So Maresy and I don’t have any aspirations of being world-beater anythings, but we do go out and putter around in the pasture, and I am not happy with my split reins. They were fine on my walkaloosa, who liked a whole lot more hand, but they seem a bit light for this horse. I have to take up more contact than either of us are happy with to get a good feel, and I think a heavier rein would help, but I can’t stand the hand-feel of nylon on my fingers. Horse is in a single jointed loose ring snaffle, if it matters.
I talk about him all the time, but I really love his tack! Ken Amen (I don’t have the website on hand, but I believe it’s www.amencustonleather.com) makes great split reins. They’re weighed just enough to have good feel and balance without feeling like they’re dragging, and they come in several widths (I like the 1", but I also ride in a 1" mecate, most people who’ve used my bridles preferred my narrower ones which I believe are 5/8ths).
If your reins are too light/flimsy, look for harness leather reins. You can get good quality ones that are cut thicker near the bit and the tail, thinner where they go through your hand. Try to visit a good tack store, or trade show at a big western show (AQHA World Show is the 8th through the 23d on OKC, big trade show) and get your hands on some to see how they feel.
A lot of the good harness leather reins will feel kind of stiff when you first get them. Oil them up and soften up the fibers by running them through stall bars or something similar (hold each end of a rein and see-saw the rein around the bars). It seems like you’re abusing your tack, but it’s the fastest way to make new, stiff reins feel like your favorite 3 year old reins that are broken in and soft. Good harness leather reins will have nice feel and drape, and will let your horse ride off a signal, even with a snaffle bit.
Harness leather reins, for sure. A friend of mine just bought some from SmartPak and said they came out of the box butter soft and ready to go. Unfortunately she bought 1/2" and meant for 5/8", so they had to go back. Pretty much any of the harness leather reins I have bought I’ve loved. Some took a little longer to develop the love, however.
I just picked up some nice reins from Hitchingpost supply that are made by silvertip rope (like the halters) Feel like mohair, which were my absolute favorite reins until a mouse got them. These are much less expensive. Nice feel to them, I got the continuous 10ft length and love them. Cowperson tack makes really nice split leather reins with a good feel. Mine have lasted forever.
Good harness leather reins do last forever. The reason I can’t recommend a specific supplier is that most of my reins are around 20 years old. The latigo laces that tie the waterloop to the rein have had to be replaced on some, but the reins and waterloops are all still good, even though some have teeth marks from naughty colts. I do prefer the waterloops over buckle or other attachments. Easy to repair and the only time I have ever had tack fail it’s been on stress points around a buckle, and not easily repairable, if repairable at all.
Call Huber’s Custom Tack in Louisville, KY. Their coconut oil split reins are really great. 502-241-9621 (I googled them and this is the number that came up…hope it works.)
Schutz Brothers. 3/4" or so, and 8’ long.
7’ on a high headed breed.
You’re welcome. You’ll love them.
Be careful on the 3/4" - unless you’ve already tried them out. I tried to ride in some last week (on a borrowed bridle) and they were too wide for my hands. And I’m not a petite person.
I actually wanted to add that I felt the SP reins tonight and they aren’t as heavy as I’d like if I was looking for a nice feel and drape. They sure were nice and soft tho!
