3:1

[FleetwoodStarr]

Is riding with the double reins 3:1 legal for shows, what about CDIs? I would imagine that it is, but you never know nowadays...

[ideayoda]

It is legal. There was a proposal to disallow it, but that (thankfully) went down in flames. Some traditions do continue, but few still use it in competition, because few are taught it.

[Threedaydream]

What does this method of holding the reins accomplish? When would you use it?(just trying to learn)

[TMPF]

I guess I'm dumb---Could you explain what this means holding the reins 3:1:confused:

[FleetwoodStarr]

I was tought to ride in the more popular way (nowadays at least) with the curb reins split up. However, my horse really detests any contact w/ the curb, and I've never figured out how to keep the curb reins looser without constantly checking it, which I don't really have time to concentrate on while riding. For some reason holding the reins 3:1 seems to keep the curb rein at the same length (for me anyway) and the contact with my horse is more honest, because its mainly on the snaffle instead of the curb. Of course none of this would be an issue if you could just show FEI with looped curb rein or snaffle, but I KNOW thats not allowed :D:lol:

[FleetwoodStarr]

Double Post

[iownapaint]

I guess I'm dumb---Could you explain what this means holding the reins 3:1:confused:

3:1 refers to the reins in each hand. The snaffle rein is held like normal (one rein/hand) and the curb rein is held completely in one hand (both sides are held by one hand). Thus, one hand has 3 reins, the other has 1. Some people like it cause it keeps the curb rein steadier rather than having 2 hands doing different things with either side of it.

Did I explain that well?

[Fitte]

I was wondering about this recently! I ride 3:1 because I have an injury in my left hand that limits my ability to make fine manipulations with my fingers, especially my thumb.

However, I wasn't taught the proper 3:1 hold, nor was my instructor. I was trying to glean what I could from small diagrams in books. Here are my questions:

1. Does it matter which hand holds 3 reins?

2. It makes sense for the snaffle rein to be between the pinky and ring finger on each hand, where do the other two reins pass through the fingers?

3. Will the bight come out of the hand near the thumb? (I imagine it would)

4. I imagine that it would be severly frowned upon to switch between 2:2 and 3:1 in a test, or to switch between 3left:1right and 1left:3right, but is it legal? (I don't plan to do this, but I'd still like to know)

Sorry for hijacking....

[ideayoda]

There are a number of ways to hold the reins (look at Podhajsky's book and I think Knopfharts for that.

1. Traditionally the three is in the left, but that is not written in stone. The hand with the three is somewhat closer to the withers.

2. Usually the snaffle goes below the pinky, the same side curb between the ring/pinky, and then the other above that, but it can skip a finger. With the curbs close together even turning the hand (with the 3 flatter) has an influence.

3. Will the bight come out of the hand near the thumb? (yes)

(However is riding 2:2 with shultheis/fillis method, the snaffle goes over the forefinger, and the curb under the pinkys, so the bight goes up from the bottom (for the curb, and down from the top with the snaffle).....just to boggle the mind even more....)

4. I often switch from 3:1 to 2:2 during a test if it helps the horse to understand better, few if any notice it. (Have you ever noticed that many riders now have the curb on the outside and the snaffle on the inside???? Talk about severity/torque with ease....grrr)

[FleetwoodStarr]

I often switch from 3:1 to 2:2 during a test if it helps the horse to understand better, few if any notice it. (Have you ever noticed that many riders now have the curb on the outside and the snaffle on the inside???? Talk about severity/torque with ease....grrr)


Wow- talk about dexterity, I'm happy if I don't drop all of my reins during a test :lol: I don't think people realize how much power they have with the curb and tend to treat it more like a second, stronger snaffle

[not again]

Historically 3:1 let the officer on horseback be able to use his right hand to do battle and let the left hand guide the horse. In a pinch the fourth rein would go to the left hand so the officer could use his sword in the right. I've not seen that move in present-day dressage however.:lol:

[ideayoda]

All of the members of the 4 ecoles presentations used it.