I have arthritis in my hands and my grip strength is not what it used to be. Plus a lovely big horse with an enormous sense of humor who occasionally puts his head between his ankles in celebration of his awesomeness.
I was hoping to find an extra grippy rein that is tasteful enough that it won’t scream “unconventional” as we’re going around the hunter ring. I always wear gloves and the standard braided reins just aren’t cutting it when big boy decides to throw out some antics.
Thanks!
Smartpak carries Antares reins that are meant to go with its Origin hunter bridle—the reins are leather on the outside and rubber lined on the inside. So you can’t tell that there’s rubber on them. They are somewhat stiffer than normal reins because of this, but look normal. Will set you back I think $200, but seem to fit what you’re looking for.
I love nunn finer rubber reins. Not sure if it’s as nice looking as you would like but they are high quality and super grippy. They are nice and thin and don’t feel like other rubber reins I have used.
I know these are not a fancy brand, but I have a pair of DaVinci rubber reins that have a good foot of stitched leather at the bit end of the reins that create a nice look. I like them. http://www.horseloverz.com/english-h…hoC3YgQAvD_BwE
Otherwise, I love the Nunn Finer soft grip reins.
Are the USE rules the same as Canada’s for hunters and rubber reins? They are illegal in hunter classes in Canada (with the exception of bad weather IF the judge/steward/committee has agreed to allow them).
You could likely get away with the rubber-lined ones as they’re leather on the outer side and you can’t tell.
KL Select has rubber lined, braided reins.
http://klselect.com/accessories/reins/ (scroll down to the “stealth laced reins”)
Great suggestions, thanks. Big boy is a rein chewer, so I’d hate to drop $200 if I don’t have to. :winkgrin:
I love the Nunn Finer rubber reins, I have them on my dressage and hacking bridles, but I think they’d be very obvious in the hunter ring. Unless options have changed on them (mine are several years old), they have buckle ends, so would stand out for that if nothing else. They might be a great at-home option though, OP 
Wow, I’d vote for the KL “stealth” reins linked above. They look like just what you want.
Nunn Finer does a couple of rubber-lined leather reins as well, included a rubber-lined laced rein like the ‘stealth.’ It doesn’t seem to be on their website but any Nunn Finer retailer can get them in for you!
They also do a plain leather rein, lined with rubber, with hand stops: ihttps://www.nunnfiner.com/Rubber-Lined-Reins-with-Hand-Stops-p/21s.htm
You can definitely get them with regular stud closures on the bit end - I have a pair hanging beside me right now. Lovely reins, but they do look like rubber reins.
This thread makes me wonder why someone hasn’t come up with a laced rein that has a silicone or rubber lace instead of a leather lace. That would probably be subtle but grippy!
Hahahahaha! I’m sorry but I was wondering what tasteful rubber reins were!
I saw two gorgeous options at the trade fair at the Kentucky 4* event – Antares was one, and I believe D’yon may have been the other. They were beautiful and you’d never know that they are rubber-lined.
I also noticed these on the SmartPak website - looks like they aren’t laced so I’d have to see them in person to see if they would work for shows, but at a minimum it could be a good at home option, and it is eligible for the SummerPerk promotion https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/wellfleet-rubber-lined-reins-by-smartpak-14198
If you can have partial leather and partial rubberI love my Red Barn reins. The topside is leather - raised, fancy stitched OR flat (your choice) and the underside is rubber. I use these as my show reins and I get the grip of rubber and the conventional leather reins. No one can tell and I get compliments all the time on them.
Rules are pretty vague with USEF on this one. All it says is “Judges may penalize, but may not eliminate, a horse or pony that competes in a snaffle, pelham, or full bridle that is unconventional.” There is no mention about reins.
In the side saddle part of the rulebook, it specifically says “Rubber, laced, and plaited reins are not permissible,” but I am assuming the OP is probably not asking for a side saddle class.
Thank you @L00kAtMeN0w ! I’ve read through the US rules before but didn’t want to wade through them again :lol: They are explicitly mentioned in the Canadian rules and we tend to follow the US so I figured they were the same.
Try looking on Facebook tack pages for some of the Antares Reins-- I see good deals on them sometimes. I love mine and have shown at AA hunter classes without any comments on them! I can also speak for how they hold up in the heat-- think South FL summers, leaving it in the baking hot trailer after a long show… and they still are just as grippy and have not melted or warped like other, cheaper rubber reins!
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