Reins for hacking

[Skib]

Can we update the threads on reins?
Please suggest some nice reins for an o.a.p. hacker riding in a snaffle.. I am completely bewildered by the choice.
For some years I shared a horse whose bridle was Sabre but Sabre and Albion websites defeat me.

Although I have expensive tastes and like nice tack, I have ridden for years on RS horses paying little attention to the reins, most of which are leather with rubber where one's hands go.
My hands are small (gloves seven and a half) and I dont want any double thickness or uneveness between my fingers.
I want sensitive contact and to be able to shorten or lengthen the reins easily.
I am not racing anyone and my current share does not get excited - her canter is the same heading outwards and towards home.
And when she has spooked, she has not charged off. But I have not found reins a problem when being run away with in the past. Nor ever bridged my reins.

 

[Lipglosspukka]

I didn't think there were posh reins.

I thought they were either rubber (the best), plaited which are god awful or just plain leather which gets too slippy in the wet.

Posh reins. How delightful.

 

[milliepops]

I hate rubber reins. I have smallish hands too and don't like the thickness of them. My preference is leather continental reins with stoppers every 3". I get them from Sabre and the last 2 pairs have been made bespoke in pony length

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I always hack in good quality continental reins. I jump and xc in them too.
Flat and showing I'd use laced or plaited leather reins.
Always worth spending on decent ones and decent gloves too, I never ride without those either.

I cannot abide rubber reins of any sort.

 

[dorsetladette]

I ride in half rubber reins as I fine full rubber to bulky in my hands. I think mine are shires, but I bought them so long ago I could be wrong.

 

[pistolpete]

Really thin leather reins that are super well oiled. Like curb rein thickness or really old continental reins. Bought new ones and they were so stiff! Half rubber third choice!

 

[rabatsa]

I like the Equus eventa reins.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

I have half leather as have tiny hands, I also think they look smarter than full rubber. Mine are from Horsemanship Saddlery.

 

[teddypops]

I like plaited or laced reins and usually I can’t stand rubber reins as they are so thick and rough, however I got some reins with a shires bridle I bought and they are really nice soft rubber and not too chunky. I hate continental reins! Maybe you could go to a tack shop and just have a look at what’s on offer.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I use webbing reins by Libby's as they came with their bridle but I actually really like them. They are flexible with enough grip in all weathers without being rubbery. They are ridiculously easy to clean too (if I can't chuck my tack in a bucket or under the tap, I don't want to know ?)

I'm a size 5.5 - 6 in gloves and don't find these too bulky.

 

[Boulty]

I really like biothane reins. Really soft, supple & a lot thinner than traditional rubber reins. Only thing is for them to be grippy you have to be wearing gloves if it's wet or the horse is sweaty.

Or the eventer style rubber reins that are thinner with grippier rubber are nice too

 

[PapaverFollis]

I have Libbys reins at the moment. I like them and can ride without gloves with them. I don't actually like riding without gloves all that much but all my gloves have holes in and replacing them seems to be really low priority! But the Libbys are comfortable enough without.

I'm waiting on some Shires coloured reins arriving. MrPF has a pair and really likes them. But they do have leather markers on them so might not suit what you are after. Shires generally worth a look for functional, good value items though. So much choice out there, if I'm confused I go to Shires!

 

[MuddyMonster]

I have Libbys reins at the moment. I like them and can ride without gloves with them. I don't actually like riding without gloves all that much but all my gloves have holes in and replacing them seems to be really low priority! But the Libbys are comfortable enough without.

I'm waiting on some Shires coloured reins arriving. MrPF has a pair and really likes them. But they do have leather markers on them so might not suit what you are after. Shires generally worth a look for functional, good value items though. So much choice out there, if I'm confused I go to Shires!

My top tip would be to wear gloves with the Shires reins! I had the blue pair but found the leather stoppers really hard - especially if they take a pull try to eat whilst hacking (but that might say more about my pony than yours ) as I got blisters from them.

 

[benz]

I have the horsemanship saddlery ones, they are quite thin and definitely not bulky, leather outside rubber inside with ‘stops’ similar to the continental type but nicer looking. They are not the cheapest but good quality for the price I think (£37) https://www.horsemanshipsaddlery.uk/reins.html

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I'm going to ask a question to you OP, how "adventurous" are you prepared to go with regard to reins??

Would you, for instance, be happy riding out in synthetic and/or brightly coloured reins??

If so then I can point you towards "Endurance" and "TREC-ie" sites like Performance Equestrian and Pioneer Endurance which do some pretty nifty synthetic and/or coloured tack including reins! You can of course get plain brown or black in synthetic if you don't feel you want to go for bright colours!

If you're ultra-adventurous, have a look at the "Horse Leads" website where they have some lovely plaited reins!

I'm also a life-long fan of plaited nylon reins; rode with them as a child and later an adult. IMO you can't beat plaited nylon reins, they're nice and grippy, fall nicely into the hand without being heavy or stiff, and really come into their own if it is wet as they don't slip through your hand at all. They're not easy to come by nowadays, tho' I did pick up a nice pair at a horsey car boot, and another set for my pony on eBay.

I actually like the "clip-on" reins too; have a pair of plaited rope ones which are very useful indeed (with a combination halti-bridle) if you have a youngster and need to jump down and lead for whatever reason. All you need to do is clip-on the reins to the leading ring and there you are, sorted!

If you're after a more traditional look, I do like the look of the "Equus" rubber-gripped ones.

 

[Skib]

I love these replies. Thank you. But not adventurous, no. I need reins that are conventional - as she is a share and they will be used by other people.

 

[Alibear]

Hopefully, this is OK to point you here Reins - Townfields Saddlers , when I rode English I'd go to their stand at events and rummage through the various half rubber options to find the ones I liked as they had different widths and some were more flexible than others. The website seems to have quite a lot of options to compare. I'm a size 7 in gloves so not far off.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

I like Henry James bio-grip reins but you probably won’t like them. Might be worth a look at their range though. I got them because for some reason I’ve stopped wearing gloves and if I get sweaty hands or it’s raining my Stubben rubber reins that came with the bridle were very slick.

Dressage / showing reins are thinner and just have rubber on the inside if you want a bit of grip without bulk. Plain reins are useless if wet.

 

[MyBoyChe]

Ive got rope reins!! Ive got both mecate and split ones and they are attached with slobber straps, absolutely love them for hacking out. My granddaughter also has thinner rope reins with snap on clips for her pony, she was struggling with normal reins as they hurt her fingers but the rope ones are very soft and comfy

 

[catkin]

I have bad grip in my hands and find reins slip easily. I find the 'supergrip' reins the best for hacking, supple and thin in small hands but also grippy though would recommend wearing thin gloves in rain. They come with and without continental stops and are pretty cheap so can be replaced before the grip disintegrates.

Another thought, though it may not be pertinent to you - experiment with wider reins, even with smallish hands you may find them more comfortable although it sounds counterintuitive.

 

[SpeedyPony]

I like laced leather reins, but for hacking in the rain rubber is better. I really don't like the bulk of most traditional rubber reins, but I was recommended biogrip type reins by a few people on here and they are great!
I've got the ecorider fine flexi reins, soft rubber, thin and very flexible. I've found that webbing/plaited cotton reins get a bit soggy and unpleasant to hold if you're riding in a downpour, but I don't wear gloves (naughty I know ??) so that might not be an issue for those that do.

 

[eggs]

The best thing is to go to a tack shop that has a large selection and try holding them.

I've got large hands but also have arthritis and like the bio rubber reins as they are not too think and are very supple.

 

[HBB]

I have small arthritic hands and I love my Jeffries web reins, they're comfortable to hold and give you a secure grip.

 

[Skib]

Thank you again. I would indeed like to try them but due to age etc, we are still pretty much locked down for the time being. The only place we go to is the yard. I plan to walk round the yard next week feeling reins.

 

[Casey76]

Stubben slimline 1/2in rubber reins. I have really small hands, and can’t bear the bulk of regular 5/8 rubber or continental reins;

The Stubben slimline rubber reins are smooth (no pimples to blister your fingers), and drape nicely.

 

[oldie48]

I love my bio grip reins, lots of different companies make them now. they are so comfortable, don't slip and don't need much maintenance. I don't have small hands but I do have some damage to the tendons in some of my fingers but find these reins so easy to hold with or without gloves although tbh I always wear gloves.

 

[ecb89]

I love my Henry James v grip reins with stoppers. I use size 7 gloves

 

[milliepops]

I used to like biogrips so definitely second those for the small-handed rider. I had the equus smooth ones first then some biogrips made by a local saddler.

I really do prefer anything with stops these days, so often your reins feel an even length but you can tell from the stops they really aren't. Probably less important for hacking. For feedback when schooling it's invaluable ?

 

[paddy555]

I'm also a life-long fan of plaited nylon reins; rode with them as a child and later an adult. IMO you can't beat plaited nylon reins, they're nice and grippy, fall nicely into the hand without being heavy or stiff, and really come into their own if it is wet as they don't slip through your hand at all. They're not easy to come by nowadays, tho' I did pick up a nice pair at a horsey car boot, and another set for my pony on eBay.

.

I'm a big fan of cotton plaited reins and always have been. I couldn't find any in the UK and certainly none that had a buckle (and therefore a breaking point) in the middle. I got mine from Australia. Rather a long way to send for reins.

 

[Nudibranch]

I have Henry James biogrip with stoppers and they are lovely. Definitely recommended.