I read in the “falling off horse on trail” that many of you find split reins easier to hang onto in event of a fall. Just curious why? I am moving from english to western, but use rope reins. I haven’t come off yet, but when I did with my english reins, I always seemed to be holding them while on the ground. I actually worry more that I would drop split reins…
I don’t use them much anymore, but if you ride with long enough split reins (i like 8’ reins on a typical QH, in a 5/8" width, so pretty heavy), you can cross them over the horse’s neck. Should you lose one rein, it’s lying there on his neck to grab…and In the event of an unplanned departure, you have 8’ to work with and hang onto, rather than a closed loop without much wiggle room. Dismounted, I would typically loop the right rein around the horn once, and just lead with the left rein.
1 Like
I ride exclusively in 8’ split reins. They are nice because you can cross them over the horse’s neck and if you drop one, it lands on the horse’s neck. You can also reach back and use them to tap the horse on its hind quarters if you have one that balks, etc. The length is also nice to get the horse to relax and lower their head and neck.
I find roping reins to be too short. They are much shorter than English reins.
1 Like
I think it’s a personal preference thing. I am not a fan of split reins- I use a heavy duty yacht rope reins that I attach to the bit with scissor snaps (aka break point)
Hi Cutter! I am using rope reins rather than roping reins – maybe i should have just said continuous rein – but mine are about 8 feet, about the same length as english reins. Do the split reins stay if you come off in a spook? Do they stay put if horse ducks and wheels around?
I don’t have any issues with losing them since I ride with them crossed over and actually have both reins in both hands. I don’t think I have ever lost one carrying them this way, and I’ve been riding this way for a long as I can remember.
I am a confessed rein snob. I have tons of high quality leather reins that are all 3/4" X 8’ or 8 1/2’. They all have a really great “feel” to them and drape very nicely to make a pretty picture when showing. That being said, about 3 years ago, I started using biothane tack for every day use. I live in the South and my leather tack molds quickly and badly in a matter of days. I ordered headstalls, breast collars and reins from Taylored Tack, and absolutely love them. The reins have a great feel that is very similar to good leather, and I can wash them down with water after every ride. Every rein I own has a slobber strap tied with a leather lace, so there is a break point.
I agree with the above, if the reins are long enough as in 8 feet on a typical quarter horse, and a heavier weight as mentioned above, they just sit in your hand or lay on the neck in a way that is pretty secure. I’m a rein snob too, and I hate a 7-foot rein and I hate little thin flimsy Western reins… They are awful to try to hang on to. My reins are attached with water ties so if a horse were to get rid of me and step on a rein it would break at the water tie. If you ride an up headed horse you may have a harder time figuring out the right length of rein for that horse.
https://www.schutzbrothers.com/8-5-8-Harness-Leather-Teardrop-Split-Rein
1 Like
If split reins are used crossed over the neck, two handed, with both reins in both hands – there really isn’t much difference between that and a continuous rein, right? Other than the ability to lead with one rein?
We have a friend whose horse was in a lake and got his leg caught up in closed reins and drowned. Freak accident, yes. I currently have English reins on my bridle but will likely be switching back to my split reins. They both have their pros and cons, but I think I prefer split reins. I do like having the end of a rein to encourage a balky horse.
It’s definitely a preference thing. I prefer the length and weights of my split reins over a continuous rein. And I like having the extra options they offer.
A few years ago, I was riding in our arena and my horse did not notice the calves hiding in the bushes in the north fence line the 1st 5 or 6 times we went by. But the next time when another horse saw them and spooked, my guy did too. He jumped straight to the side and I landed on my feet, in our original path to the left of my horse with the left rein in my hand and the right rein neatly draped over his neck.
You can use the tail as a whip aid
You can feed tons of slack to let them grab a snack and not worry you’ll drop the reins
you can smack horseflies with the tail, too 
1 Like
I have split reins and perhaps I should try them again – I have to admit that with continuous reins I worry they could step through them or otherwise have a wreck when I am dismounted. I do have a balky horse and carry a small bat tucked into my gullet…a split rein would be a plus there. So many choices, so little time, lol!
1 Like
Interesting.
I usually ride with English reins and because they have a pretty flimsy buckle rather than being continuous I would expect them to break there immediately if a horse got caught up in them.
All my life I’ve tied a knot in Western split reins. Just thought that was what you did :). I should see if I can ride with them truly split with my hackamore.
The instructions for falling off a horse in English World are to not get caught up in the reins and let go and roll away from the horse. The assumption is you are most likely coming off at speed over a jump in the arena so catching a horse is not the issue.
And chances are, you were also pulling on your horse’s mouth while you were lying on the ground. Continuous reins are just not long enough to do that.
Now, not to say that folks are “perfect” when holding onto a split rein when they fall off but b/c you have more length, you would be less likely to jerk on your horse’s mouth when you hit the ground.
No, they are split (and not attached to anything) so they are eventually going to “fall off” if you have them draped over the horse’s neck, if the horse loses the rider and runs on home. And the horse will probably step on them in the process and break them as they are running home, if they are leather.
Of course, I would prefer that to a horse that gets a continuous rein over their head (easily can happen if they stop and put their head down, and then continue) and possibly get their front feet tangled in the rein. If it’s leather, it will break. But if it’s nylon or something else, you could create a real bad wreck for your horse.
You can ride two handed with a continuous rein.
You can ride two handed with split reins.
OR
You can ride one handed with a continuous rein.
You can ride one handed with split reins.
So no – there is no difference in the way you can ride your horse based on what reins you have. You can lead the horse the same too.
The only difference, IMO, is it’s much easier to hold onto a single split 8 foot rein if I happen to be laying on the ground next to my horse… Obviously, I prefer split reins for the majority of my riding.
There’s nothing wrong with continuous reins – I just don’t think they have as many advantages as split.
For endurance riding, i used the continuous rein. I didn’t have to worry about physical or mental fatigue and accidentally dropping a rein, it just fell on the neck, plus with the horses i rode, i was constantly trying to slow them down, so had a lot of slack left, had i been using 8ft split reins, they’d be dragging the ground, getting stepped on or wrapping around legs.
I now ride cutting horses, so am split reins only, but i still occasionally use a continuous rein if i go on a long trail ride.
Closed reins need not be short. The standard for the M1909 Cavalry headstall was a closed curb rein (stitched) of 10 feet 7 inches and bradoon rein (closed with a buckle) of just about an inch longer.
Split reins are useful some some tasks, less so for others. Ditto for closed reins. IMO at the end of the day is a “Coke vs. Pepsi” issue.
G.
I used to ride almost exclusively in split reins, whether I was riding one handed or not. After a while, I just found the length and such cumbersome and annoying. I switched to a continuous rein. This one: https://www.jefferspet.com/products/schutz-brothers-quiet-control-reins
I still use them on my snaffle bridle 3+ years later. They’re awesome. Long with good feel. I’m trying to remember if I’ve ever fallen off with those reins specifically… but I can’t.
For a long time, I exclusively used mane hair mecate on a hackamore. Nothing compares. I should get slobber straps so I can use them with my snaffle bridle. Length is completely adjustable— however long or short you want. Incomparable feel. And you have the extra “get down rope” length that you can tuck (tuck, not tie. You don’t want dragged :p) in your belt or belt loop so you have a lead rope if you get down or fall. Have fallen in that setup. More than once. 
I can’t use split reins anymore. They just feel dead in my hands and I feel disconnected from my horse’s mouth. I use romals if I’m in a one-handed bit.
I don’t use split reins. I use yacht/rope reins. When I’m asking my horses to step over obstacles on trail or if I’m coming down a rocky, technical trail I give my horses the reins so they can see where they want to put their feet. What you see in the show ring is not realistic to what you see out on the actual trail. There’s been times where I’ve intentionally dropped the reins or let my horse have them in a split second that would take too long for split reins. If you do ride with split reins, I’d at least tie them at the end. Why would you want to worry about an equal rein length when you want to enjoy the trail?
I wouldn’t pick your preference on reins based on how people fall off. You really shouldn’t hold on to your horses mouth as you fall off. Sometimes it happens as a reflex. My personal preference would be reins that are tied or connected at the end and use a “Booma-Rein” that attaches to the pommel of the saddle. If your horse got loose you wouldn’t have to worry about them tripping or stepping on reins.
Well, I am in a yacht rope mecate now, with slobber straps. I can adjust how much rein vs how much lead, but mainly I like the weight of the slobber strap. They are tooled and thus a bit heavier than normal. However, the point about coming off and having the horse step through yacht rope reins is worrisome, I am not sure these slobber straps would break.
I have always had my own “booma-rein” (an REI buckle strap that I tie onto a buck strap, or now, the rope strap on my wade saddle), but I never attached it when riding, just when resting. People ride with that attached? hmmm… maybe I should be checking that thing out a bit more…
Mane hair mecate – aren’t those the really scratchy ones?
I don’t find mane hair to be scratchy, but some people think it feels weird. Tail hair is pretty scratchy.
2 Likes
