Do different reins affect the horse's way of going?

sidesaddlegirl

sidesaddlegirl

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I've wondered this as I notice a difference between Hattie's way of going when I use my rubber reins and when I use my laced or plain reins.

I find with the rubber reins, she doesn't like going into an outline and tends to be stiff and be heavy on the bit. I thought it was maybe my crap riding but thinking back to how she was this spring and summer when I switched over to using plain reins, she became softer and not so heavy on the forehand as she was able to use her back (I was using plain reins in my avatar photo which was taken in June).

Then tonight when I went for my walk around the school, I swapped over from my rubber to my laced reins as an experiment and she was instantly softer and went into an outline with me hardly doing anything but making her walk forward and keeping a light contact on the reins. Whereas before, all this month since I started back riding, she's bit heavy on the bit, on the forehand, ignoring me...

I like using rubber reins as they are thick and comfy for my arthritic hands but I wonder if they affect my riding as maybe I grip too much with them and then it makes her stiff if that makes sense?
I wonder if because I am physically unable to grip too hard on the narrow leather reins, that my hands become softer for her and then she is able to do her job?

I always use the same bit, a french link full cheek.

Has anyone else found a difference with different types of reins?
 
I used rubber reins on my horse when we first started ridden work and he was awful. Now have webbing reins (totally by accident as they came with the bridle) and I've found work with him really easy now.
 
I wouldn't be at all surprised if you ride completely differently with different reins. I find I tend to grip rubber reins quite hard whereas with my lace reins I am a bit softer. Don't know why though.

I think it is the reins affecting your riding and consequently affecting your horse's way of going. It's an interesting thought isn't it? Just one more thing we need to worry about.

It's not good enough to just have well fitting tack you have to have the right reins too. Aghh. I wonder if stirrup leathers make a difference too :D
 
I don't like rubber reins - I find they seem to deaden the feel I get, somehow. I used to keep a spare set of webbing reins aside and swap the rubber reins for them when I was riding Taz.

Wouldn't be surprised if that lack of sensitivity doesn't cut both ways.
 
hum i'm going to experiment and swap to my leather ones and see what happens. Definately food for thought. I think, thinking back Indie goes better in the rubber ones but then i'm very light in my contact (think sometimes non existent) so perhaps the rubber helps me?
 
OP, have you thought about doing something like wrapping soft sponges around your reins to hold onto? It is something we did for the RDA children that found it hard to grip thin reins. Perhaps this might help you to be more comfortable? Just a thought:o:)
 
A tuely interesting point! If one is riding lightly there is a different weight of rein hanging ,and also ,how much does our grip of a larger rein affect the muscle tension in our arms and hands. I coach pistol shooting and trigger weight and grip strength are crucial factors. A very interesting post!
 
I swopped from very thin flimsy leather reins to rubber ones because i found that i could get a more consistent contact from the rubber ones. He responds much better to rubber reins and doesn't trot around with his ears up my nostrils so much. Also when we're riding out/ get spooked and he shoots off i can stop him more easily.

ETA my favourite reins to ride in are those thick but lightweight webbing ones with the little leather grips/bands along them, are they racing reins/ jumping reins or something?
 
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Its funny how we all like different reins as riders too.

I only ride in laced reins, I really dont like other ones! I find the rubber ones are too thick, and my hands feel stuck, and those nasty webbing ones are too thin and the horrible little bands always get in the way! :o

In dont mind plain reins so much, even nylon ones from a sythetic western bridle, or odd lead ropes dont bother me.... by webbed and rubber reins do !:o:o
 
This is all very interesting and I'm glad it isn't all in my head! I'm going to stick with leather reins and see how we get on with that through the winter. I only swapped to the rubber ones for winter as when it's cold, that's when my joints hurt. When we had that blazing heat in June, I was able to use my thin plain reins (which Hattie went wonderfully in) but I will stick with the laced ones in winter and try the sponge trick for schooling.
 
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