l have bought a pelam bit for my mare. l was wondering if l could use Two sets of ordinary reins

by that l mean my usual reins on the top rings and my other reins on the smaller rings

or do l need a certain kind of reins

Yeah. l ride a horse with a pelham and l use leather reins on top and rubber on the bottom. If both reins are leather, it might get confusing on which rein is which, but there is no problem with using them.

l dont see why you would need special reins especially if your just riding around not in a competition.

You can use your reins like that but if you dont want the trouble of using two you can use roundings which join one set of reins to both rings having the same effect but less to do with your hands

http://forestviewequestrian.com/ekmps/shops/forestview/images/pelhamroundings_lrg.jpg

It is probably easier for u to get a set of curb reins. They r flat & not very bulky in ur hand. l do not see how using a regular set of reins on the curb ring of the bit would be a problem, just make sure u do not get confused. Pulling on the curb rein when u mean to pull the snaffle rein could be really hard on ur mare is mouth. l also wonder if the regular rein will fit on the curb ring of the bit. As for any bit, make sure u know how to use ur pelhelm before u ride in it. If u do not know how to use it, get a trainer or a friend who has used the bit before to help you, or u can get a connecter to attach ur snaffle rein to. It pulls both the snaffle & the curb rein so that less experienced pelhelm users do not have to worry about double reins. Hope this helps.

Yes, there is a difference in the reins for a Pelham. The top rein is the thicker rein & will usually have a buckle on it since that is where u would normally run ur martingale through. It is considered the snaffle rein of the bit since it direct with the mouth.

The bottom rein which is the curb rein would be thinner & the ends stitched. The reason why they r different is so u can feel the difference when making adjustments to the reins. The main rein or the one that should have the most pressure is the top & the bottom is used for leverage or tuck & collection.

Some people use a laced rein for the top ring or the snaffle again for feel & grip. Usually the bottom or curb will be smooth. Some people use a converter for this bit that attaches to the two bit rings & then makes it a single rein bit.

For schooling or everyday use u can use whatever u like but there really is ''proper'' way.

You do not need to get the curb reins. It is a bit easier, but using reins that are laced and are not laced is simple enough. Just make sure they are not the same type of rein, because then it gets confusing.

You can use it with 2 sets of standard reins ( but u need them to be the same length)
The main reason why special reins r used is the bulk - the lower (Curb) rein is usually a stitched rein ( ie. not buckled together at the end) & thinner than a standard rein.
You could even use two sets of rubber grip reins if u had to - but it would be clumsy & awkward. It is just that u would be more comfortable without all that bulk in ur hands - it gets in the way of efficient communication.

Yes, a Pelham bit is meant to be used with two sets of reins. It is typical to use slightly different reins for the sets so that you can tell them apart by feel. However, this is not required.

As you learn to use double reins, please work with your trainer so that you learn properly.

technically u should have narrow, normal leather reins on the curb & rubber/plaited/ladder reins on top - until u get in a show ring it does not matter what u use for ur snaffle reins (once in the ring u should have some form of braided ones l suggest) but l do suggest having a slightly different type of rein than just regular leather ones which r exactly the same as the curb reins - apart from anything else it will get far too easy to muddle them & therefore accidentally hold them incorrectly or twist them up if u have 2 sets of reins the same.

Yep just use normal reins. Some people at first start with different reins (say leather on top, or what ever they're used to using, and cotton reins or rubber reins on the bottom) just so they do not get confused.
So yeah just normal reins.

no, you can use your normal reins. that is what l use.

Yes, l do all the time, although l use thinner reins as the curb rein or it gets to be a bit of a handful!! l hate roundings as it defeats the purpose of using a pelham.

well if u r not competing then any reins will do. l like to use a rubber top rein & laced leather bottom rein as all my show horses r ridden in a pelham/ double bridle & they r mostly snaffle mouthed so l do not need to much curb rein. On my little cob that pulls like a tank l use a rubber rein on top & a bottom rein that has leather loops around it all the way up so l can grip it better. l use fairly narrow reins as otherwise with a whip it can get slightly bulky. If u decide to show in the pelham then l would suggest either some plain leather reins, or a rubber rein on top if preferred.

If your hands are big enough then you could use ordinary reins, but it is easier to distinguish between the reins if you had a thinner pair for the curb rein. Less pressure is needed on this.

l prefered to ride with two reins because then the curb was only brought into play when really necessary.