I’m looking to switch to romel/romal reins for trail riding and local shows. I don’t want to spend a fortune and don’t need any silver ferrules. I would prefer braided leather as opposed to flat reins or ones made of nylon or horse hair. Any recommendations? TIA
What are you wanting to spend?
Are you meaning braided rawhide?
http://www.customrawhide.com/cgi-bin/store/agora.cgi?cart_id=6935155.24043*g654a4&xm=on&product=RRWC
I’d like to stay under $200. Yes, braided rawhide is what I’ve been looking at.
Riding Warehouse has some rolled leather ones for $65 http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Bar_H_Chestnut_Romel_Romal_Reins_9/descpage-BHCRR.html?gclid=CPy7z-eB99ACFYa4wAoduOkBDw
These are both under $200 and decent enough looking for the low price. I’d imagine they’re imports.
http://buckaroobusinesses.com/product/romal-reins-8-plt-oklahoma/
http://buckaroobusinesses.com/product/romal-reins-8-plait-california/
I have some nice braided rawhide. 165.00 shipped. I can send you a pic with your email address. I also have some fancier ones in the 200.00 range.
I’ve got two sets that I got second-hand - one braided natural rawhide, and one chocolate brown braided leather with silver ferrules. I like the stiffness of the rawhide better, but really like the weight the ferrules give. So I guess my perfect romels would be rawhide with weighted ferrules. The knots/buttons on the rawhide ones are nice and all, but just not hefty enough.
Just my two cents!
I have a few pairs too. One, my “kick arounds” and two, some super nice but not silver “dress ups.” My horse just died…was thinking of listing them. Let me know if you would like pics.
From experience…
Sewing machine belt romels can get a limp and loose their life plus I find them to be too light unless someone braids a pile of buttons on them to give them some weight.
Nothing wrong with some of the Mexican import reins. I have had good luck with the Jose Ortiz reins you can find on ebay in the $300+ range. Price range will also range due to plait, so an 8 plait isn’t going to bring a whole lot compared to a 16 even braided by a more well know braider.
Core makes a difference too just like bosals for feel, Wright and balance.
I show most of my horses in very expensive romels, so needed to find some good quality ones for every day schooling. My students and I all love these:
http://www.kotrading.com/h550-berlincustomleatherstitchedromelreins.aspx
Can anyone tell me how to tell how many plaits there are in my romels? One of my pair, the super nice one, seem to have a lot…I am getting ready to sell them and need to know. Thanks!
