[Berlunz]

I just got some rubber reins with my new english bridle. To be honest they have a much better grip to them. With gloves etc you might be able to get a better grip on leather reins but its hot here, I would die wearing gloves while riding, not to mention have an awful looking tan line from them. Considering how hot it gets here all the time I am assuming mine are good quality, they have not melted or given me any problems yet. I like leather ones as well, its much easier to let the reins "slide" through your hands if the horse trips that way. In my old bridle my horse tripped and went down on both knees while I was riding him bareback. He went about one step on his knees then was right back up into the canter. Weirdest experience ever. I felt him trip and gripped the reins but he went down anyways and I let the reins slide out of my fingers while he was on his knees so he could have his head, he came right back up without breaking momentum and we were off again. Obviously I let him go a few steps then halted and jumped off to look him over. But seat wise I didnt feel a thing, I was kind of like "woah did I just sit that without even a bounce or slide?". But with rubber reins I couldnt have let my reins just slide through either.

I know sometimes when I jumped wrong and feel like I am going to snatch in the mouth I just let the reins slide since my horse hates getting caught in the mouth on accident. I know he isnt going to bolt so I have no issue with just letting him have his head if I think holding on is going to grab his mouth.

[bdrcol22]

Originally Posted by Heavenly Jumper

I think for someone wanting grip, these would be soft and grippy. Without going to rubber.

These are my favorite.. My old bridle had them, and I would love to get a set that would go with a Pessoa bridle. Hard to find them in the lighter color though.

[Rhythm 'n Blues]

Ildwild - have you tried cotton reins?? I REALLY love cotton reins, they are my #1 fav rein. I've had mine for over 8 years and although they might not look in show ring condition, I just love them! I should mention that for showing (Dressage) I switch my reins to either laced or braided (whatever I have at the time) 1 week before the show, so that we're both use to the feel......well that's what I use to do when I was showing.

Laced reins, I can't stand cleaning - you can never get all the dirt and grim out from around the "lace" and the reins pictured above (they are actually called braided reins) are really nice, but you end up with the same problem as laced reins when cleaning. I dunno about everyone else, but I don't have time to spend 2hrs cleaning just my reins!

I wouldn't mind a pair of leather reins with leather stoppers along the reins. I've ridden in a pair of those, and while they are not as soft on the hands as cotton reins, they are nice.

Rubber reins (not the rubber in-lay ones) are just way to bulky for my liking. I have a pair, and when I was younger, I would use them through the winter months because I could feel and grip better when I was wearing the thickest winter gloves (I use to live way up north in Ontario, and the indoor was COLD). Now I'm southern Ontario and don't have that problem anymore

[idlewild]

Originally Posted by Rhythm 'n Blues

Ildwild - have you tried cotton reins?? I REALLY love cotton reins, they are my #1 fav rein. I've had mine for over 8 years and although they might not look in show ring condition, I just love them! I should mention that for showing (Dressage) I switch my reins to either laced or braided (whatever I have at the time) 1 week before the show, so that we're both use to the feel......well that's what I use to do when I was showing.

I have a pair of cotton web reins with stops on my dressage bridle. I honestly just don't like them. I don't know if they are what you are talking about. The web combined with the stops chafe and blister my hands. I can handle it if I ride with gloves. But I'm currently saving up for some black rubber reins for my dressage bridle.

Though, I will say that I can't stand cheap rubber reins, the kind that crack and fall apart. They gotta be soft and flexible. But I just love the extra little "bulk" there. I know some people like the thinner reins, but I'm honestly the opposite, I like to have a good thick rein that I can really get a good grip on. That's just me

[superhorse]

I generally prefer leather but I found a cool pair of rubber rainbow reins that I just had to have.

[JumpingBean]

A good pair of rubber reins won't melt. Even mine, which are lower end ($30) don't melt or peel. They are bulkier than a higher quality set of rubbers, but still workable. I ride them barehanded and don't have a problem.

I love the feel and classy look of soft leather reins, although the leather gets slippery on course. I have a nice butter-soft set that just coils right into my hand, and I like to use them when I am flatting during the week.

[Erika]

Definitely leather for me; although one of the bridles I use has some really good quality rubber reins on it, and they are lovely and much easier to grip. One of the other bridles I ride in has one set of flat reins and one [cheaper quality] set of rubber reins on it. The rubber reins on that are not so nice; and I would use leather over them any day. They are not very 'bendy,' if you will, and are difficult to maneuver. But with my horse who pulls and gets heavy on the forehand, having the reins that are easier to grip is nice.

Also, one of the old trunks at the barn had a pair of rubber reins in it that melted all over EVERYTHING in the trunk. It was so disgusting, and ruined a lot of nice stuff. Luckily with much persistence I was able to save a few bits! Haha.

[imjustjoking22]

Welll... I have leather reins with rubber woven in and they are awesome!