Comments on: Choosing Reins

By: Heads Up Horsemanship – America’s Horse Daily

Heads Up Horsemanship – America’s Horse Daily — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 10:02:48 +0000

[...] a soft, natural bend in your elbow. A soft bend puts your hands in the right position, with your rein hand softly guiding your horse and your other hand in a good position to take hold of your horse if [...]

By: Sydney Ricketts

Sydney Ricketts — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:47:48 +0000

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

By: Top 10 Tack Tips – America’s Horse Daily

Top 10 Tack Tips – America’s Horse Daily — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:02:05 +0000

[...] 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 [...]

By: Cut Out for Cutting? Part 1 – America’s Horse Daily

Cut Out for Cutting? Part 1 – America’s Horse Daily — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:53:12 +0000

[...] 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 [...]

By: Managing Fear – America’s Horse Daily

Managing Fear – America’s Horse Daily — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:25:31 +0000

[...] rhythm of your horse’s footfalls. Look at the trees outside your ring. Feel the texture of the reins. Smell the fly [...]

By: TW Lewis

TW Lewis — Fri, 08 May 2009 00:26:42 +0000

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

By: Lonnie Antal

Lonnie Antal — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 02:53:20 +0000

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?