And if you\u2019ve ever had them break(like I did at a barrel race once), you\u2019ll know just how necessary they can be!
\nBut what type of reins are best for you and your horse? If you ride Western, you have four
\nstandard options:<\/p>\n
Split Reins<\/strong> The rider can hold split reins in a variety of ways, but the traditional \u201cpistol grip\u201d is used in Romal Reins<\/strong> With romal reins, one hand is used to hold the reins and cue the horse, while the other hand Roping Reins<\/strong> Mecate Reins<\/strong> Young horses in training are often ridden in a bosal and mecate reins, and some people may Mecate reins are usually held in two hands.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" And if you\u2019ve ever had them break(like I did at a barrel race once), you\u2019ll know just how necessary they can be! But what type of reins are best for you and your horse? If you ride Western, you have four standard options: Split Reins When most people think of Western riding, they probably think…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":38388,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[63],"tags":[197,194,199,198,200,195,196],"class_list":["post-38387","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-riding","tag-mecate-reins","tag-reins","tag-romal-reins","tag-roping-reins","tag-split-reins","tag-western-reins","tag-western-riding"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nWhen most people think of Western riding, they probably think of split reins. Usually made from
\ntwo strips of leather of varying length and width, split reins are used for training as well as
\nevents like Western pleasure, horsemanship, reining, and cutting.<\/p>\n
\ncompetition. This is where both reins are held in one hand, with the index finger between the
\nreins. The \u201ctrainer\u2019s hold\u201d or \u201cbridge\u201d is made by crossing the reins over each other and laying
\none rein on each side of the horse\u2019s neck. The rider then holds one rein in each hand or both
\nreins in one hand.<\/p>\n
\nRomal reins come from the traditional Spanish vaquero style of riding. They are usually made
\nfrom rawhide and consist of two parts: the reins and the romal, a single piece that connects to
\nthe reins. The romal usually has a strip of leather on the end, called a \u201cpopper\u201d and was
\ntraditionally used to move cattle.<\/p>\n
\ncontrols the romal. This style of reins is more popular on the West Coast, often used for reining
\ncow horse competitions, as well as for trail riding and several other events.<\/p>\n
\nRoping reins consist of a single piece that attaches to the bit or hackamore on each side.
\nThey are typically made of leather, braided nylon, or cotton. Though they are called \u201croping
\nreins\u201d, they are used for all types of speed events including barrel racing.
\nIn competition, roping reins are usually kept short and held with one hand.<\/p>\n
\nMecate reins are usually used with a bosal, the traditional hackamore of the Vaquero tradition.
\nThis type of rein is made of horse mane or tail hair, mohair, or nylon and comes in several
\ndifferent thickness options. Mecate reins come as one long piece, making a loop around the
\nhorse\u2019s neck and attaching at the bottom of the bosal. However, one long piece is left which is
\nused as a lead rope that is tied to the saddle horn while riding.<\/p>\n
\neven trail ride in them. Young horses can also be shown in bosal and mecate reins in certain
\ndisciplines.<\/p>\n