I wouldn’t have thought it’d be this hard, but I can’t seem to find anything that fits these criteria: Longer than 54" (ideally 58 or 60), hand stops, and grippy texture on both sides (but ideally not too bulky).
Most options seem to only be 2 out of 3.
The ThinLine reins check the boxes but they feel just a bit too bulky in my hand. I wish the Nunn Finer Soft Grips came with hand stops. If I can’t find any other options, I may just have to work with the TLs.
I custom ordered some exactly like this when I had a horse that was too big for me. So my answer is no, I couldn’t find them for sale retail at the time.
Nunn Finer Sure Grip reins! They are rubber web with rein stops and they come in 58". They are my favorite.
Henry James in the UK has exactly what you are looking for - https://www.henryjamessaddlery.co.uk/collections/reins/products/super-bio-grip-hybrid-rubber-reins-with-leather-stoppers
I underwent this same search last year. I found these that meet all your criteria. Sizes 54" - 64":
http://sesporthorse.com/soft-pimple-…errys-harness/
Are these rubber?
I loved my Nunn finer soft grips, but they didn’t have stops. I recently bought the PS of Sweden softy with grip reins and I LOVE them.
they are not wide, soft on the outside and nice grip on the inside and they have stops! I believe they come in length you are looking for.
I saw these, but they appear to be leather on one side and rubber on the other? I was worried that the leather side would cause some slippage. Have you had any issue with that?
I was trying to figure out the material as well. I also saw they have a similar one which is labeled as biothane but appears to have a smooth rather than pimple texture: http://sesporthorse.com/biothane-5-8…harness-reins/. I wish you could zoom in more on the photos.
I tried to call the vendor but it went to voicemail.
I have the ThinLine reins and like them a lot. I needed a 60" rein in black, and I don’t like rubber-lined reins, which narrows the field considerably. The Thinline reins do look (and maybe initially feel) thick, but their softness and “give” made them feel very natural to me after a short period of use. They provide a very good feel of the horse’s mouth.
I like that these aren’t quite as expensive as the Nunn Finer reins. Similar to the Sure Grips, though, do you find any slipping issues with the outside of the rein being leather instead of the grippy material?
Let us know if you hear back! They look like something I need but not if they arent rubber.
I have Thinline reins, and I’ll say that initially I found them bulky, but it didn’t take long to adjust, and now I really like them!
The rein link I posted from SEsporthorses.com are rubber with pimples. Very soft, pliable and grippy.
Thank you!!
Whoa, I didn’t know how much I needed these till I saw them - I love a rubber rein but also need that reminder to not let my reins slip too long.
Are all their reins in Biothane?
I simply hated the way the Biothane reins felt on my skin, I’ll do a bridle but not the reins.
Right now I am dreaming of finding 3/4" x 60" web reins with the different colored stops and notch reins (with leather covered nylon core), 1/2" wide x 63+".
Yeah, dream on Jackie.
There is a 16.3 warmblood gelding at the barn, owned by the manager of the barn.
I finally determined that as weak as I am that I sometimes NEED a double bridle to explain my aids to the horse clearly and concisely. If I could set them up with a double bridle I think his rider might consider it since she is already using two sets of reins on his elevator bit. Luckily for me all the important people at my lesson barn are quite amused about my mania for riding in a double bridle, so long as I provide bridle, bit and reins. If this gelding could be introduced to the double bridle I could probably safely ride him at my usual walk and trot.
I’m fine with riding 13.2 to 15.3 horses in a decent snaffle, one they like. But the bigger they get the more I feel like I need that double bridle. Gently tweaking the sagging curb rein with my little fingers, with immediate release seems to overcome a lot of resistances. I can keep my hands lighter and the horse does not feel free to just lean its weight on the bit. Both of us win.
I just spoke with the vendor (owner?) who’s been ordering these direct from manufacturer. She told me they are not actually rubber. It’s some kind of synthetic material but she couldn’t find specs on what it’s actually made from. She said they are very grippy though they can get a little slimy if too much fly spray gets on them. If that happens you’d just dip it in water and towel off.
In the photos they don’t look very thick but she told me they measure not quite 3/4" so they might be on the wider side.
Thought I’d report back as I ended up buying these reins and used them for the first time yesterday. They have a heavier weight/feel than my webbed reins, but they are super grippy. Texture seems similar to rubber though it’s not as thick as the previous rubber reins I used, which for me is a good thing.
At first they looked like they were wider than my webbed reins, but when I measured they’re both right around 3/4". It’s probably the bulkier material that makes it look bigger. That being said, it didn’t feel too bad in my hands. I definitely like having the extra length for my long-necked horse.
When I poured water on them, they did feel a little slick in my bare hands, especially compared to the webbed reins when wet, but the pebbly texture may help when riding. No rain in the forecast so might be awhile before I can full test that.
I think it’ll take a little time to get used to the weight–they have a lot of bounce when trotting on a lose rein–but overall I’m pleased so far.
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