Choosing Reins
January 5, 2009
Reins are your connection to the horse, so choose them wisely.
Dennis demonstrates breaking in your leather reins.
By expert tack maker Dennis Moreland
When you’re riding, many of your signals to your horse go through the bridle reins.
You want that to be a clear channel of communication.
If the bridle reins are so lightweight that they feel like a dish rag, your horse may have trouble knowing what you want.
You want those reins to have some body, some “feel” to them.
You want a dense piece of leather with tight fibers.
Aside from the quality of the leather, you’ve got a lot of other choices when it comes to reins on a western bridle.
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- Split reins come in a variety of widths, usually 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch, 3/4 inch and 1 inch, and it boils down to personal preference. The 1/2-inch reins might be perfect for someone with small hands, while someone with larger hands might want the 3/4-inch reins. The 5/8-inch reins are probably the most popular ones, since they’re middle of the road. For most people, 1-inch reins are too much to hold in one hand. They might be just right if you’re riding with a snaffle bit, using two hands.
- Roping reins are one continuous piece of tack, and they’re typically used by ropers or people racing in speed events. They’re also good for kids so they don’t drop a rein. Roping reins are usually either ½- or 5/8-inch wide, and they frequently have snaps on the ends that allow you to hook and unhook them to the bit easily. Some may have buckles that let you adjust the length.
- A lot of times, when you get a brand-new pair of reins, they’ll be stiffer than you want to ride with. But that’s easy to fix. Spray them down with liquid saddle soap, and then wrap them around a round piece of pipe (avoid angle iron with sharp corners). Pull the reins back and forth around the pipe, and that will help break the reins in and get them to where they’re comfortable in your hands.
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6 Comments on “Choosing Reins”
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April 24th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
I currently ride with cotton roping reins that I love; however, my horse sometimes needs a little ‘encouragement’. I prefer to use spurs for laterlal work, and since impulsion comes from behind it is preferable to have the ‘encouragement’ come from behind. Not wanting to carry a crop, I’m thinking a mecate might solve the problem – still get my roping rein (with the added benefit of getting a little more weight from slobber straps) AND being able to use the leather popper when I need it. Any thoughts? suggestions?
May 7th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
The Mecate or McCarthy rein is a old school favorite, the rein is stiffer and bristly so it helps with neck reining and the best part for some waddies is the free running end is tucked up under the belt so when you dismount or come off you can keep the horse from running off from you which is why it was used by actual cowboys and ranchers out away from civilization. It may not provide much benifit though in roping or speed events. You may consider attaching a short weight chain between your existing reins and the bit for just an added bit of weight for signals. This would be in place of the slobber straps and you can still use a curb bit instead of a snaffle/mecate sit up. good luck
January 25th, 2010 at 10:25 am
[...] rhythm of your horse’s footfalls. Look at the trees outside your ring. Feel the texture of the reins. Smell the fly [...]
April 20th, 2010 at 9:53 am
[...] rock your hips back a little bit. Just barely pick up your hand. When I say stop, just elevate your rein hand softly, but push straight down on your hand that’s on top of the horn. That’ll let your [...]
July 26th, 2010 at 4:02 am
[...] tie a horse by the reins. If the horse decides to set back while tied, the reins will likely break. If you have to tie your [...]
July 27th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Hi, I have a little paint horse that I’m working on with neck reining and I really like using the continuous reins but I need to use split reins for showing. I like using the split reins when they are assembled as if I am direct reining, I don’t really like using split reins when they are assembled for neck reining… If that makes sense..So, I would really appreciate if you could give me some tips on neck reining. Thanks