of the nose and it has lower loops under the chin for another set of reins.

It closely matches the bosal/curb typically used for pasos.

If y'all help me,I promis I will post pics of this new contraption. It should be quite attractive. I just need to get it and figure out how to use it...LOLOLOL.

(My paso is great to ride. I have ridden him out on trail 5 times in the last week or so. He didn't bolt when the deer ran off through the woods. He enjoys going forward and moves out easily. He is picking up his feet more and more as he gains the strength. I mean he is getting more and more coordinated and not tripping or stumbling as often. After about 20 mins or so, he get winded and we go take a bath and cool off. He is great. Thank you to every one for giving me confidence to just do it.!!!)

[Mo.D]

I am really so excited for the two of you!! I'm tickled to hear that you're riding him out on the trail and he's working out so well for you :-)!! Your paso friend,Mo

[Soltera]

There was a great thread about a year ago concerning the holding and use of double reins, but I haven't found it yet. We all even submitted pictures of us holding reins.....

[mustangrider]

Yes I have seen many pictures, but I do not understand what I see. I was hoping someone could explain what the reins attached to the bosal do and what the reins on the curb do. I know one is for steering and lateral flexion and the other is for vertical flexion and head elevation.

Can someone please explain this to me...I am lost. Thank you...I can see all of the pictures, but I still do not understand.

Please help me.

[motorgypsy]

CindyG and others can answer with more authority than I can but in the paso fino training I've watched the double reins are used simply as a transition from bosal/jacquima to bit. So when the paso fino is first bitted the bosal set of reins is used with the most pressure and the bit, with less until the horse figures out which cues from the bit correspond to the cues from the bosal. But remember paso fino trainers usually don't bit a paso fino until it is pretty much finished and either self collects or in some cases is accustomed to a certain amount of pressure all the time.

The ones I've watched train teach a horse to self collect and do use some light leg cues as well as seat/body cues but I've ridden horses trained by well known trainers that were trained to be heavily on the bit and no leg cues at all were used - only seat/body cues. But the horse is well trained before any of them put a bit in their mouths. And that first one many times is the curved rubber mouthed shank bit with bit guards and independent shanks. I've seen far more paso finos trained to self collect than ones trained to be on the bit.

Any of the show paso fino bit sets come with the halter with pisador and a separate bit hanger also. A very handy piece of tack. And some of those halter sets have the double rings on the bottom of them for another set of reins.

[CarolU]

You actually use them earlier in the training then just the transition to bit phase. The side reins are for turning and lateral flexion very similar to a side pull. The bottom set for stopping and starting collection. You shouldn't keep constant pressure on any of them. I use mine with the top reins on top and the bottom reins through the hand. It's easy to turn to the side then, and just a rocking of the hand forward engages the bottom rein.

[mustangrider]

I do believe your comments are helping me a lot. Than you very much. I never intend to bit him up, unless he needs it. I would have to find a bit he likes. We have been doing a lot of trail riding with just a rope halter. I am supposed to be getting a new bridle for him soon with a double rein set up. From what y'all have told me, I think I have it figured out now. Thank you very much. I know most of it will be wait and see. I tend to figure things out very well. He is already moving better and carrying himself more correctly.

In the beginning he was carrying himself hollowed out and strung out on the hind end. He is now able to carry my weight and move in a more correct frame. Yes, I am learning also. By watching our videos made at least 2 x week, I am correcting myself and improving my interaction and cues with him. It has been extremely helpful.

I took him out on trail today. It was very hard to get him to go home. I think he enjoyed being out on trail. He didn't want to come home...neither did I. He just wanted to keep going....Weird.

Did I mention he was smooth!!!! Wow, I love this guy.

[motorgypsy]

Sounds like my kind of horse!

The paso fino trainers I've watched only used the rings on the bottom, not the side rings but maybe the horses they wre working with didn't need anything else. They were really big on sensitivity and response to rein cues.

[mustangrider]

Dali is awesome. He is easy to work and ride. We are still learning each other. I know it is going to take time. So far, he is exactly what I needed. I am having a hard time remembering what I am supposed to do. Instead, I am focusing on how he feels when he is moving and trying not to hinder or get in his way. I am trying to move with him and help him if I think he needs it. I think it is more instictual.

I am going to take him out today. He is getting in shape and able to go out for longer periods of time. I now have a pair of trail stirrups for english leathers. They arrived last night. I will let you know how they do. I am so excited.

Thank you very much everyone.