hook studs versus buckle ends?

[frugalannie]

Well, if you’re just talking about reins…take a look at the english racing reins (or so I’ve been told they’re called). The end of the rein has a metal ring sewed into it. As with the loop reins, the long end gets looped through the metal ring.

I love them: easy to change bits/ clean reins thoroughly. The end that the ring is stitched on is doubled so there is lots of strength, and it’s a very clean look. I couldn’t find a photo on-line, but I get them through Round the Bend tack in Hamilton, MA. I’ve actually had hook end and buckle end reins converted because I like the metal ring end so much.

[Calvincrowe]

I love my buckle end reins, and I live in jumper land. Easy to change bits, secure, easy to take apart for those of us with arthritic knuckles. And I can get them in shorter length for my obnoxiously short necked horse! I do think buckle vs hook is really personal preference and neither is ‘better’ than the other.

[beowulf]

[QUOTE=frugalannie;8481535]
Well, if you’re just talking about reins…take a look at the english racing reins (or so I’ve been told they’re called). The end of the rein has a metal ring sewed into it. As with the loop reins, the long end gets looped through the metal ring.

I love them: easy to change bits/ clean reins thoroughly. The end that the ring is stitched on is doubled so there is lots of strength, and it’s a very clean look. I couldn’t find a photo on-line, but I get them through Round the Bend tack in Hamilton, MA. I’ve actually had hook end and buckle end reins converted because I like the metal ring end so much.[/QUOTE]

I have those… you are talking about these, yea?

I think they are called Warendorf reins… I had a thread about it WAY long ago… I love them but they are a PITA to take on / off sometimes… not in the way buckles or hooks are, just that you got to remember which goes where… I loved them but I did notice they do get stuck in place so in retrospect not very useful for loose-ring bits.

eta: I also had, on more than one occasion, a well-meaning jump judge or ring steward at events stop me and tell me they were not legal. They are, but from afar they do look like the machination of a gag.

[jen-s]

[QUOTE=frugalannie;8481535]
Well, if you’re just talking about reins…take a look at the english racing reins (or so I’ve been told they’re called).[/QUOTE]

Oops! I must not have been clear. I have reins. Lots of reins. But I’m looking at bridle options. My one complaint about hook studs on cheek pieces is that it can be trickier to find bridles that aren’t 1) fancy stitched or 2) rather fine/thin. It seems easier to find budget friendly (used) options with a tad more substance to the bridle if one goes with buckle ends. Alas, I clearly just need to up my budget!

[FancyIllusions]

I always end up needing to up my budget when I go tack shopping. Oh look, that one is $100 more than I planned on but it’s also heavily discounted from it’s regular price so clearly I would be an idiot not to get the deal of a lifetime… I feel your pain, I really do.

That being said, I prefer the hook studs. Even if a bridle hasn’t been cared for too well, I’m always usually able to add just enough conditioner to supple it enough that I can undo it and properly clean/condition it.

[frugalannie]

Beowulf, yes that is the rein. I haven’t had them hang up. And even though I use rein stops, I don’t think a running martingale could get hung up on them either.

As far as a bridle, I use old fashioned hook and stud cheeks on bridles for a couple of my horses, but Micklems on the others. The Micklems have the option of using a snap to attach the bit which is REALLY convenient.

[jen-s]

[QUOTE=FancyIllusions;8481955]
That being said, I prefer the hook studs. Even if a bridle hasn’t been cared for too well, I’m always usually able to add just enough conditioner to supple it enough that I can undo it and properly clean/condition it.[/QUOTE]

And if it’s still stubborn, a (clean) hoofpick works wonders to get it open.