Posted by admin | Posted in tack | Posted on 07-12-2009
Tags: barrel reins, barrel reins for sale, martha josey barrel reins, nylon barrel reins, turquoise barrel reins
Split reins... pros and cons? Tips?
I personally despise split reins. I've always been using barrel or roper reins, and whenever I have to ride with split reins, I feel I become a worse rider. I feel like I have less control and less contact with the horse's mouth no matter how tightly I keep the reins.
So I'd like to here your opinions, pros and cons, and if you could, some tips on using split reins.
So far from the answers and my own thinking this is what I've figured. I still need some opinions of people who like split reins.
Pros:
-Western Pleasure look.
-Easier to use a martingale with.
Cons:
-Bothers the horse when it hits their sides.
-If too long the horse can trip over them.
-Very little contact with the horse.
-One always seems to be longer than the other.
-Easier to drop and loose.
Pros:
-Easier to neck rein with (some people think).
Pros:
-Less contact with the mouth, better in shows.
Still, I don't have any tips for using them. If you could add some please...
Split reins are like every other piece of equipment - they take time to get used to.
Pros - 1)you can easily adjust the length of them for various horses by simply moving your hands. I have some large, long low neck carriage horses and most roper reins are too short for them.
2)You can show with them - roper reins are not legal in WP or equitation classes.
3)You can use the end to spank a young horse on the butt if he needs a tap, similiar to how you'd use a crop.
4)You can easily take them up and down, they give you extra length when leading a goofy horse or going through a tough spot such as a narrow gate.
5)You can hold them various ways depending on the style you're riding. If you are neck reining they are held in one hand and the drape falls over the same side of the neck as the hand you're using. You can also use the same reins for direct reining with a snaffle bit.
6)The extra length means you can still hold the rein when mounting without pulling on your horse's mouth. This can be tough with a large horse and a smaller roper rein. The extra length makes it easy to get a nice drape in the rein, it doesn't have to be carried snug.
7)If one is broken you don't have to replace both reins. And if they break close to either end you can mend them and the length will still allow them to be usable.
8)They should not cause you to struggle with control of your horse. You simply need to practice moving your hand up and down the rein. If you stick to it for a week or two you can become very sensative and find it much easier to adjust than you do now.
Disadvantages
1)They can be dropped if the horse stumbles or somehow pulls the reins from your hands. Alot of that can be prevented if you keep the reins crossed over their neck when riding two handed, that way if you do drop a rein its normally caught by the neck. If a youth is riding I suggest they tie a knot in the end so they are fastened together.
2)Sometimes you will have a pair that's too long, especially for a particular horse. If they are so long they drape almost to the ground, then get in there and shorten them! A pair of sharp scissors can do a fine job through most leather.
3)They don't work for roping or other jobs where you need your hands free at times.
I think you certainly can use either style of reins without any problems. But if you do decide that split reins are worth a try, then be aware that it will take a while before you become used to them. With time and practice they will become second nature to you.
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