Stupid question about rein sizing

[Sticky_Situation]

So, my current horse is a 15.2ish Appendix. Horse size reins seem to be a bit too long for him, and I end up with a ridiculous amount of excess … However, in my brief online search for a slightly shorter pair of rubber reins, I have only been able to find “horse” and “pony” size reins, no “cob” ones. So, does anyone make a reasonably priced, cob size rubber rein? Just how much shorter are the “pony” ones than the horse size? Am I going to have to take some horse sized ones and have someone shorten them up?

I know it seems like a trivial question, but my other horses have always seemed to work in horse size reins, so I’ve never needed cob reins before… Thanks!

[Winding_Down]

reins vary in length so I would measure what you have and then go online and search for some that are shorter. I do know that cob sized bridles typically come with reins that are shorter than horse sized. Have you checked reins on Dover and Smartpak and looked at the length of the reins? I would be surprised if you could not find some that are shorter than what you have.

[fordtraktor]

I have a 15.2 TB and I can easily ride him in pony reins. They are a nice size for him. His neck is not particularly short, either.

[Janet]

Go by the actual LENGTH of rhe reins (in inches) rather than the NAME (Horse, cob, pony).

Lots of variation within each name.

[Winding_Down]

[QUOTE=Janet;8202252]
Go by the actual LENGTH of rhe reins (in inches) rather than the NAME (Horse, cob, pony).

Lots of variation within each name.[/QUOTE]

@Winding Down;8202201

reins vary in length so I would measure what you have and then go online and search for some that are shorter. I do know that cob sized bridles typically come with reins that are shorter than horse sized. Have you checked reins on Dover and Smartpak and looked at the length of the reins? I would be surprised if you could not find some that are shorter than what you have.

Absolutely, this is the case. Measure your reins and then go from there.

[amastrike]

If you have reins that you like, it might just be easier to take them to a leather repair place and have them shortened.

You could also try contacting Bartville Harness and ask about having custom length reins made. Oh, and you’re in PA, so if you’re close enough you could just stop in.

[cuonxc]

I ride a pony…and it is hard to find nice (non-laced) pony reins. I just get mined shortened -I use Barrington Saddlery.

[subk]

Just put a knot at the buckle.

The weakest point in your reins is the buckle where they come together. If you’ve ever seen someone have to retire on XC because they slipped their reins and they snapped at the buckle you would do what I do and always ride with a knot over the buckle.

That knot is great for getting your reins back after a drop. If you’ve landed in the water and are looking at your next fence you don’t have to look down to find the knot! Reaching down and putting one hand on the knot, raising that hand toward your ear while with the other hand you grab the two reins at the neck is a most efficient way to do things.

Here’s one of my favorite photos of Colleen Rutledge and Shiraz jumping to the bottom of Capability’s Cutting at Burhgley (a moment to send up a prayer if there ever was one!) You can see the knot against her light colored breeches as she slips the reins. https://www.flickr.com/photos/thunderhorsestables/6444230137

I also love the knot for hacking. Walking on a free rein with my hand on the knot I can do the same thing for the bolt that comes when a deer steps out of the woods!

[goldenrow]

I use the Nunn Finer soft grip rubber reins in Pony size on everything from my 13-3 hand true pony, to my 16 hand TB. And I love them!

http://www.bitofbritain.com/Nunn-Finer-Soft-Grip-Pony-Rein-p/1041.htm

[Winding_Down]

[QUOTE=goldenrow;8202769]
I use the Nunn Finer soft grip rubber reins in Pony size on everything from my 13-3 hand true pony, to my 16 hand TB. And I love them!

http://www.bitofbritain.com/Nunn-Finer-Soft-Grip-Pony-Rein-p/1041.htm[/QUOTE]

These are definitely reins that you either love or hate. I loved them until I realized that I so often LOST/DROPPED them, probably due to the floppiness. After figuring that out, I hated them and sold both pairs to friends who love them.

[SonnysMom]

[QUOTE=amastrike;8202370]
If you have reins that you like, it might just be easier to take them to a leather repair place and have them shortened.

You could also try contacting Bartville Harness and ask about having custom length reins made. Oh, and you’re in PA, so if you’re close enough you could just stop in.[/QUOTE]
Bartville Harness’ 10% off sale is July 4th weekend. I just got my catalog. Chicken BBQ on Sat. Free with $50 purchase.

I have the opposite problem. Cob sized horse head, long neck so I generally cannot use the reins from my COB bridles.

[yellowbritches]

Funny, I preferred long reins on both Vernon (16h) and Toby (15.3h), so that I had plenty of rein to slip. I used 60" on both of them for my jumping bridles and it worked fine (I always tied a knot in my reins for xc). However, while both are short coupled, they have decent length of neck.

Do measure. 54" is pretty standard horse size. 52" seems to be cob, shorter is pony. Rubber pony reins that weren’t rainbow reins were a PITA to find, but Nunn Finer does make them if you ask for them. As I’m sure Bartsville does, too.

[kcmel]

[QUOTE=Winding Down;8202808]
These are definitely reins that you either love or hate. I loved them until I realized that I so often LOST/DROPPED them, probably due to the floppiness. After figuring that out, I hated them and sold both pairs to friends who love them.[/QUOTE]

I loved them until I had a jump lesson on a hot day and the sweat made them super slippery!

[fordtraktor]

I do like those Nunn Finer reins but they absolutely require me to wear sticky gloves like SSGs or something and I usually ride gloveless, so I put Thinline or leather reins on my daily use bridles. When the horses’ necks get sweaty I can’t hold on to the NF reins without gloves. With gloves they are fine, so weird! I guess they designed the material assuming everyone wears gloves all the time.

[cuonxc]

For those suggesting a knot…I don’t think you are riding a truly small horse

I have to have mine shortened or when my reins are the correct length my hands are not on the rubber - they are on the leather strip that attaches to the bit!
(FWIW I ride a 14.1 pony that is also short coupled)

[AKB]

Smartpak carries them. You are right to be concerned about reins which are too long. My daughter’s 15.2h horse was Xc schooling with her a few months ago. Her reins were short and her hands were fairly high on his neck, so there was a lot of loose rein. He tucks his knees pretty tightly when he jumps. As he jumped, he put his foot through the loop of rein. Fortunately, the bridle broke, and he was able to catch himself so they did not fall. Cantering around a Xc course without a bridle is not fun, but he behaved and stopped. I ordered the shorter reins.

[subk]

[QUOTE=cuonxc;8203470]
For those suggesting a knot…I don’t think you are riding a truly small horse :)[/QUOTE]
…and neither is the OP who says she is on a 15.2 Appendix.

[Highflyer]

I have a 15.1 TB and had issues with the end of the reins catching the saddle pad, even with the knot. I like the rubber Web reins with stops and had some 50" ones made at Bartville.

[jen-s]

AKB–That is SCARY!! Glad they were ok!

[AKB]

Yes, Jen-s, it was scary. The daughter tries to be safety conscious, but a hoof going into the loop made by the end of the reins was just not a possibility that either of us had considered. It was so fortunate that he is powerful and was able to break the bridle instead of falling on his face.