Henry James Bridles and Reins

[Stenners]

Does anyone use these? I had a bitting specialist out today and she highly recommended Henry James Saddlery for bridles and reins. I only need a cavesson bridle at the moment. Does anyone have these? Also the reins are minefield! What reins would everyone recommend? I do a bit of everything.. hacking, schooling, jumping etc.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

The reins are lovely very good quality. I have the Bio Grip Hybrid Rubber Reins with Leather Stoppers. I often don’t wear gloves and they work very well even with sweaty hands. I use them for everything but will probably get laced reins for showing at some point.

I bought a beautiful plain cavesson bridle from English Bridles at Windsor recently. Would definitely recommend.

 

[YoLaTango]

I have one. It’s lovely and seems v comfy.

 

[Stenners]

I have one. It’s lovely and seems v comfy.

What bridle do you have?

 

[Stenners]

The reins are lovely very good quality. I have the Bio Grip Hybrid Rubber Reins with Leather Stoppers. I often don’t wear gloves and they work very well even with sweaty hands. I use them for everything but will probably get laced reins for showing at some point.

I bought a beautiful plain cavesson bridle from English Bridles at Windsor recently. Would definitely recommend.

I've seen elsewhere a few people recommend these reins!

 

[YoLaTango]

Cavesson no flash. In brown. I’ve only ever bought 1 bridle. But horse seems happy and had a few comments on how smart it is and where did I get it etc.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Henry James biogrip reins with stoppers are great, their bridles less so, especially for chunky heads.

Sabre Cordoba sensitive snaffle bridles are much nicer and suit chunky heads better.

 

[Otherwise]

I have the cavesson bridle with biothane biogrip reins with stoppers. Big reason I chose it is because they had a size chart that actually listed measurements, I needed a full size head piece and reins but cob sized cheek pieces and noseband.

 

[j1ffy]

Bio Grip Hybrid Rubber Reins with Leather Stoppers

I have these reins too and they've made a huge difference to consistency of contact as I have a tendency to let my reins get longer, but the rubber + stoppers (which are quite close together) help a lot.

I have had a Fairfax bridle (belonging to my loan horse) with the reins and now an EvoEquine bridle. I would say the leather quality on the HJ reins isn't as good as those bridles, and the EvoEquine is better quality than the Fairfax but at a much smaller price tag.

 

[criso]

I've got a variation on the Eventer reins, not sure they do the exact model now and years on they haven't stretched at all and are still in great condition. Nice and flexible and not too bulky.
Also have a neck strap which is lovely. I bought both in the Black Friday sale and I think you've just missed the jubilee sale but if you're not in a hurry, keep an eye. Looking at their FB page they currently have 20% off the biogrip ones.

 

[Nudibranch]

I have the Biogrip reins with leather stoppers, they're very good. Normally I hate those kinds of reins but the HJ are excellent. I was pleasantly surprised to find my contact is pretty even! I do prefer Sabre bridles though. Plain hunter cavesson for me.

 

[dixie]

Yes I have the bridle and reins and love it.

I bought the bridle for another horse in full size and as new horse is smaller I’ve just bought smaller cheek pieces.

I had a bit specialist out recently and she also rated the bridle and said they were the best re fitting around the ears.

I’ve always found ergonomical bridles don’t actually fit very well around the ears but this is perfect

I have the cavesson noseband.

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

I love mine. Reins and bridle. My local bit fitter also recommended them though I already had one.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I love mine. Both my horses have one.
My TB has the cavesson with the air head piece and the other had the same head but the grackle noseband, however I’ve switched him to the cavesson aswell now, so need to buy another ?‍
I have the rubber reins without the leather stopper bits, I really hate the stopper type that everyone above apparently love!
The reins in general which ever your preference are really nice.

 

[Fruitcake]

I love the bridles. I have two and they're nice quality.
OH has Henry James reins too (the ones that are leather on one side and some sort of rubber on the back) but they've twisted quite badly. I can't stand riding with them as they have a sort of outward twist halfway down one rein. I'm not sure why that's happened!

 

[Dave's Mam]

I have the fine calfskin reins with the grip only on the inside. They are lovely. So soft from day 1 & great grip.

 

[Fruitcake]

I have the fine calfskin reins with the grip only on the inside. They are lovely. So soft from day 1 & great grip.

I think these are the ones OH has. They're lovely reins; the twist thing is very odd. Perhaps he got a dodgy set.

 

[Cherryblossom]

I bought mine (cavesson bridle and reins with the leather stops) after them being recommended here. I absolutely love them, and their customer service is great.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I bought mine (cavesson bridle and reins with the leather stops) after them being recommended here. I absolutely love them, and their customer service is great.

Second that. Great customer service. Also, this is neither here nor there really but beautifully packed!

 

[SantaVera]

they look good but you have to use a noseband. Do they make a headpiece that doesnt require a noseband?

 

[Xmasha]

My daughter bought one for her horse, and its lovely. Hes a full ID too, so they do fit chunky ones as well. Found them really helpful, as Finn needed wide browband but short cheek pieces. they asked for measurements and hey presto perfect fit.

 

[poiuytrewq]

they look good but you have to use a noseband. Do they make a headpiece that doesnt require a noseband?

I don’t think they do and that is a problem if you just want to quickly swap between nose bands or as you say not use one at all.

 

[dixie]

I don’t think they do and that is a problem if you just want to quickly swap between nose bands or as you say not use one at all.

I find the opposite as they are very easy to change the noseband especially whilst the bridle is still on the horse.

you could use it without a noseband but then you would have two flapping bits.
You could ask them if they would make or adapt one ?

 

[poiuytrewq]

I find the opposite as they are very easy to change the noseband especially whilst the bridle is still on the horse.

you could use it without a noseband but then you would have two flapping bits.
You could ask them if they would make or adapt one ?

Agree. But only if you have a selection of their own nose bands

 

[SantaVera]

Thanks for the relpies. I dont use nosebands at all so the extra leather on the headpiece would be in the way. Guess i'd need to ring and ask them if they'd make a specail headpiece.