western reins

[RoxR]

Can you give me some advice?

When I was at our first western clinic we were talking about western tack and the instructor said that I could manage with english saddle for a while but I should try to get some western reins as they are heavier than my english ones and will provide a better contact on a looser rein.

The cheapest reins I could find are about £20 - and those are to be imported from America! I don't mind spending that but as I am still hoping to get a saddle in the next couple of months, I would rather wait so I can get a bridle to match the saddle.

I had a thought - could I use rope lead reins for the time being? I could clip them to the bit and then cross them to fall down the sides of the horse's neck in the same way as long split reins. Do you think the weight would be appropriate?

Thanks!!

[Epona UK]

Well, speaking for myself,, I have a bridle that I keep for work, saving the posh one for shows and stuff. My work bridle has lovley heavy harness leather reins, which are wonderful for schooling and riding out.
I think that you'll find the lead ropes not only too light, but also a bit short, my reins are about 8ft long !! Give Janet Weston a ring at the Western Department, she will send you some reins in the post. O yes, a little tip, when you first use them, they will seem like at least 50ft of spaghetti, do yourself a favour and get one of those rubber martingale stops from your local tack shop, thread the reins through from opposite sides, this will enable you to change the length easily, but at the same time, grips them slightly so you don't end up dropping one in a moment of crisis !!

[RoxR]

:D

That's an excellent tip!!! I like it - 'cos we do tend to have moments of crisis - lots of them, in fact!!

I'm just finding it a bit hard to get used to the fact that western equipment is so much more expensive than the english stuff these days. When I first started riding twenty years ago, things were expensive - I remember the cheapest bridle we could get was over £20 - that was a lot 20 yrs ago! Then coming back to riding a few years ago I was amazed at how prices were so much cheaper for everyday things - I paid £12 for a bridle. I'm not counting the top quality stuff, but just everyday things. Now I'm looking to western I'm finding that things aren't so cheap! To others they might not appear expensive but on my limited budget I definitely have to plan what i can get and when!

Never mind, I'll get there - gradually!!!

:D