western reins anyone?

[partita]

[QUOTE=goodhors;8813432]
I don’t care for weighted reins. Weight adds swing as horse walks and trots on a loose rein. I think movement is irritating on the mouth, he learns to ignore the swing so horse “does not hear you” when reins get lifted, shifted, in signaling him. [/QUOTE]
But isn’t this the whole purpose? The horse is supposed to feel it when you start to take the swing OUT of the reins or slobberstrap. They feel that change. It’s supposed to be subtle.

I use long split reins for trailriding. I like the 3/4", 8’ long, which are hard to find. They are nicely weighted. They also have a buckle end, which I prefer. Easy to switch out bridles.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

[QUOTE=NoSuchPerson;8811959]
If all you’re going to be doing is trail riding and you’re used to English reins, you’ll probably be most comfortable using the one-piece trail or barrel reins. They come in leather or rope, use whichever feels best in your hands.

The problem I have with those is that they all seem to have one or both ends connect to the bit with scissor snaps and they just give me the willies because I’m convinced that the snaps are going to pop open and come loose from the bit. Yes, I know that’s irrational, but there you are.
.[/QUOTE]

Oh, no, not irrational. It took Conjure QH about a half-dozen rides to figure out how to pop open scissor snaps. Luckily we were in the arena when he tried to teach me to ride like Stacey Westfall.:eek:

[over60]

I have very arthritic hands and am concerned about dropping a split rein so I use the single roping or /barrel racing rein. PS - my wonderful Boy neck reins beautifully.