About Our Horse Reins Range
Reins connect the rider's hands to the bit, carrying the subtle signals that guide a horse's speed, direction and outline. The right rein depends on your discipline, the weather you ride in, and how much grip and feel you want. Leather reins offer a classic look and refined contact, rubber and web reins prioritise grip, and training aids like draw reins and side reins serve specific schooling purposes. Getting the right length and width matters too: reins that are too long are hard to manage, while reins that are too thick can feel clumsy in smaller hands.
Leather Reins
Leather reins are the traditional choice for showing, dressage and general English riding. They offer a clean, elegant appearance and a direct, refined feel of the contact. Plain leather reins are standard for the show ring, while laced and plaited leather reins add grip without sacrificing the classic look. Quality leather softens with use and care, developing a comfortable feel in the hand over time. The trade-off is that smooth leather can become slippery in wet weather or with sweaty hands, which is why many riders keep a grippier pair for schooling.
- Plain leather - classic show ring choice with a refined feel
- Laced leather - leather laces add grip while keeping a traditional look
- Plaited leather - braided sections for extra grip, popular for showing
Rubber and Grip Reins
Rubber-lined reins have a layer of rubber bonded to the inner surface, giving a secure grip even in rain or when your hands are sweaty. They're the standard choice for jumping, eventing and cross-country, where reliable contact through changing conditions matters most. Full rubber reins offer maximum grip, while half rubber (or rubber-backed) reins combine a leather front for appearance with a rubber grip surface. Over time the rubber wears smooth and can be relined, extending the life of a good pair.
Web and Synthetic Reins
Web reins are made from durable woven fabric, often with leather hand stops sewn at intervals to help maintain a consistent rein length. They're lightweight, affordable, easy to clean and offer good grip, making them popular for everyday riding, Pony Club and riding schools. Synthetic reins resist water and are virtually maintenance-free, a practical choice for trail riding and wet conditions. Many web reins come in colours, which appeals to riders who want to coordinate their gear or make them easy to spot.
Training Reins: Draw Reins and Side Reins
Training reins are schooling aids designed to encourage a horse to work in a correct outline, and they should only be used by experienced riders or under instruction. Draw reins run from the girth, through the bit rings and back to the rider's hands, giving extra leverage to ask the horse to lower and round its frame. Side reins attach from the bit to the girth or roller and are used during lunging to teach the horse to accept a steady contact. Both are training tools rather than everyday riding reins, and incorrect use can cause a horse to become overbent or resistant, so they're best introduced with professional guidance.
- Draw reins - provide leverage for ridden schooling, used by experienced riders to encourage a rounder frame
- Side reins - attach to the girth or roller for lunging, teaching the horse to accept a consistent contact
- Vienna (lunging) reins - a sliding system used for lunging that allows more freedom than fixed side reins
Choosing the Right Reins
The best rein depends on what you ride and the conditions you ride in. For showing and dressage, plain or laced leather offers the right look and feel. For jumping and eventing, rubber grip reins give security through fast work and wet weather. For everyday riding, Pony Club and value, web reins are hardwearing and easy to care for. Consider width as well: thinner reins suit dressage and smaller hands, while wider reins offer more to hold for riders who want a fuller feel. Pony reins are available in shorter lengths and narrower widths to suit smaller riders and mounts.
Commoiny Questions About Horse Reins
Below you can read about our horse range questions we get asked.
What are the different types of horse reins?
The main types are leather (plain, laced or plaited) for showing and dressage, rubber grip reins for jumping and wet weather, and web or synthetic reins for everyday riding and value. There are also training reins such as draw reins for ridden schooling and side reins for lunging. The right type depends on your discipline and how much grip you need.
What is the difference between draw reins and side reins?
Draw reins are used while riding. They run from the girth, through the bit rings and back to the rider's hands, giving leverage to encourage the horse to lower and round its frame. Side reins are used during lunging and attach from the bit to the girth or roller, teaching the horse to accept a steady contact without a rider. Both are training aids that require experience to use correctly.
What length reins does my horse need?
Standard English reins suit most full-sized horses. Pony reins are shorter to prevent excess length getting in the way of smaller riders, and cob sizes sit in between. For dressage, slightly longer reins can help when riding on a longer contact. As a guide, when you hold the reins with a normal contact there should be a comfortable loop without the buckle end reaching past your knee.
Are rubber reins better than leather?
Neither is better overall; they suit different purposes. Rubber grip reins are more secure in wet weather and during fast work, making them ideal for jumping and eventing. Leather reins offer a more refined feel and a classic appearance preferred for showing and dressage. Many riders own both and choose based on the day's riding and conditions.
How do I care for leather reins?
Clean leather reins regularly with a damp cloth or glycerine saddle soap to remove sweat and dirt, then condition occasionally with a leather balm to keep them supple. Avoid soaking them or leaving them in direct heat, which can dry and crack the leather. Well-maintained leather reins soften with use and last for many years.
