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Location: midwest mama | I run my horse in a Goostree Simplicity Gag and we are starting to make some faster runs. I feel like my reins are too long when I turn, but I'm not sure. How do you all adjust your reins?
Why? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368
| i love short reins! If its uncomfortable when im getting ready to go in because i have to lean forward a smidge to reach them, then they are perfect in my opinion!!  i feel like if i have too long of reins, then i don't sit up and ride..
im not sure theres one correct way..i feel its all on your personal preference and horse... you will have to experiment til ya get them just where you like them! Then don't let anyone touch them!
Edited by tuff5224 2014-06-06 7:41 AM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1032
Location: IL | With my Paint mare I have to ride very forward at all times, hands by her ears through a turn, to keep her momentum going because she's so ratey. So my reins on her are pretty short. Plus she has a short neck so it works well that I keep them short |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | when the horse is relaxed and standing, head level, when i reach my reins to my horn with little pressure it should be about an inch short of reaching the horn. i like them short because then i don't have 5 ft of reins to get organized before the next barrel. I also had a habit of pulling to my waist and not to my hip. Having reins to long really causes me to have issues in that area!
I am the girl with 10+ knots in my reins half of the time LOL |
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | It depends on the horse. I have my reins longer on my mare Bunny than I've had on anyone and it works. My other mare Lucy I keep them shorter, like a few inches from my horn when relaxed |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | I don't have a set length figured out yet... I usually will lope an exhibition and see where I think they are and then very, very slightly adjust accordingly.
My horse that I'm on now is so much longer/bigger than anything I've ever been on in the past and it really takes some getting used to... he also runs better for me when I stay off his head and just use the outside rein to help him get over for the next barrel. They have to be short enough that I have some control and not need to get too heavy handed, but also long enough that I'm not having to ride him Ed Wright style because I'm just not that aggressive with him just yet.
I also do all my off pattern riding in split reins so he's able to let his head down and I still have some reins for control. I wouldn't dare try to re-adjust my reins on a ride to ride basis.. and I really enjoy split reins for casual riding. |
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  Friendly horse swapper
Posts: 4122
Location: Buffalo, TX | Longneck...LOVE your little weenie in your picture!!!
For me, the reins depend on the horse. I have ridden horses that didn't need any help at all....you just throw them their head and I use long reins, but my mare JC was very aggressive and I wanted her to run hard, so I used a light bit, but then I had to use short reins to steady her or she would get away from you...every horse is different....if they feel long, then they are, just experiment until it feels natural to you...
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | Cindy Hamilton - 2014-06-06 10:21 AM Longneck...LOVE your little weenie in your picture!!!
For me, the reins depend on the horse. I have ridden horses that didn't need any help at all....you just throw them their head and I use long reins, but my mare JC was very aggressive and I wanted her to run hard, so I used a light bit, but then I had to use short reins to steady her or she would get away from you...every horse is different....if they feel long, then they are, just experiment until it feels natural to you...
Excellent advice.
It's different for everyone. |
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 The Worst Seller Ever
Posts: 4138
Location: Oklahoma | OldSchoolCowgirl - 2014-06-05 11:54 PM I run my horse in a Goostree Simplicity Gag and we are starting to make some faster runs. I feel like my reins are too long when I turn, but I'm not sure. How do you all adjust your reins? Why?
You also have to remember (I forget) the when you pull to turn with a gag, you instatly get 4-6 more inches in your reins than when your horse is at rest or warming up.
In those situations, I warm up in a longer set of reins than I run in. |
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 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | Rein length for me depends on the horse, their turning style and where they carry their head in a turn as well as their neck length. I have a really big mare that runs the turns with her nose out and low headed so I use ridiculously long reins on her, my gelding is long necked but runs the turn with a pretty nice collected head set, then my other mare runs and turns with a high neck and head set so on her my reins are ridiculously short and still seem to feel too long about the 2nd barrel. |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | Cindy Hamilton - 2014-06-06 10:21 AM Longneck...LOVE your little weenie in your picture!!!
For me, the reins depend on the horse. I have ridden horses that didn't need any help at all....you just throw them their head and I use long reins, but my mare JC was very aggressive and I wanted her to run hard, so I used a light bit, but then I had to use short reins to steady her or she would get away from you...every horse is different....if they feel long, then they are, just experiment until it feels natural to you...
Thanks! She's rotten.. but I don't think I could have her any other way now! She esp. loves warm towels fresh out of the dryer! |
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 Ms. Marine
Posts: 4641
Location: Texas | My reins are pretty short when I'm making a run. It's just easier for me that way and I feel more comfortable during the run not having a half mile of reins to deal with. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 233
| On my big gelding, I have to slide my hand down on my first and be extra careful not to neck rein him so his reins are longer. On my mare, my reins need to be super short because of her little neck and so I don't fumble them around while I use my long whip to move her shoulder. I warm up all my horses in split reins so I am not riding on their necks or constantly in their mouths. I think it depends on personal preference and the horse. |
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 More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | Cindy Hamilton - 2014-06-06 10:21 AM Longneck...LOVE your little weenie in your picture!!!
For me, the reins depend on the horse. I have ridden horses that didn't need any help at all....you just throw them their head and I use long reins, but my mare JC was very aggressive and I wanted her to run hard, so I used a light bit, but then I had to use short reins to steady her or she would get away from you...every horse is different....if they feel long, then they are, just experiment until it feels natural to you...
This. I was always told I need to shorten my reins. So I'm stupid and listen to everyone else. My new mare kept throwing her head up in the turns. I lengthened by reins and stay out of her way. She's no longer throwing her head up. I ignore people that now tell me I should shorten my reins.
I do have a big gelding that is fun to run poles on. I have super short reins on him but you only need to hold the reins in one hand straight in front of you and let him do his thing. The other hand is free to hold on for dear life.
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 Veteran
Posts: 209
| I use longer reins on my mare, helps me stay out of her face and makes her happier. On my gelding I rode with short reins, just depends on the horse and how you feel! With my mare it took me a little bit to get used to the longer reins but it works for us! |
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 A Lady with Fight
Posts: 2701
Location: NC | My reins have to be pretty darn short, just because that's how hubby runs and guess who trained my pony? LOL
He has to have that outside rein on his neck coming off the third or he blows off wide. And short reins make me get more forward to stay off his face. I can't ride around with them, or I would be in two-point constantly. I have a running bit/headstall with its own reins and a working bit/headstall with split reins.
I only ride with one piece reins when I'm running. All slow work is done in split reins and my working bit. |
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Location: midwest mama | Thanks for the replies.
Anyone else? |
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Opinions On Rein Length When You Are Making a Run