Rein length issues in the jumper ring.

[Calvincrowe]

Do I need to get shorter reins? My horse is a bit short necked (Paint/TB), and when we start on course in the jumpers, the bight of my reins can hang past my stirrup. I’m afraid my foot is going to be caught in them or something. They are plain laced “hunter bridle reins”. I need narrow reins for my freakishly small hands (my trainer jokes they match my tiny head–smallest helmet size here!).

When we flat or as soon as we stop jumping, the reins are a fine length. Am I worried over nothing or should I get some cob length reins? Or?

[jen-s]

I’d absolutely go shorter. Hanging below your stirrups sounds like a recipe for disaster!

[hunter51]

^Agreed. Shorter reins can’t hurt, granted they’re not so short they’d affect your flatwork but I highly doubt that would be the case.

[batman_the_horse]

If you like the reins you have, you local leatherworker or cobbler can probably shorten them a bit. This may alleviate the problem of having to find specifically thin reins to suit your hands.

[pryme_thyme]

Absolutely shorter! I have a mare with a longer neck and I just recently purchased shorter reins. I find it much more comfortable.

Plus, I have a bad habit of being too ‘soft’ with my hands and letting the rein slip. The shorter rein gives me a visual to make sure I don’t let them slide or there will be nothing left.

I have a bit of a fear now of my feet getting caught in things. A couple years ago someone had tied hay twine on top of the arena wall ledge, about mounted foot height, I assume to hang a hay net, I was cantering by, my mare tripped and brushed the wall, my foot got stuck and WHAM, I stayed, face met wall, horse kept going. Ironically, 3 days before my wedding. Ha but that’s another story.

[KateKat]

I would definitely get some shorter reins!

[Calvincrowe]

Okay–survey says: shorter reins. Yippee, another trip to the tack shop :)!

[pryme_thyme]

If your anything like me. Hide your credit card!
I cannot leave a tack shop without swiping that beautiful shiny plastic!

[Calvincrowe]

Believe me, Pryme, I suffer from that same compulsion! I just bought new Volant boots and a Tipperary Eventer vest. That hurt. My pocketbook that is! I just wish it weren’t a 45 minute drive through Portland traffic to a good tack shop. Le sigh.

[Outyougo]

Two options

Tie the “bight” into a knot–like race riders do

Go to the shoe maker get reins shortened

[Action42]

I second Out’s suggestions. Jockeys and eventers alike tie the end of the reins in a knot to shorten them temporarily.

[IvyHall]

I have the same problem. My almost 16.2 hand TB has a short neck and back. He flats in a lovely medium frame and rein length isn’t an issue but when we jump he lifts his head and gets a bit strong. It doesn’t help that I jump him in an elevator so when I pull back the reins get even longer.

I was once galloping towards a big triple bat and the reins got stuck under my stirrup. Thankfully I got them loose in time to release over the jump.

Now I jump in pony reins

[Heineken]

I buy pony length jumper reins for that exact reason. Trick I learned from my trainer’s daughter and I feel MUCH safer!