side reins?? please help!!

[horselover14]

so I'm getting side reins for my horse (and yes I know how to properly use them) and I'm not sure if I should get got nylon or leather or nylon with elastic or leather with elastic or if they should have a donut on them. Help? I really don't know which ones are best.

 

[Orangehorse]

Different theories on whether they should "give" or not, I've seen both pro and against.

Leather might stretch, would nylon break?

 

[horselover14]

Different theories on whether they should "give" or not, I've seen both pro and against.

Leather might stretch, would nylon break?

I really have no clue. that's why I made a forum.

 

[Sleipnir]

What is the reason you have decided to use side reins on your horse, OP?

 

[sbloom]

I've fallen out of love with side reins over the years and don't believe that they at all replicate good contact, would lunge (or even better do groundwork) without. If you absolutely want to use them there's a debate about fixed versus some with some give, donuts (which can bounce) versus more modern elastic ones. It might depend what you're trying to achieve, and what issues the horse has.

 

[Leandy]

I use leather ones with elastic inserts. Always have. I like a bit of give, not necessarily for when they are going well but for the blips when they trip or spook or whatever so they don't get an unnecessarily sharp jab. I use leather over nylon because it can be relied on to break in extreme circumstances. No idea about the difference between elastic and rubber dough nuts. One might imagine the elastic would perish more readily but I've had mine now for about 30 years and all seems ok.

 

[Ratface]

I don't like side reins. I prefer to see what my horse is saying by their natural carriage.