Anyone ever see these for sale anywhere any more?
The off- white linen-looking ones. A long-time favorite of mine.
And has Vogel bootpolish resurfaced by chance?
Thanks
Vogel polish:
http://www.beval.com/Products/Vogel-Boot-Creme-Polish-Black,-25-oz/6100004.aspx
For the reins, I know the ones you mean, but haven’t seen them in donks. I’d get these, and have leather ends put on:
http://www.chicksaddlery.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?store_code=CDS&screen=PROD&product_code=WRR057
Ooh. Blast from the past. I still have some plaited cord reins- rather a rust color instead of white- that I purchased in France in the early '70s. Must find and use!
I do have plaited roping reins like these:
http://www.chicksaddlery.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RR9209&Affiliate=sh
which I use on my qh ‘pony’ just for plain old western riding- normally roping reins are a bit too short for pleasure riding, but on the little gal, just right! And very comfy reins.
I have and still use a pair. They are rust colored. They were a present from my parents years ago - maybe mid 60’s? Only pair I have ever seen. I also got a honking strong leather halter with square brass rings at the same time. Still have it too. The tack store was in Toronto but the name escapes me.
Black or brown boot polish can still be found - sorry I failed to clarify that I am looking for the (currently not being made I fear) creme boot conditioner in a bottle.
Thanks for the link Beverly - might be able to improvise with those.
In the meantime, will treasure highly the old pair I still have…
PS - B’s reins were corded cotton, much preferable to X’s which were nylon and I would guess could get slippery.
Thanks again Bev.
The cotton reins are VERY comfy (my old plaited ones are nylon, if memory serves… haven’t gone looking for them yet!
But remember these are roping reins- I measured tonight after riding, 7 ft (72 in) versus 8 feet (84 in) for my leather laced hunting reins. A great length for my little mare, but on my 16.2 gelding, I’d have to lean forward and drop waaay down to let him graze. So, size may matter.
The ones I posted are 8’ long! 
Got some!
I have a coupla pairs of cotton plaited but they are mostly found in western tack shops or western sections. And usually cheap! $11. for my last pair I bought at Bryants in Manassas. Old Habit used to sell them for their pony clubbers (Frank used to stock them) but they were also split reins. I just tie a knot or attach them together. LOVE them for summertime trail riding ie: don’t need gloves when your hands get sweaty or their necks sweat AND if they get all gooey and fly spray covered then I just wash them in hot soapy water and voila! New reins!
English style cotton cord braided reins with hook stud ends - appear to be longer than Western ones but I’d check:
http://www.smithworthington.com/index.php?p=product&id=313&parent=60
One Christmas in the early 60’s I asked both sets of grandparents for linen reins. Both came through. I used the rust colored ones every day, the white ones for formal occasions (opening day hunting, Devon, etc.)
I lost track of the dark ones during a 20 year hiatus from riding, but I still have the natural ones for best. And they are the nicest reins ever.
Ooh. Smith Worthington would for sure be the right length, I bought my last flat bridle from them and am pleased with it. A little different plait than my French ones but worth pondering.
