I’m developing arthritis in my hands and need reins that don’t slip. Even with rein stops it’s becoming increasingly harder to maintain a steady hold. Any suggestions? I have tried the Thin Line non-slip, they are comfortable but slip through my hands.
Something with texture like the fabric reins jumpers use plus gloves with very good silicon grips. Is it possible to find slightly thicker reins?
I also know that when I returned to riding 12 years ago I always slipped my reins but that no longer happens despite the fact that my hand arthritis is worse. So some of it is practice and attention.
If you really can’t close your hand on the reins there may be para rider gear that would help like loops on the reins?
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Thanks Scribbler. Can you give examples of gloves with good silicon grip? I’ve always ridden in Roeckl gloves. Also, I’m not familiar with the fabric reins, examples?
I have a pair of rubberized fabric reins that came with a cheap snaffle bridle. They have rein stops. I would think you could get similar in any tack store catering to jumpers. You might also like laced reins.
As far as good gripping gloves, again just look at the tack store. In winter I use gloves sold as glove liners for skiers. They are smooth outside fleece inside and have silicon on the palm.
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If you can’t find riding gloves with a good enough grip you might look in hardware stores for light weight work or gardening gloves. I’ve had work gloves with too much grip for work. The pitchfork didn’t slide so I ended up torquing my back until I learned to loosen my grip on the handle.
I’ve never owned a pair of Roekels so I can’t compare.
I’ve also found deerskin work gloves add some bulk to my palm and fingers and help with grip.
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Jerrys made pimpled rubber reins with leather stops. When I heard he was going out of business I bought a few - should have bought more. If you can find them, they are great.
I have gnarly, arthritic hands w short fingers. Plaited leather reins work best for me. If you don’t like the look of braided leather, Nunn Finer Sure Grip reins come with and without stops and are very good as well. My coach has stopped yelling: “Shorten your reins!”
https://www.ejeffries.co.uk/plaited-reins-falcon.html
https://www.vtosaddlery.com/product/NFSGRWLS.htm
I second the Nunn Finer reins! They have a great grip, and many of the older riders and jumper students at the barn I ride at use them as they are comfortable and seem to be quite grippy.
Good luck! 
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Equus Eventa. Rubber that is not pimple/dots but rather “scored”. They are wider and very easy to grip. The rubber is nice and soft but still firm. I don’t like light floppy reins, personally.
I just bought a pair of these: https://www.statelinetack.com/item/t…reins/E006413/ for a snaffle bridle that I only use periodically. I didnt think I would like them much because I have small hands and they felt thick. BUT in fact I liked them enough to replace my leather w/ handstops reins on my double bridle. I’m in Florida so many days my gloves get damp from sweat and I was constantly having to adjust my rein length as they slipped thru the damp gloves. But that is all gone. And because I’m not constantly adjusting, my horse and I maintain a much better, consistent contact. BTW they come in black…
Edited to add, I also ride in Roeckl gloves.
You could try race reins. They are 1 inch wide and thick rubber. They take some getting used to. But once you get used to them, regular reins feel like wet noodles.
I have some Mark Todd rubber reins and they are decently grippy. I usually ride with SSG Hybrid gloves, but I just got a pair of Noble Equestrian coolmesh gloves, and they are super grippy with the rubber reins. They are sort of an ultrasuede on the palms.
You can also take your favorite gloves and add glue dots in strategic places with a hot glue gun.
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If you like the thickness and grip of the Thinline reins but need a little extra, you can get them with rein stops. I’m guessing you have the original smooth reins?
Passier has a good variety of reins that you might try out -
I find these web reins with the leather stoppers super grippy:
[URL=“https://www.passier.com/en/bridles/reins/web-bridle-reins-with-double-leather-hand-grips-and-monkey-buckles/”]https://www.passier.com/en/bridles/r...onkey-buckles/
They’ve got a ton, though. Browsing through their selection is a good idea!
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I have the thin line reins and love them. I wipe them with water after each ride, I find if they get at all dusty they lose their grip. I had the nunn finer reins and liked them but had slipping problems if there was a lot of sweat.
Thanks everyone, this is what hoping to find by posting.
I have these gloves and my grip is fine in them. I wasn’t sure they were “super grip” so I didn’t specifically recommend them. But maybe they are! My big grip events are stopping marsey diving for grass beside the trail and these gloves are doing the job!
My husband likes these - https://www.henryjamessaddlery.co.uk/collections/reins/products/super-bio-grip-hybrid-rubber-reins-with-leather-stoppers
They have the same grippy biothane as Nunn Finer, plus stops.
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A set of 3/4" rubber reins from Jerry’s were the ticket for me to keep my reins from slipping. I haven’t tried this, but a friend that used to gallop horses at the track said they would use gloves for water skiing as they provided excellent grip in wet conditions.
ETA: forgot I was in the dressage forum…
Yeah, I bought them for the mesh back rather than the grip factor. I usually ride in SSG Hybrid gloves, but I wanted something cooler for summer. Even though the material seems about the same, the Nobles are just much grippier with my particular reins, which I found surprising.
