Me again - back with the romals

[Tee]

So I was able to get a set of romals - traded a friend of mine and they arrived today. I was concerned at first that they were too short, even for Remy, but I used them tonight and once he was in frame they were just about perfect.

But… they have snaps. I hate snaps on reins. It didn’t seem to bother him, but it drove me batty. I don’t see any way to take the snaps off to put a different end on the reins, but I don’t know how they’re constructed either.

I got a quick pic tonight. Is this something a leather repair place could do or am I going to learn to live with it?

[gaitedincali]

If they’re short they may be made to use with rein chains. They don’t look like any romels I’ve seen used in the wp showring- thinner and lighter- so maybe they’re more cow horse style.

Schneiders makes connectors for romel reins- should be easy to find on the website @ sstack.com.

[SuckerForHorses]

In the picture, they look like a synthetic material. Are they, or are they leather?

If they’re not leather, they aren’t the show style romal reins, and that could be why they are shorter.

What breed is he?

[Bluey]

Those reins don’t look right for romals.
They should be heavier on the end by the bit to give the right signals, not be light all along.

Do look at pictures on the internet in CA vaquero type tack stores for what properly working romal reins should look like to work as intended.

Remember, romal reins generally are to be used on finished working/showing horses, not really for every day training.

[ACP]

Please don’t think I am being snide, but those are not romals. In fact the correct term in “closed reins with a romal”. They are closed reins. The closed reins normally have a slider or keeper of some sort. They are braided from the middle down to each end, where there is usually a snap of some sort. Frequently there are decorative buttons or ferrules, and there may even be weights, to enable the rider to signal the horse with a very slight movement, such as just closing the hand more firmly around the reins. One folds them in half and there is a keeper which slips over the ‘end’, making a loop. This is where the single romal is attached. It hangs down on the off side of the horse, and is held in the rider’s other hand.

If you don’t plan to show, you can modify them however you want. If you plan to show you need to follow the rules for your horse’s breed/type of riding.

Neat horse, by the way!

[Bluey]

These are very nice romal reins.
You may not need that kind if you are not a serious trainer for that kind of riding, but it gives you an idea of what a neat braiding and mounting job is, so you can evaluate other reins for at least good serviceability:

http://www.customrawhide.com/cgi-bin/store/agora.cgi?cart_id=1176286.28776*Gt7rw3&page=romal_reins.html

[Tee]

Gotta run, but to answer a couple of questions. They are leather - pretty lightweight but I liked the feel for my hand, at any rate.

Suckerforhorses, he’s a Lippitt Morgan.

My intention was to use them for showing. Schooling shows at my barn and smaller open shows.

[Bluey]

If you like the reins you have, you can add a bit more firmness to them by oiling them heavily.
That will darken them also, but that would be fine.

As for the snaps, you could cut them off with a cutting wheel on the grinder, or some strong, big wire cutters and then add a piece of matching or white braided loop with a button, as in these romal rein ends:

http://www.customrawhide.com/cgi-bin/store/picserve.cgi?picserve=romal_reins/romal_working_split_Hpim0454.jpg

If you find yourself needing a bit more weight on the end by the bit, you can buy clamp on silver ferrules of different weights and add a few between the first few rawhide knots.

[VaqueroToro]

[QUOTE=Bluey;6579439]

If you find yourself needing a bit more weight on the end by the bit, you can buy clamp on silver ferrules of different weights and add a few between the first few rawhide knots.[/QUOTE]

Are slobber straps ever on romel reins? Or are those more for mecate and split reins? That might be a way to get rid of the clips for more weight/nicer look.

[reinerspook]

Here are some rawhide connector straps you could use to replace the snaps.

http://www.customrawhide.com/cgi-bin/store/agora.cgi?cart_id=9832317.9753*0L8Cj3&product=RRC

[Tee]

Oh, nice! Thanks guys!

I do plan to get some nice, nice romals in the future, but right now with the level we’re showing I’m just not ready to spend that kind of $$.

[gaitedincali]

@Tee;6580491

Oh, nice! Thanks guys!

I do plan to get some nice, nice romals in the future, but right now with the level we’re showing I’m just not ready to spend that kind of $$.

I understand the $$$ thing! Western can get crazy expensive, and the QH people that show in split reins don’t know how lucky they are! :lol:

Schneiders is starting to make some lower price reins that are the correct style for WP.

http://www.sstack.com/western_reins_show/double-s-chocolate-rawhide-sp-ferruled-romal-reins-22948/

I’ve even shown locally in these-
http://www.sstack.com/western_reins_show/dura-tech-weighted-romel-training-reins/

Sadly, a horse ate them. But I might get another pair of the same, I really liked them.