Double reins on a snaffle??

Question

I just bought a Stubben saddle set that came with double reins attached to a snaffle bit. Why would they sell it like this, am I missing something?

Also, do you guy know what a "split brow" bridle is? Thanks.

Answer 1

Ahem. I use a snaffle with split(double reins) pretty much all the time. Its a western thing training thing. A single rein is like driving an automatic car, where as split rein is like driving a standard. More complicated for some people but for others the only way to go.

Answer 2

A snaffle is a single rein bit.  Are you sure it is a snaffle and not a kimberwick?  If you could take a picture of the bit, and or bridle that would help in answering your question.  

Answer 3

Double reins in a snaffle does not make any sense.  Did this all come as a package?  Because maybe they included a snaffle, but included double reins in case you wanted to use another bit which you'd provide on your own.

PS I think what Kevin is talking about is not a snaffle, but what many western riders (and catalog manufacturers) mistakenly call a snaffle, ie, a shank bit with a jointed mouthpiece, and in his case, with a loop where reins can be attached as direct reins, and the other rein attachment at the end of the shanks, where the reins are usually attatched, and use leverage .  It makes absolutely no sense to attach two sets of reins to a (real) snaffle.  They'd simply be redundant.

Answer 4

I think Kevin has confused western split reins (one rein to each side of the bit without them being connected together) with english double reins (two complete sets of reins).

I'm not the one who gave him a thumbs down!

I think you just got a strange package which could be used as a double bridle, but they threw a snaffle in instead.

I'm not sure about a "split brow" bridle, but I have a Stubben bridle with what I would think of as a split crown bridle, if anything.  Its crown piece is not one piece with the splits at the end for the cheek pieces and throat latch, like normal.  The throat latch is it's own piece of leather, which goes all the way around on it's own, through one loop of the brow band, then the cheek pieces connect between the ears and go through another loop on the browband (right next to the throat latch loop, keeping the same distance as a normal bridle).  This can be a nice look because you end up without any buckles on the cheek pieces by the horse's face (or just one on one side).   Actually I have two bridles like this and one connects the cheek pieces together between the ears, and one has one long cheek piece and one short one and they connect on the left side (that's the Stubben).

Answer 5

It's actually very convenient to get a double rein set as part of a saddle - wish it had been me! I would say for if you choose to go with a double bridle, one set for the snaffle and the other for the weymouth. Or, should you choose to use a pelham, you already have two sets of reins. There's no reason for two reins and a snaffle, as you already know. Have no idea why they would sell it like that