Searching for Reins

JustKickOn

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I would say they're plaited, but not the typical leather ones.

Perhaps ask your local tack shop, if they're a more traditional sort they may know.
 

Cragrat

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Plaited reins- brings back memories:)
I had blue pair (which faded quite quickly )on my pony's bridle. They were brilliant - super grip, easy to hold, easy to clean, and lasted for ever- for the life of the pony!
 

Greys

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I've got an old pair of my mothers, I think they must be a waxed cotton. I love how easy they are to ride with, they never slip like I find some rubber ones do on a sweaty pony hunting and they're tactile to hold. I've seen people hunting with them, I'm just dying to have more of them!
 

paddy555

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they are cotton plaited reins. You will struggle to find them.
I replaced mine several years ago and the only saddlery (online) that sold them were Kincade. I am not sure if even they do now. I have never seen them, or at least not in the last 30 years, in a high street saddlers.

Far from being ideal candidates for rope burn they are lovely soft reins which are great in the wet and comfy to hold.

Greys, if you find a supplier would you mind posting a link please? I have no idea how I will be able to replace mine idc.

oh and BTW they are old. I worked as a groom for a spell in the early 70's and all the bridles had reins identical to your picture.
 

happyclappy

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Look. Remember those. Nice comfy reins. Going to my tack shop soon I think. Can't use them on my girl any more but can on hubby horse! He won't like them though!
 

Beausmate

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I have a pair of cotton web reins that I bought last year. I got them off ebay in the States, but they were made by Crosby in Walsall.

Might be worth giving Crosby a ring?
 

paddy555

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can anyone explain why people don't buy plaited cotton reins any longer?
Not the yellow, red and blue nylon ones that every pony club pony had back in the 70's but nice cotton plaited ones in either brown or black.

Is it just because people cannot find them, or as it seems, that as they are not available many of the more later generations are simply not aware of them? I am not meaning for showing etc but for hacking, hunting for which they are especially good and other general activities.

They are lovely reins to handle and far nicer to hold than rubber covered ones.

Just curious as to why?
 

paddy555

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the reins in your first 2 links I am pretty sure are Kincade ones. The leather is not of the best quality however it is strong and does it's job. The buckles go on the outside of the bit/hackamore rather than inside as in your pictured reins.
 

Greys

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can anyone explain why people don't buy plaited cotton reins any longer?
Not the yellow, red and blue nylon ones that every pony club pony had back in the 70's but nice cotton plaited ones in either brown or black.

Is it just because people cannot find them, or as it seems, that as they are not available many of the more later generations are simply not aware of them? I am not meaning for showing etc but for hacking, hunting for which they are especially good and other general activities.

They are lovely reins to handle and far nicer to hold than rubber covered ones.

Just curious as to why?

Would love to know also they're the best i've ever ridden with! And judging by the ones i've got are strong and last for ever.
I'll just have to start making them!!
 

Beausmate

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Walsall Riding Saddles

01922 620233

Think they are Crosby, might be worth calling them to see if they still make cotton reins.
 

marmalade76

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Would love to know also they're the best i've ever ridden with! And judging by the ones i've got are strong and last for ever.
I'll just have to start making them!!

Yep, thy are great reins, good grip, soft, comfortable, very flexible and almost indestructible. Rubber ones can be slippery when wet and only last as long as the rubber does (was most annoyed when I'd spent loads on a pair of Jeffries rubber reins only for the rubber to disintegrate by the time the leather was broken in :mad: ). Have no idea why they have gone so out of fashion, you'd have thought they'd be the in thing with all the matchy matchy now, they were available in many different colours. Was it Lorna Clark who always went XC in a pair of white ones?
 

Greys

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Yep, thy are great reins, good grip, soft, comfortable, very flexible and almost indestructible. Rubber ones can be slippery when wet and only last as long as the rubber does (was most annoyed when I'd spent loads on a pair of Jeffries rubber reins only for the rubber to disintegrate by the time the leather was broken in :mad: ). Have no idea why they have gone so out of fashion, you'd have thought they'd be the in thing with all the matchy matchy now, they were available in many different colours. Was it Lorna Clark who always went XC in a pair of white ones?

Just googled her and yep white reins, couldn't zoom in but they looked about right :)
 

dianchi

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Love mine, left overs from PPC days!
They really are fab and mine are the waxed cotton ones, i also have a blue set of nylon somewhere- no where near as good!
 
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