Reins Western Saddles

It is essential to use riding reins, no matter what kind of riding you do. They help give your horse subtle signals, cues and commands. The right assortment of reins, such as barrel reins, contest reins, and roping reins maintain better control the actions and movements of your horse. Horse reins provide reliable secondary assistance for guiding and controlling your horse’s movements. Split reins consist of two separate reins that attach to the bit. The roper reins use on long continuous rein that attaches to both the ends of the bit.

Western riders prefer the western style of rein depending on the specific activity they ride in. Certain types of reins must be used for particular events. So, reins made for use in speed games shouldn’t be used in pleasure or equitation class.

How to choose a set of Reins for the first time

If you are a beginner, you will want reins that are easy to handle because, for the first time, you don’t know what exactly to do with your hands. So, we recommend closed reins, similar to English style reins. If you lose a rein, it won’t fall to the ground, but drape over the horse’s neck or withers. Closed reins can be one long strap, or they may have a buckle in the middle, as in English style rein.

Barrel reins are created of rope, webbing or nylon braid

They are quite short and make it more difficult for you to hold your hand in the right place for pleasure riding. Barrel-riders keep their reins further up the horse’s neck, in contrast, pleasure riders, so long reins end up dangling. The shorter length could make it difficult to hold the reins comfortable if you ride a horse that can be direct reined.

Different Kinds of Closed Reins

There are many different closed reins. Western riders prefer western reins, because they have weight, in contrast, English reins. Flat or round braided and knotted leather are popular. The texture of these reins enables beginners to hold their grip. The reins don’t slide through their hands quite as quickly. Many western riders like rope, webbing or other material that has a bit of weight, but is still comfortable in the rider’s hands. Braided nylon and rope are also popular because they’re braided or twisted. They have a better weight than a flat biothane or nylon rain, and they are quite comfortable to hold. These reins can be bought in almost any color or combination of colors that appeal to you, and they are easy to maintain, unlike leather reins that need regular cleaning and conditioning, dunking in water every so often keeps them clean.

They also don’t get slippery like leather does if you’re caught in the rain, and then get stiff and need reconditioning once they dry. Some rope reins are quite thick. Try holding reins in the tack store to see if they’re too much of a handful. Rope reins can be more careful in the winter time when leather or biomethane reins can feel cold and stiff. Western riders like open-ended reins and the way they are held is a bit different than the way closed reins can be held. You should try them out when you are feeling confident. Only experience will help you choose the best reins for you.