Reins...

[Dizzle]

Stressage coming up next weekend, have just bought the tack home for a pre-comp clean (stage 1) and my reins are erm, fit for hacking and that's it!

They're bog standard rubber jobs I've had for ages.

Now... I have in my possession a lovely pair of inch wide plain leather reins, I haven't ridden with plain leather reins since I was a child (and contact was something that E.T did), obviously going to have a trial run this week but am I nuts to ride in plain leather reins?

Thoughts???

 

[Lotty]

I'm not really keen on the plain leather reins but it's preference really. I have the full leather continental reins and I love them, much better than the webbing ones.

 

[Dizzle]

Are the contenental reins the ones with grip on the inside? I love them too, I had a lovely pair except I ordered them in black to match my old tack, new saddle is brown so they had to go!

 

[Happy Hunter]

get some good gloves.
Trial it to the max - then hope it doesnt rain - but dont hope too hard!!!
Grass is looking like August out there!!!

 

[Holly Hocks]

I bought some beautiful dressage reins recently - they look like plain leather on the outside, but have a rubber grip on the inside, and what I like is that they're not too chunky so it seems to make me have a much lighter contact

 

[JenHunt]

get some good gloves.
Trial it to the max - then hope it doesnt rain - but dont hope too hard!!!
Grass is looking like August out there!!!

this! ^^^

roeckel chester gloves are good for riding in leather reins.

I like my leather reins on the double bridle, but I always ride with that wearing gloves.

 

[Lotty]

Are the contenental reins the ones with grip on the inside? I love them too, I had a lovely pair except I ordered them in black to match my old tack, new saddle is brown so they had to go!

These are similar to what I have http://www.franceskellybridles.co.uk/details.php?amp;bridle_type=3&nam=Reins&productID=77

I also like the ones with the grip on the inside too.

 

[dapplepink]

I think I'm odd as I hate riding in anything but plain reins! As people have said definately use some good gloves with them, the ones with the hidden rubber grip on the inside would probably be better for you as they are kinda a halfway measure rather than going straight for plain. Good luck!

 

[catkin]

Personally I wouldn't change tack close to a first dressage competition if you are worried that it may change your performance. The judge is going to be looking at how you and your horse are going not whether your reins have seen better days.

what's the matter with your everyday reins? it's amazing how much better all tack looks after a good old polish and clean up.

 

[nikCscott]

I had to ride in plains when the puppy got hold of mine- no time to buy new so used the plain ones and sprayed my gloves with my husbands spray that he uses for rugby to make his hands tacky to catch the ball easier and it worked a treat. But did go out and buy new the day after!

 

[Dizzle]

what's the matter with your everyday reins? it's amazing how much better all tack looks after a good old polish and clean up.

They're pretty cr@ppy! But, they are going to have to do, rode this morning in the plain leather reins and erm, ended up returning to the yard about 10 mins later in absolute terror because I had no grip what so ever...

Going to have to make do with my scrappy old reins for now, hopefully the judge will be so wowed by our, erm... plaiting probably that he/she won't notice.