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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Review: Bobby's Tack Rubber Reins

9/13/2016

 
This is definitely a little premature as I've only used the rubber reins three times. Other than not knowing a thing about their longevity, I can say that there really wasn't anything that I disliked about them. After reading the comments on my post about needing new reins, it seems that I am in a minority when it comes to my rein preference. So why do I like rubber reins when most everyone else gives them the stink eye?
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Bobby's Tack Rubber Reins
I actually like a couple of different rein styles. It really depends on which horse I am riding and what we're doing. For trail riding on Speedy, I love my beta reins. They're extra long so that he can graze while I still hold the reins comfortably. They're impervious to sweat, and they clean up with a quick dunk in a bucket of water. I have two pair of them.
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From left to right: leather on the top/rubber underneath (never used); three pair of web reins with button stops (last pair never used); Wintec rubber reins; beta English reins with buckle ends; plain leather reins (never used); still in the plastic web reins (never used). Please make me an offer (I'll entertain ALL offers) and any one of these can be yours!
For schooling Speedy in my dressage bridle (all three of them), I prefer laced reins. Speedy is light in the bridle, but in the past, I allowed the reins to slide through my fingers. With the web reins, I found that the ideal length was always between two buttons, but the reins would invariably slide to the next button stop. Laced reins were easier for me to hold so now they're what I prefer.
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Speedy's spare bridles are stored at home. Both of them have laced reins attached.
As for riding Izzy, thick, rubber reins have been my preference from the beginning. Izzy's not nearly as light in the bridle as Speedy is. Sometimes he's fabulous, but most of the time, I feel much better having something thick and sturdy to hold on to. The rubber also keeps the reins from sliding through my fingers which is a good thing when you're riding a rocket on a string.

Bobby's rubber reins aren't as thick as the Micklem Rubber Reins, but they're a close second. I think I prefer the heft of the Micklem reins, but these aren't bad. The Micklem rubber was pimpled while Bobby's have more of a ropey look. I don't know if it is simply that my Micklem reins had worn out, but the new reins seem to be grippier.

The Micklem rubber reins I have came with hook ends which irritate me while Bobby's rubber reins came with buckle ends. I know they don't look as nice, but buckle ends are so much easier to undo for cleaning or bit swapping.

While the leather ends aren't luxurious, the quality of the leather wasn't too bad. I gave the leather a couple of bends back and forth and was happy to note that the leather didn't get that dry skin look. Even so, I gave the leather parts of the reins a quick wipe down with Passier's Lederbalsam.

​Bobby's rubber reins are also a good length. They're about 6 inches longer than the Micklem reins which is good as Izzy is a pretty big boy. I like that extra bit of room.
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Elinor, over at Dressage on a Dime, gave me the best idea. Did you know you can cut the rein stops off? I swear, this was a new idea to me; it never occurred to me to do that.

Will these last? I don't know, but since I don't hate them right off the bat, I'd buy them again.

So tell me: what is your rein preference?
Leah link
9/13/2016 05:57:53 am

I always cut the reins stops off, I hate them. But admittedly I'm a bit of an oddball! I really tried to like the rubber reins that came with my Micklem, but I'm ambivalent at best. I also had a pair of Thinlines (since everyone raves about those too) and I was pretty meh. I can't say I notice too much of a difference between my rubber, laced, or webbed reins. Maube that will change in the future? Althoughh I currently own significantly more bridles than reins, so your lot of reins is very tempting.....haha.

Jan link
9/13/2016 06:16:59 am

I hate, hate, hate thick reins. My hands feel dull and thick and slow and it's hard to make small adjustments. Keeping that in mind, I used to keep knots in my jump reins so I would have something thick to hold on to and squeeze because I couldn't be trusted not to get in Mikey's way or shorten the reins to way too short... so maybe thick reins would have been good for me for that!

For dressage, I prefer the web reins with nubs. If I end up halfway between, no worries, I use the further from the bit nub wedged against my thumb. I'd be interested in trying the rubberized web with nubs. Mikey's double bridle was interesting: I wanted each rein to have a very distinct feel, so I used regular web reins for the snaffle, and got 1/2in smooth leather with rubber backing (these were VERY hard to find at a reasonable price) for the curb. I don't care for thin reins, they bite into your hand if you have a heavy horse, but I wanted thin for the curb since I shouldn't be using it hard enough to bite my hand!

Sarah link
9/13/2016 06:47:27 am

I have laced reins on my english bridle and split woven reins with the leather poppers on my western headstall. I like the laced reins for the same reasons you do, I'm really bad about letting them slip through my hands (especially on a western pleasure minded long and low type horse who I'm trying to bring more uphill) and ride with them long.

I admittedly having tried rubber reins since lesson days as a kid, but I feel like heat+rubber+dusty environment made me less than a fan back in the day.

Carly
9/13/2016 08:56:25 am

I hate riding in anything but rubber reins. Everything else feels too slippery and thin to me. I still have my original Micklem reins on that bridle, and then I bought a pair of rubber lined reins for my dressage bridle to try to be a little more traditional looking. They're still nice and thick and grippy though.

jenj
9/13/2016 11:11:44 am

Reins with stops are basically impossible for me to use. I can only hold them on the stops - my brain refuses to use them any other way.

I'll take those plain leather reins off your hands, though, since they are my favorite!

Appydoesdressage
9/13/2016 11:54:44 am

Like braided reins but have been trying web reins. I use rubber reins for all my cross country stuff. I'll take the leather/rubber reins off your hands though, let me know how much you want for them (since, you know, I don't know anything about them to throw you a reasonable offer).

Marlane link
9/13/2016 01:48:50 pm

At the moment I am using very thin extra long smooth leather reins. They are the only reins that I have that are suitable to let my horse put his head down to snack on the trail with out pulling me out over his neck. Otherwise I love rubber reins for the grip and feel and being from England where leather gets slippery when wet I am used to this kind, and it is nostalgic for me being an exercise rider in my younger days.

Olivia link
9/14/2016 10:41:35 am

I like braided leather reins for my jumping/dressage bridle. Enough texture to grip, but thin in my hands/between my fingers. I do also love my beta reins for endurance.


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
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    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
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    About Izzy

    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
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